“Researcher Links” initiative Under the “Researcher Links” initiative, British Council Vietnam will organize two specialized conferences on biotechnology and telecommunications in February 2014. The idea initiated by the British Council Vietnam aims to promote international research co-operation. British Council will offer costs of participation, including travel and accommodation costs, for selected young scientists from Vietnam and Britain. The deadline for application is December 16th 2013. Connecting young scientists: conferences on biotechnology and telecommunications Under the program, the British Council Vietnam will organize two conferences from February 18thto February 20th, 2014 in HCM City: –    Biotechnology: “Enhancing vaccine producing and strategy for implementation: applications of protein science, protein and pharmaceutical” in collaboration with Aston University, Britain and Biotechnology Center in HCM City, Vietnam. –    Telecommunications: “Advances and development of telecommunication system” in collaboration with Leeds University, Britain and Da Nang University of Science and Technology, Vietnam. To apply for the program, please click on a conference name, sign up using the application form available at the bottom of webpage, and send to email: hong.hoang@britishcouncil.org.vn (Note: only English are used in the program).

Two Vietnamese mathematicians who were newly elected to be academicians of TWAS are Prof and Dr Phan Quoc Khanh (International University, National University in Ho Chi Minh City) and Prof and Dr. Hoang Xuan Phu (Institute of Mathematics). These were the only two Vietnamese scientists out of 46 newly elected academicians of TWAS in this year. The elected academicians were in 10 scientific fields, including mathematics with 4 new academicians. Besides two mathematicians from Vietnam, there were two other mathematicians from Brazil. Prof. Dr. Phan Quoc Khanh (left) and Prof. Dr.Hoang Xuan Phu Prof. Dr. Phan Quoc Khanh is an expert in optimization theory. His doctoral thesis was in 1978 and Doctor of Science in 1988 at the Institute of Mathematics, Academy of Sciences of Poland. The results of his research led to important developments in the field of vector optimization, equilibrium problems and variation inequalities. He is currently Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Mathematical Association. Prof Dr Hoang Xuan Phu conducts researches in the fields of control theory and optimization as well as their analytical applications. His doctoral thesis was in 1983 and doctor of science in 1987 at the University of Leipzig, Germany. He is currently editor in chief of the Journal of Mathematics and a member of the Committee for Developing Countries (CDC), a sub-committee of the International Mathematical Union (IMU-CDC). Prof. Dr Hoang Xuan Phu has also an academician of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Bavaria, Germany. Prof Dr Phan Quoc Khanh is currently Vice President of the Mathematics Science Council under the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED). Prof Dr Hoang Xuan Phu was also a member of the council in the previous tenure. NAFOSTED would like to send congratulations to the two Prof and Dr Phan Quoc Khanh and Hoang Xuan Phu for the election. TWAS currently has 1110 members, of which Vietnam has 9 members (the list below lists the 9 professors arranged in chronological order was elected to TWAS): Nguyen Van Hieu and Dao Vong Duc ( Physics ), Le Dung Trang, Ngo Viet Trung, Ha Huy Khoái, Dao Trong Thi , Le Tuan Hoa , Phan Quoc Khanh and Hoang Xuan Phu ( belongs in Mathematics). Previously, the list has former Nguyen Huy Phan (Medicine), Vu Tuyen Hoang (Agriculture) and Nguyen Van Dao (Mechanics) . (Source: VIASM )

According to regulations on implemeting basic researches in the field of social sciences and humanities, funded by the National Foundation for Technology and Science Development (NAFOSTED), the foundation suggests heads of approved themes in collaboration with organisations to submit mid-term report on their progress and results of the themes. The report aims to provide a basis for the foundation in the next round to fund the approved themes which were launched since 2011 and 2012. The periodical projects’ reports including report on research results and report on the use of fund with attached sample is required to send to NAFOSTED in two forms: – A soft copy sent to email: nafosted@most.gov.vn – 03 hard copies certified by the organization chaired topics sent to the foundtation’s operating board at No. 39 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi ). ( NAFOSTED keeps 02 copies, 01 will be kept at the Science and Technology office of the themes’ management agencies) – 01 copy of products sent to the foundation’s operating board or soft copy through email to administrative secretary Heads of the approved themes are asked to send the reports before November 25 2013 to accelerate disbursement progress. In the course of implementation, please contact to the foundation at Tel: 04.3934.0411/ 04.3934.0555; email: nafosted@most.gov.vn. Samples of the reports on results and the use of funds can be found in the notice of periodical reports on the subject of basic research in the field of Social Science and Humanities starting in 2011 and 2012 available in webiste: http://www.nafosted.gov.vn) Our warmest thanks. Download full text and sample reports here

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on November30th 2013 held a press meeting to introduce Ta Quang Buu Award in 2013. Attendees at the meeting were Tran Viet Thanh, MOST’s deputy minister cum head of the award’s organizing board, Mr Do Tien Dung, director of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) – the standing committee of the prize and members of the organizing board as well as prestigious scientists at universities, institutes and research institutions. The event also attract interest from media in the field of science and technology such as the Vietnam Television (VTV), Hanoi Television (HANOITV), the Science and Technology Newspaper, People Newspaper, the Government online portal, the Science and Technology Viet Nam Magazine, Vietnam News Agency, VOVTV, online dantri newspaper, vnmedia and Youth Newspaper. 1.      Purposes and meanings The Ta Quang Buu award organized by the MOST will be granted to Vietnamese scientists whose excellent research works in the field of natural science as well as both Vietnamese and foreign scientists who actively contributed to basic science researches in Vietnam.The annual prize aims to encourage and honor scientists whose excellent achievements in basic science researches, thus promoting the sector’s development in particular and Vietnam’s science and technology in general. This could help the country’s science and technology sector access to international standards, paving a way for its integration into the world. 2.      Awarded fields The Ta Quang Buu Award will be presented to scientists in the fields of natural sciences including mathematics, computer science and information, physics, chemistry, earth science and environment, biology and other natural sciences. 3.     People eligible for the award –          Scientists are Vietnamese citizens and the main author of excellent science works were published on special science magazines. –          Vietnamese scientists in foreign countries and foreigners whose active contribution to Vietnam’s basic research. 4.      Prizes The award includes 1 to 4 main prizes and 1 for young scientists (those under the age of 30 by the time of submitting application) granted to authors of excellent science research works; 01 prize given to a scientist whose active contribution to Vietnam’s basic research. 5.      Value and granting methods Each prize will include: –          A prize certificate from the Ministry of Science and Technology; –          Bonus (maximum level): of 200 VND for each main prize; 50 VND for young scientist award and 100 VND for scientist whose active contribution to Vietnam’s basic research works. 6.       Time: –          Individuals submit their application to register for the Ta Quang Buu Award to Standing Committee from November 0th 2013 to January 15th 2014. –          The judging” from January 15th 2014 to March 30th 2014. –          Award ceremony will be held in May 2014. 7.        Application –          Application form for the Ta Quang Buu Award (download here) –          Science curriculum vitae certified by authorized agencies –          Full document of the excellent science work –          Notes on the scientific value of the work –          Notes on the scientists’ contribution to basic research in particular and science and technology in general in Vietnam –          Other documents: necessary documents in evaluation process required by the organizing board The board could ask scientists to supplement information and certify applications submitted by special science committees. 8.       For more information, please contact: The National Foundation for Science and Technology Development Address: 4th Floor, 39 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Phone: 84-4-39367750 Email: nafosted@most.gov.vn Website: http://www.nafosted.gov.vn The Decision No 2635/QD-BKHCN dated August 26th 2013 issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on promulgation of “Ta Quang Buu Award’s regulation”.