Women in science and global collaboration

In the 21st century, women are not only present but also creating in fields that were once considered “male domain”. From the cockpit of spacecraft, laboratory, parliament to corporate boardroom, women are present with their own intelligence, courage and inner strength.

Originally a rheumatologist, Claudie Haigneré chose an unusual path: conquering space. Out of more than 1,000 applicants, she was one of seven who passed the rigorous selection process and the only woman. “I had no idea that only 10% of the applicants were women. It was only when I walked into the press conference and saw all the microphones pointed at me that I really realized it,” Claudie Haigneré recalled.

Ms. Claudie Haigneré shared at the workshop "Inspiring Women - Multidimensional perspectives on leadership, science and innovation" in Ho Chi Minh City.

Her two space flights in 1996 and 2001 not only brought her personal glory but also launched her on a new journey: Politics and international cooperation. After many years of training in Russia, directly witnessing the beginnings of the International Space Station, Ms. Claudie Haigneré realized that diversity is humanity's greatest asset, not only in terms of gender but also in terms of culture, skills, and generations.

At the workshop “Inspiring Women - Multidimensional Perspectives on Leadership, Science and Innovation”, organized by the French Institute in collaboration with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV) in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Claudie Haigneré shared: “Gender difference is not a barrier but a valuable asset”. For her, diversity helps science go further, helps sustainable innovation and paves the way for global cooperation.

From these diverse experiences, Claudie Haigneré proposed the Charme leadership model based on the values: Trust, humility, decisiveness - authenticity, responsibility - perseverance, motivation, fairness - empathy - exemplary. According to her, it is not only a leadership guideline but also a way for women to assert themselves in a challenging world.

Agreeing with the Charme spirit, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, former Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, said that Vietnamese women need to start from their own identity. "We do not need to compare ourselves with the male model, because women have their own strength and version. That is the foundation to take on leadership roles, from CEO, board member to policy maker," Ms. Ninh shared.

According to Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Vietnamese women have the strength to go far in science and technology. “I believe that Vietnamese people, including women, have an interest and a solid foundation in science. Recently, I met a young female doctor in Hanoi who was just admitted to the International Academy of Young Scientists. That is a clear demonstration of the potential of Vietnamese women,” Ms. Ninh said.

With an experienced diplomatic style, Ms. Ninh emphasized: “Don’t be fooled by the image of Vietnamese girls in flowing ao dai. They are not strong in muscles, but possess inner strength and personality, that is the foundation that helps them go far.”

From a business perspective, Ms. Hoang Tri Mai, Airbus Representative Director in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, affirmed that women are playing an increasingly important role in the aviation industry, which has long been considered a “male domain”. Ms. Mai believes that the key to creating breakthrough initiatives is to build a corporate culture that values ​​diversity.

A representative of Thales Group also agreed, emphasizing that the French-Vietnamese cooperation in high technology would not be sustainable without the participation of women. From human resource training to creative research, cooperation programs open up more opportunities for young Vietnamese women.

Sharing from many perspectives shows that women today are not only “participants” but have become “creators” in science, technology, diplomacy and economics. If Claudie Haigneré is a testament to the aspiration to reach the universe, then Ton Nu Thi Ninh demonstrates diplomatic courage and confidence in maintaining Vietnamese identity. In addition, business leaders such as Hoang Tri Mai or Thales representatives portray the image of pioneering women in governance, innovation and global cooperation.

In a world that increasingly demands creativity and connection, the common message is emphasized: Diversity is capital for development, and women are an indispensable factor in that capital.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/doi-song-van-hoa/phu-nu-kien-tao-khoa-hoc-va-hop-tac-toan-cau-20250926141728927.htm