Kovalevskaia awards presented in honour of Int’l Women’s Day

The Kovalevskaia 2014 awards, honouring outstanding female scientists, has been presented to Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Lan, former deputy dean of the Thai Nguyen University of Agro-forestry, for her research into protective measures against animal diseases.

A group of 16 scientists from the Hanoi Medical University and the Central Eye Hospital won the awards for their research into a new treatment method that uses stem cell technology to fix injuries on the ocular surface of the eye.

The awards were granted during a ceremony held on March 7 celebrating the 105^th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8), the 55^th anniversary of the founding of the “Long-haired army”, and the 50^th anniversary of the “Three responsibilities” campaign.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Lan (right) at the award ceremony in Hanoi. (Photo: VnExpress.net)

In his address, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said the Party and State keep in mind the dedication of generations of Vietnamese women to the national development.

He expressed belief that they will continue the tradition “active, creative, loyal, and capable” in the new period, and vowed all possible support to the Vietnam Women’s Union.

On the occasion, participants also met with outstanding members of the “long-haired army” and the “three responsibilities” campaign.

After the Geneva Agreement on restoring peace in Vietnam was signed in 1954, Vietnam was divided into two regions.

The North was liberated and entered a period of building socialism and joined the South in fighting US imperialism and reunifying the country. Women from all the regions took part in many activities that aided the war effort and directly contributed to the nation's revolutionary cause.

Founded on March 8, 1961, the Women's Union Liberation of southern Vietnam became an effective banner that gathered women from all walks of life to join the resistance through the "Long-haired Army" movement that combined combat with political struggle, military and agitprop among enemy troops.

Their northern brethren joined the "Three Responsibilities" movement launched in March 1965, which had them take active roles in industrial production, looking after the family and in defending the homeland.