Seven leading Vietnamese agriculturalists received medals from the Crawford Fund, a prestigious Australian organisation, in recognition of their significant contribution to the capacity development in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors in Hanoi on March 17.

Australian ambassador grants prizes for Vietnamese agriculturalists

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox presented the awards to Professor Le Viet Ly, former Vice Director of the National Institute for Animal Sciences, who was instrumental in establishing livestock systems research capability in Vietnam; Professor Ha Minh Trung, Vice-President of the Vietnam Gardening Association, former Director of the Plant Protection Research Institute who had a critical role in capacity building in plant protection in Vietnam; and Professor Cu Xuan Dan, former Rector of Hanoi Agriculture University who had a critical leadership role in a pivotal stage of his University’s development.

Four other Crawford Fund winners are Dao Thi Minh Chau, Head of Department for Ethnics and Religions, the Vietnam Women’s Union who has facilitated crop and livestock improvement projects, helped restore traditional hand-crafts, and helped establish rural women’s clubs to enhance knowledge in health and child care; Dr Le Thanh Luu, Director of Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 who has had a critical role in shaping the development of aquaculture in Vietnam; Professor Le Dinh Kha, former Director of Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, the Forest Science Institute of Vietnam who is an outstanding researcher, supervisor and authority on tree breeding; and Dr Nguyen Van Bo, President of Vietnam Academy for Agricultural Sciences who is a soil scientist with an exceptional record as a research leader, and as a research manager.

The ceremony had also the presence of nine Australian agriculturalists from the Crawford Fund, many of whom have worked in Vietnam and representatives of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

John Kerin, Chairman of the Crawford Fund, said: “Over the last 15 years, the Fund has supported Master Classes and Training Courses for over 600 Vietnamese scientists. This training has included Research Management Master Classes and course in fisheries, plant diseases, improved crop production practices and forestry”.

The Crawford Fund is a non-profit, non-government organisation from Australia, dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of research to developing countries. The Fund often provides support to training associated with ACIAR funded projects.