Mr Le Quy Duong (C) awarded the Australian Alumni Award for Culture, Arts and Education (Source: The Australian Embassy in Hanoi)

PANO - Various outstanding alumni of Australian universities and colleges who have made major contributions to Vietnam in fields such as education, arts and culture, innovation and research, business, and sustainable social development have been honored in a ceremony hosted by the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnamese Graduates from Australian Club (VGAC).

Addressing the ceremony, the 2011 Australian Alumni Awards, held on Nov. 11th, HE Mr. Allaster Cox, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said “the Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements of Vietnamese alumni of Australian universities and colleges and encourage them to contribute more to Vietnam’s economy and society. Their education in Australia has played a significant role in their personal and professional development. The award recipients, and so many other talented alumni, are a testament to the benefits of studying in Australia.”

Dr Vo Tri Thanh, an Australian National University alumnus, won the Special Award for Outstanding Achievement, sponsored by Austrade. Dr Thanh is currently Vice President of the Central Institute of Economic Management, Ministry of Planning and Investment. He is regarded as one of the most influential thinkers on economic policy and development in Vietnam.

The Australian Alumni Award for Culture, Arts and Education went to Mr Le Quy Duong, a National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) alumnus. Duong produces and directs fine arts productions that are well-known around the world. His works have helped people appreciate Vietnam’s history and culture since he returned to Vietnam in 2005. He has been a significant contributor to the Hue Festival over recent years.

Mr Nguyen Van Duyen, an alumnus from the Curtin University of Technology, was awarded the Australian Alumni Award for Sustainable Social Development, sponsored by Flinders University. Duyen is a senior expert in environmental management and has spent many years researching the effects of climate change, especially desertification, on the livelihoods of poor communities.

Another winner is Mr Tran Phu Son, a Monash University alumnus. He won the Australian Alumni Award for Business Leadership, sponsored by the University of Western Sydney. Mr Son is a partner at Ernst & Young Vietnam and is involved in training and setting up financial manuals for large domestic and international companies in many different industries in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Australian Alumni Award for Research and Innovation, sponsored by the University of Queensland belonged to Dr Do Ngoc Thuy, an alumnus from the University of Queensland. Dr Thuy is currently Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Education and International Co-operation at the National Institute of Veterinary Research. Thuy has led or contributed to nine significant Vietnamese Government or joint Australian-Vietnam funded projects. Thuy's research has made a significant contribution to understanding and managing animal diseases and the production of safe food for Vietnamese consumers. 

Notably, the Friendship Award was presented to Ms Patricia Franklin. Through her professional and volunteer work, Ms Franklin has made a significant and sustained contribution over many years to the lives of orphans and poor children in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mai Nguyen - Tran Hoai