Vietnamese researchers win prestigious 2017 Newton Prize
Two Vietnamese researchers on November 16 were awarded the 2017 Newton Prize Vietnam for their project “Building a Foundation for Sustainable Development: Networked Societies for the Cities of Tomorrow” that addresses communicating during disasters.
Vietnamese researchers are awarded the 2017 Newton Prize (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Two Vietnamese researchers on November 16 were awarded the2017 Newton Prize Vietnam for their project “Building a Foundation forSustainable Development: Networked Societies for the Cities of Tomorrow” thataddresses communicating during disasters.
Dr.Trung Duong from the School of Electronics at Queen’s University Belfast, theUK and Dr Vo Nguyen-Son from the Faculty of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineering at Duy Tan University, Vietnam received 200,000 GBP prize money fortheir breakthrough – an integrated heterogeneous wireless system capable oftransmitting during extreme weather conditions, such as earthquakes, tsunamisor hurricanes.
Theaward was announced at a ceremony in Hanoi to celebrate the Newton ProgrammeVietnam, a collaborative development programme for science and innovationbetween the governments of UK and Vietnam launched in 2014.
Theprogramme aims to boost socio-economic development via science and innovation inVietnam. It offers funding opportunities for both Vietnamese and UK scientists,researchers and other stakeholders including science managers and innovativebusinesses.
Itfocuses on Vietnam’s prioritised areas – health and life sciences, agriculture,environment and energy, future cities and digital innovation and creativity.Activities focus on research capacity-buildingand fellowships, collaborative research projects on development challenges andtranslation, with training and partnerships to turn research into practicalapplications and development solutions.
Speakingat the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Khanh saidthe two countries have provided funding for five joint research projects, about2 million GBP from the Newton Programme and 20 billion VND (880,000 USD) fromthe Ministry of Science and Technology, since the programme was launched threeyears ago.
Khanhhoped that under the programme, Vietnam and the UK will step up collaborativeresearch in areas of mutual interest and foster innovative research, helpingstrengthen the two nations’ partnership and cooperation in science andtechnology.-VNA
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho wants to deepen education cooperation with the UK through overseas study, student and lecturer exchanges, and establishment of research institutes.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Vietnamese researchers are awarded the 2017 Newton Prize (Photo: VNA) 
