Four British Council Alumni Honored for Great Contributions to Society

This year's four finalists were selected to be honored in four award categories: Science and Sustainability, Culture and Creativity, Business Innovation, and Social Action.

The Science and Sustainability prize was awarded to Associate Professor, Dr. Le Kim Phung, a former student of the University of Sheffield. Phung is currently the Director of the Refining and Petrochemical Technology Research Center (RPTC), and Head of the Sustainable Engineering Research Group of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT). After graduating with a PhD in Chemical Process Engineering in the UK in 2008, Phung continuously expanded her research and application of advanced technology for the environment. She has attracted international sponsorship from the US, Japan, and many other Asian countries. Recently, she was honored to receive the 2022 Hitachi Foundation's Outstanding Innovation Award.

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Kim Phung. (Photo: British Council)

Her outstanding research fields include renewable energy, biomass, refining, and biorecovery. Her inventions promise a friendly way to treat wastewater and produce biofuels, contributing to sustainable development for Vietnam and the world.

The Culture and Creativity prize was awarded to architect Nguyen Phuc Minh, a former student of the University of Bath and University of Gloucestershire. Minh has worked for 10 years at the world's leading architectural firm Foster + Partners in London. Minh also participated in some famous projects, namely the Thang Long Theater, the master plan of Thu Thiem's new urban area (Ho Chi Minh City), St. Petersburg New Holland (Russia), Queen Alia International Airport (Jordan)... These outstanding contributions made him a member of the Royal Society of British Architects.

Architect Nguyen Phuc Minh. (Photo: British Council)

Returning to Vietnam, Minh co-founded MPN + Partners to convey designs with depth and mean to many people.

Honored with many international awards, Minh always supports meaningful architecture that creates a strong impact on the environment and community development. Through talks, seminars, and consulting sessions, he also shares his expertise and inspires the younger generation. He is also involved in promoting cultural exchange by bringing the University of Bath and international students to Vietnam for enriching experiences.

The Business and Innovation prize was awarded to Nguyen Thi Hai Thanh, an alumnus of the University of Huddersfield. Thanh is the co-founder of APAC DAO - one of the largest B2B networks in Asia for more than 2,000 blockchain businesses with educational and business connection activities. As ASEAN Regional Vice President of the Global Impact Fintech Forum, Thanh is collaborating with visionary leaders, central banks, and Fintech associations to accelerate Fintech adoption on a global scale.

Nguyen Thi Hai Thanh. (Photo: British Council)

In the coming time, Thanh will support the establishment of Tech Vietnam Advocates - the local chapter of Tech London Advocates, an alliance of leading technology leaders with predecessors in the UK to promote technology cooperation between Vietnam and the UK as well as between the UK and the world. She is also an honorary advisor of the BRICS Industry Chamber of Commerce - Women Entrepreneurship Vertical and joins global female leaders in inspiring and supporting potential female entrepreneurs.

The Social Action Prize was awarded to Trieu Thi Thanh Truc, an alumnus of the University of Manchester. Truc is the Ambassador of the Vietnam Breast Cancer Network (BCNV). Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28, Truc has shared her story on many media platforms to raise awareness about cancer. The amount of USD 20,000 was raised in 2020 and contributed to hair libraries nationwide. In 2022, Truc started her own project, Trokies, a project that bakes vegan cakes and donates profits to cancer education programs. That same year, she donated her hair to nourish for 3 years after chemotherapy and inspired many other young women. In 2023, she launched a bra brand for breast cancer patients.

Trieu Thi Thanh Truc is the ambassador of the Vietnam Breast Cancer Network. (Photo: British Council)

According to Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam, UK alumni are ambassadors for UK higher education and play a very important role in people-to-people connections between the two countries. “The Study UK Alumni Awards winners are all leaders in their fields. You have used your education and experience gained from the UK to achieve success in your chosen career, impacting your community and positively changing lives”, said Donna McGowan.

Hanoi University of Science and Technology-UK Alumni Chapter Launched The Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)-UK Alumni Chapter was established in London, UK on November 24. It marked the 67th anniversary of the ...

Vibrant Events Celebrate 30 Years of Chevening Scholarship in Vietnam In a recent series of events, the British Embassy in Hanoi marked the 40th anniversary of the global Chevening Government Scholarship and its 30-year presence ...

Alumni: 'Academic' Ambassadors Connecting UK and Vietnam The contributions of Vietnamese alumni in connecting Vietnam and the UK were honored at the Gala Dinner "Essence of Convergence - Leading the way to ...