Vingroup Innovation Foundation not only inspires but also creates change in the culture of scientific research.
In the last days of 2024, VinIF Alumni Club - a network of young scientists receiving scholarships from Vingroup Innovation Fund (VinIF) - received good news when 4 members won the Golden Globe Science and Technology Award, reviewed by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
More than financial support
Becoming the owner of the Golden Globe, Dr. Nguyen Van Son, University of Technology - VNU Hanoi, said that the award is a valuable recognition for his tireless efforts in scientific research and application. "Contributing to this success is the support of VinIF not only financially but also in connecting with leading scientists" - the young researcher expressed.
Born in 1993, Dr. Nguyen Van Son completed his PhD program at the University of Texas (USA) in 2022. Returning to Vietnam, his research focuses on software automation and artificial intelligence (AI). He is one of the authors of the DoiT product - a system to support improving the quality of documents, currently with more than 15,000 individual users and many large educational institutions in Vietnam.
Dr. Pham Thanh Tuan Anh, University of Science - VNU-HCM, with research direction on transparent conductive thin film materials, spectral analysis methods
For Dr. Pham Thanh Tuan Anh, University of Science - VNU-HCM, the domestic doctoral training scholarship from VinIF helps him have more funds to invest in analysis in scientific publications to improve the quality of research. In particular, the publication in the prestigious journal Acta Materialia is an important contribution to his doctoral thesis. "The award motivates me to strive even harder in my studies and research to contribute my small efforts to the common development of the community and society" - "golden ball" Pham Thanh Tuan Anh confided.
Pursuing the research direction of applying nanomaterials in green energy technology, Dr. Tran Ngoc Quang (recipient of a postdoctoral scholarship in 2023-2024 from VinIF) spent nearly 2 years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics - Institute of Basic Science at Sungkyunkwan University (Korea).
Upon returning to Vietnam, he established a research group on energy conversion materials at the Center for Nanostructured and Molecular Materials Research - VNU-HCM. Like other Golden Globe winners, Dr. Tran Ngoc Quang considers the award a motivation to continue developing himself and training and mentoring young people with a passion for scientific research.
Paving the way for the semiconductor ecosystem
After 6 consecutive years of accompanying researchers to realize cutting-edge, highly applicable projects, VinIF has sponsored 117 projects with a budget of 590 billion VND. Good news follows good news when recently, the State Council of Professors recognized Associate Professor Nguyen Van Duc and Associate Professor Le Duc Hung - 2 of many leaders of research projects sponsored by VinIF.
Dr. Nguyen Van Son, University of Technology - VNU Hanoi, is one of 10 outstanding individuals receiving the Golden Globe Science and Technology Award 2024. Photo: THANH TUYEN
Dr. Le Duc Hung, University of Science - VNU-HCM, said that the idea of the project "AI chip design based on Spiking Neural Network structure and multi-core RISC-V microprocessor combined with network on chip" was formed from the process of implementing scientific topics on signal acquisition chip design. The research team hopes to apply this system to smart city projects in Ho Chi Minh City and other localities. Thereby, contributing to the development of the microchip design industry and semiconductor technology, creating "made in Vietnam" chips as well as forming a semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam.
"AI-related microchip products are in line with the development trend of technology and can contribute to the formation of a semiconductor and AI microchip ecosystem, towards start-up stages that the VinIF network can connect and support," the research team believes.
Meanwhile, the project "Development of autonomous underwater vehicle AUV using sonar technology for underground monitoring and measurement of marine environmental parameters" led by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Duc, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, has also received much attention. Because if the AUV prototype is successfully developed in combination with a control station, it will pave the way for more in-depth research related to the underwater internet of things, marine communications and marine environmental management.
Make a bigger difference
Established in 2018, VinIF belongs to the Big Data Research Institute, part of the VinBigdata ecosystem, focusing on funding and training in science and technology. The fund's mission is to support scientists and young talents from universities and research institutes to conduct scientific and technological research and innovation. The total number of scientists supported by VinIF to date is up to 3,500.
Professor Vu Ha Van, Scientific Director of VinIF, said that the main idea of VinIF is to create a reasonable, transparent and civilized working mechanism, thereby contributing to building a creative, honest and internationally standardized research culture. "Through this environment, we hope to inspire a generation of young scientists who are capable, honest and socially responsible," said Professor Vu Ha Van.
According to VinIF's representative, the fund's most prominent impact on society is to create a new wind in research investment, improve academics and help limit brain drain. In particular, VinIF helps young scientists consider research as a profession with full rights and responsibilities, thereby wholeheartedly developing research capacity. "These achievements are the driving force for VinIF to continue to innovate, create, join hands with managers, universities and research institutes to create even greater turning points for Vietnamese science" - Professor Vu Ha Van expressed.
VinIF's scientific director believes that many scientists have good ideas, but to turn those ideas into products that are accepted by users, many factors are needed, from investment capital to the dynamism of the author. With its mission, VinIF is ready to support scientists if they ensure that their research products have great potential.
Policy change push
Participating in policy making, VinIF has contributed to amending the 2013 Law on Science and Technology in the direction of increasing remuneration for scientists, accepting risks in scientific and technological research, developing a sustainable science and technology market and several other important points.
Professor Le Quan, Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that thanks to inspiration from VinIF, the school has issued regulations on supporting scholarships of up to 100 million VND/year for graduate students, and 120 million VND/year for young doctors with excellent research and international publication capabilities.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/be-phong-cho-nhung-uoc-mo-khoa-hoc-19625012209525547.htm
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