As part of the activities to mark the fest for those working in the science and technology sector, the annual award aims to acknowledge the efforts and success of the scientists who have made significant contributions to national socio-economic development.

This year, the main category of the Ta Quang Buu Award, named after famous scientist Professor Ta Quang Buu (1910-1986), was presented to Dr. Tran Dinh Phong, 37, from the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi and Assoc. Prof., Dr. Pham Van Hung, 44, from the Ho Chi Minh City International University. Dr. Do Quoc Tuan, 33, from the Hanoi University of Science under the Vietnam National University - Hanoi was presented with the prize for the outstanding young scientist.

The three winners’ researches were published in the world’s prestigious scientific journals and have great potential for application in practice.

Dr. Phong is the author of a scientific work in the physics field entitled “Coordination polymer structure and revisited hydrogen evolution catalytic mechanism for amorphous molybdenum sulfide,” published on Nature Materials in 2016. Dr. Hung is the author of a scientific work in the agrobiology field entitled “In vitro digestibility and in vivo glucose response of native and physically modified rice starches varying amylose contents,” published on Food Chemistry in 2015. Meanwhile, Dr. Tuan was honoured for his work in the physics field, namely “Higher dimensional nonlinear massive gravity,” published on Physical Review in 2016.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh (C) presents the Ta Quang Buu Award to Dr. Tran Dinh Phong (R) and Assoc. Prof., Dr. Pham Van Hung (L). (Photo: NDO)

Speaking at the award ceremony, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh emphasised that the Ta Quang Buu Award is an annual initiative by his ministry to honour outstanding scientists in basic scientific research, as well as the science and technology development in Vietnam.

Since its launch in 2014, the prize has received positive recognition from the scientific community as a prestigious and quality award. It has encouraged and motivated scientists and scientific and technological organisations towards high quality research in Vietnam, fostering the development of an academic, creative and innovative environment to promote the development of strong research teams to undertake research at an international level, Minister Anh stated.

After five years of implementation, the Ta Quang Buu Award has received 227 nominees, with 14 scientists having been honoured in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biology and Agriculture.

Dr. Do Quoc Tuan wins the prize for the outstanding young scientist. (Photo: NDO)

The Ta Quang Buu Award consists of one to three main prizes and one prize for young scientists (under 35 years old). The main prize-winning scientist receives a certificate from the Minister of Science and Technology and cash worth VND200 million, while the award for the young scientist is worth VND50 million.