Vietnamese agriculturalists recognised by Crawford Fund, Australia
Cooperation in agricultural research between Australia and Vietnam will be marked by a special event in Hanoi tonight. Seven leading Vietnamese agriculturalists will receive medals from the Crawford Fund, a prestigious Australian organisation, in recognition of their significant contribution to the capacity development in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.
The seven awardees that passed very strict selection criteria of the Fund are: Professor Le Viet Ly, former Vice Director of the National Institute for Animal Sciences; Professor Ha Minh Trung, Vice-President of the Vietnam Gardening Association, former Director of the Plant Protection Research Institute; Professor Cu Xuan Dan, former Rector of Hanoi Agriculture University; Madame Dao Thi Minh Chau, Head of Department for Ethnics and Religions, The Vietnam Women’s Union; Dr Le Thanh Luu, Director of Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1; Professor Le Dinh Kha, former Director of Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, the Forest Science Institute of Vietnam; and Dr Nguyen Van Bo, President of Vietnam Academy for Agricultural Sciences.
The awards will be presented this evening by H.E. Mr Allaster Cox, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam. Witnessing the ceremony are nine Australian agriculturalists from the Crawford Fund, many of whom have worked in Vietnam, representatives of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Australian Embassy, and representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, leaders of the related Vietnamese organisations and family members of the seven awardees.
The Hon. John Kerin, Chairman of the Crawford Fund, said: “Over the last 15 years, the Fund has supported Master Classes and Training Courses for over 600 Vietnamese scientists. This training has included Research Management Master Classes and course in fisheries, plant diseases, improved crop production practices and forestry”. The Crawford Fund is a non-profit, non-government organisation from Australia, dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of research to developing countries. The Fund often provides support to training associated with ACIAR funded projects.
Apart from the ceremony, the Crawford Fund group has a busy schedule in Vietnam, visiting Nghe An, Phu Tho and Lao Cai provinces, where the Fund has supported training and research activities in the past. The group will also seek opportunities to work with Vietnamese scientists for further development of research capacity in agriculture.
About seven Vietnamese agriculturalists
Professor Cu Xuan Dan, a former Rector of Hanoi Agricultural University, and researcher in animal science, had a critical leadership role in a pivotal stage of his University’s development. Professor Dan is recognized for his strategic vision, for fostering staff development overseas, as well as the development of international linkages and ACIAR projects. His graduates have had a key role in research and rural development.
Madame Dao Thi Minh Chau, currently Head, Department of Ethnics and Religions. The Vietnam Women’s Union, has made a quite remarkable contribution to the welfare of women especially those who are poor and belong to ethnic and religious minority groups. Madame Chau has facilitated crop and livestock improvement projects, helped restore traditional hand-crafts, and helped establish rural women’s clubs to enhance knowledge in health and child care.
Professor Ha Minh Trung, a former Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Research Institute, had a critical role in capacity building in plant protection in Vietnam and the implementation of ACIAR and other international projects. Professor Trung is recognized especially for his exceptional and continuing dedication to helping the farmers of Vietnam, now as Vice-President of the Vietnam Gardening Association.
Professor Le Dinh Kha, a former Director of the Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, is an outstanding researcher, supervisor and authority on tree breeding. Professor Kha was the leader of three ACIAR projects, and established one of the strongest centres under the Forest Science Institute of Vietnam. He continues to supervise graduate students and is active on advisory boards.
Prof Le Viet Ly, a former Vice Director of the National Institute of Animal Husbandry, was instrumental in establishing livestock systems research capability in Vietnam. Prof. Ly is also recognized for his leadership skills, for fostering international cooperation, his exceptional supervision of postgraduate students, and his enthusiasm for research in animal science and rural development.
Dr Le Thanh Luu, currently Director of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1, has had a critical role in shaping the development of aquaculture in Vietnam. Dr Luu is an exceptional research leader. He promoted a strategic vision for the development of aquaculture at the national level, was instrumental in establishing a Master’s program with Hanoi Agricultural University, and fosters international cooperation.
Dr Nguyen Van Bo, President of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Science, is a soil scientist with an exceptional record as a research leader, and as a research manager while Director General of the National Institute of Soils and Fertilizers. Dr Bo has a strategic vision for, and is dedicated to, enhancing research and training in agricultural science at the national level, as a crucial part of rural development. Furthermore he has long fostered international cooperation, and postgraduate training, and has been a member of the Advisory Board of ACIAR.