Since its inception in Viet Nam in 1985, the Kovalevskaia Award has been the first international award exclusively for female scientists, recognising outstanding contributions of women in scientific research and technology application, especially in natural sciences - a vital component of the knowledge economy.
Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Women’s Union, affirmed that beyond honouring outstanding female intellectuals, the prize has encouraged women’s participation in scientific research, thereby realising the Party and State’s policies on science and technology, and actively contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.
The award was a great honour and motivation that strengthened my determination to strive harder.
Professor Dr. Le Thi Thanh Nhan
Speaking at the gathering of Kovalevskaia Award recipients and the 2025 scholarships presentation, which was held in Ha Noi in April, Professor Dr. Le Thi Thanh Nhan - Deputy Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers, Ministry of Education and Training, and one of the youngest female scientists to receive the prize in mathematics in 2011 – recalled that she was an Associate Professor and Vice Rector of the University of Science under the Thai Nguyen University when she received the award.
“The award was a great honour and motivation that strengthened my determination to strive harder,” she said.
In 2015, Nhan became Viet Nam’s second female mathematics professor, and in 2016, I was appointed Rector of the University of Science.
“Graduating from a university in a disadvantaged mountainous area, I still achieved success because I dared to dream and pursue my goals. I hope my efforts can inspire students, especially female students,” she stated.
 |
| Delegates at the gathering of Kovalevskaia Award recipients and the 2025 scholarships presentation in Ha Noi in April 2025 (Photo: phunuvietnam.vn) |
For her part, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Ha, former Head of the Environmental Technology Department, Faculty of Environment, University of Science under the Viet Nam National University, receiving the 2018 Kovalevskaia Award was not only an honour but also a great responsibility for the female staff of the Environmental Technology Department.
After receiving the award, Ha and her colleagues continued to work on projects which focus on utilising suitable technologies to treat water contaminated with acid sulfate and salinity to provide clean water for disadvantaged and water-scarce areas in the Mekong Delta. They also researched the application of simulation software to optimize existing waste treatment systems, and joined projects analysing and assessing environmental quality and pollutants such as microplastic pollution, antibiotic residues, and emerging contaminants.
Associate Professor, Doctor, and Heroine of Labour Nguyen Thi Tram, recipient of the 2000 Kovalevskaia Award, has devoted her life to research on rice cultivation. Her research outcomes have created dozens of high-yield hybrid rice varieties that have brought bountiful harvests.
She shared that agriculture in Viet Nam always faces many difficulties and challenges due to climate change.
“To build and develop a sustainable and stable agriculture, we need passionate agricultural scientists who are not afraid of difficulties, who explore and discover new ideas and innovations,” she stressed.
She noted with pleasure that the State has paid great attention to promoting innovation and applying science in all fields, thus calling on young researchers to improve their expertise and research skills to help integrate Viet Nam’s agriculture with the world.
The Kovalevskaia Award has become a symbol of the spirit of overcoming difficulties, creativity, and relentless dedication of female scientists, helping to narrow the gender gap in scientific research and technology in Viet Nam.
Former Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, Chairwoman of the Kovalevskaia Award Committee in Viet Nam, expressed her hope that the Kovalevskaia Award will provide greater support to female scientists, creating them with favourable conditions to fully develop their potential and contribute more to the fatherland.
The Kovalevskaia Award, named after the Russian mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaia, was launched in Viet Nam in 1985. It is the first national award for female scientists.
The prestigious annual award is given to organisations and individuals who are female scientists and have excellent achievements in research and applying science into life, bringing benefits in different fields including economy, society and culture.
Over the past 40 years, 22 collectives and 57 outstanding female scientists in various fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agriculture, medicine, and information technology have received this prestigious award.
