This year's INWES-APNN Conference, which took place at the National Innovation Center (NIC) in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (Hanoi) from October 4 to 5, was attended by Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh of the Vietnamese National Assembly, as well as nearly 400 delegates from 13 countries and territories.

INWES-APNN Conference 2024 attracted nearly 400 delegates from 13 countries and territories. Photo: Hoang Toan

With the theme “The Role of Women in Science & Technology and International Integration for Sustainable Development”, this was the second time the INWES-APNN Conference has been held in Vietnam after the previous one in 2018.

Narrow and overcome gender stereotypes

In her opening speech at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hop - President of the Vietnam Association of Women Intellectuals stated the INWES-APNN 2024 Conference was not only a forum for sharing knowledge, but also a bridge for countries to build a more sustainable future, where women are empowered and contribute fully to the development of the community.

Accordingly, the Conference focused on the following contents: reporting on the activities of the countries, discussing the operational strategy of INWES-APNN for the following years, approving the Action Program and meeting the Executive Board of INWES's international and Asia-Pacific nation network.

Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hop, President of the Vietnam Association of Women Intellectuals, delivered the opening speech at the INWES-APNN 2024 Conference. Photos: Viet Anh/The Hanoi Times

Also at the Conference, President Ha Thi Nga of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union informed that the INWES-APNN 2024 Conference will focus on discussing and exchanging 2 hot topics: "Gender & STEM" and "Health & Environment".

Despite facing gender prejudice in their pursuit of scientific research, Vietnamese women, stated Ms Ha, have still affirmed their position and role in the field of science and technology. The team of domestic female scientists has grown in both quantity and quality, with research projects bringing many benefits to society and the country. International organizations such as UNESCO have honored many young Vietnamese female scientists and professors.

Dr. Sarah Peers - INWES President (center) and Dr. Juana T. Tape - INWES-APNN President (far right) at the INWES-APNN 2024 Conference in Hanoi.

She also said that this year’s conference was not only an opportunity for Vietnam to listen and learn from countries in the region, but also an opportunity for female scientists from all member nations to connect, share experiences and cooperate to create breakthrough initiatives to promote gender equality and empower women.

Honor inspirational people

President Ha Thi Nga of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union delivered speech at the Conference.

Such critical achievements have greatly been contributed by Vietnamese female scientists and engineers with high-quality, useful and valuable research and inventions to solve urgent problems of the country’s various fields.

"The presence of women has gradually filled the gender gap in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are proud that among the nearly 6,000 members of the Vietnam Association of Women Intellectuals, many women have been deservedly honored at prestigious national and international scientific awards, such as the State Prize for Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh Prize, Vifotex Prize, Kovalevskaia Prize, L'Oreal-UNESCO and many other international accolades", stated Thanh.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly also honored Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram and Professor, Huynh Thi Phuong Lien, 2 outstanding members of the Vietnam Association of Women Intellectuals who were recently awarded the Labor Hero title. In addition, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, currently working at the Vinmec Stem Cell and Gene Technology Research Institute, was also honored when she became the first female scientist in Vietnam to be elected as a member of the Global Young Scientists Academy in 2024.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh of the National Assembly delivered a speech at the NWES-APNN 2024 Conference.

Thanh emphasized they were inspiring examples for the next generation of young female scientists to overcome gender stereotypes and other difficulties in balancing the responsibilities of a wife and mother in the family, while still pursuing passions for creativity, dedication, and conquering new heights in the field of STEM.

The International Network of Women Scientists and Engineers (INWES), established in 2002 under the auspices of UNESCO, consists of 15 countries/territories in the Asia-Pacific region, which includes: Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Taiwan (China) and Vietnam.

UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Baker, former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan and delegates cut the ribbon to open the Exhibition of Science and Technology Products of Women Scientists at the NWES-APNN 2024 Conference.