Mr Nhan made his statement of praise at a ceremony in Hanoi on March 7 to present Vietnam’s Kovalevskaya Awards to outstanding individual female scientists and collectives. The awards ceremony is part of activities to mark the 99^th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 3) and the 1,969^th anniversary of the Two Trung Sisters’ Uprising.

“With their strong stance, excellent wisdom and good qualities, female scientists have made outstanding achievements in their research and its application, bringing practical benefits to all aspects of life,” said Mr Nhan.

He also acknowledged the great contributions made by more than 17 million female workers in the face of the country’s difficulties during the global economic crisis.

“At this forum, their success will be a source of inspiration to all Vietnamese women who must overcome difficulties and challenges to fulfil their duties,” said Mr Nhan.

He expressed his belief that the Vietnam Women’s Union will continue to play its leading role in gathering and encouraging female scientists to distil their wisdom and creativity for the sake of gender equality and national development.

Former State Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, President of the Vietnam Kovalevskaya Award Committee, said that over the past 24 years, the committee has selected and presented awards to 15 collectives and 31 individuals in the field of natural science. Besides research, application and training, they have excelled in their management and business operations. Many have been honoured as Professors, Emeritus Teachers, People’s Physicians and Labour Heroines during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

At the ceremony, the committee presented the award to a group of female scientists from the National Institute of Nutrition and to Prof. Dang Thi Kim Chi from Hanoi University of Technology.

Delegates had the opportunity to share experiences with several previous winners of the award.

VietNamNet/VOV