Two Vietnamese Professors Receive French Legion of Honor Officer Medal

The Legion of Honor was awarded to honor the special contributions of Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc (both 91 years old), demonstrating France's appreciation for their efforts to promote bilateral scientific cooperation. Over the past decades, the two Professors have devoted their wholeheartedly to the development of science, while contributing to strengthening the cooperative relationship between France and Vietnam, as well as connecting Vietnam with the international scientific community.

Hai Giáo sư Việt Nam nhận Huân chương Bắc đẩu Bội tinh bậc Sĩ quan của Pháp

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet awarded the Legion of Honor Officer to Professor Le Kim Ngoc. (Photo: Government Newspaper)

A typical mark in the career of the two Professors is the initiative to organize the annual conference “Meeting Vietnam” since 1993. As a Vietnamese scientist who has been involved in the research environment in France for many years, Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van has taken advantage of his extensive academic network with French universities, research institutes and scientific communities to bring a large number of French scientists to Vietnam to attend the conference.

“Meet Vietnam” quickly became a forum gathering the world’s leading scientists in many fields: from basic sciences such as physics, mathematics, astronomy, to applied sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities. Through this initiative, Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc not only contributed to affirming Vietnam’s scientific position on the international map, but also expanded the influence of French science in Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region, while creating opportunities for the young generation of Vietnam to access knowledge and advanced research methods from France.

All revenues from the conferences have been reinvested to establish the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon since 2013. ICISE is shaping up to be an important destination for scientific conferences, attracting the participation of many Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners. Not only is it a place of intellectual convergence, the center also focuses on disseminating scientific culture to the public, arousing a passion for research in the young generation of Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung (center) congratulated Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van (left cover) and Professor Le Kim Ngoc. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Speaking at the ceremony, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet affirmed: “The Legion of Honor is France’s recognition of the two Professors’ research and great contributions to the development of science. The initiative to build ICISE is a vivid demonstration of the friendship and scientific cooperation between France and Vietnam.”

Not only outstanding in the field of science, Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc also have many humanitarian activities. Since 1970, they founded the Association “Aide à l'Enfance du Vietnam” (Support for Vietnamese Children) and contributed to the establishment of the first SOS Children's Village in Vietnam, providing a warm home for many orphans.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Le Kim Ngoc expressed that today's honor is not only for her and her husband but also for all those who have accompanied them up to now. What is especially meaningful is that the Medal Awarding Ceremony is held right on the French-Vietnamese Year of Innovation. She affirmed that the Medal has given both of them the strength to continue pursuing their beliefs and core values. The two Professors wish the young people to have faith in their dreams, dare to assert themselves and maintain their identity.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hai-giao-su-viet-nam-nhan-huan-chuong-bac-dau-boi-tinh-bac-si-quan-cua-phap-216738.html