- University of Oxford launches the $23.5 million Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme to strengthen Viet Nam UK cooperation in education and research.
- Funded by Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Oxford University, the program supports exceptional Vietnamese students and researchers, with 11 scholars already benefiting.
- General Secretary To Lam and Oxford leaders hailed the initiative as a milestone in advancing science, technology, and education ties between the two nations.
The University of Oxford announced the formation of the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme, a milestone project reaffirming the increasing cooperation in education and research between Viet Nam and the UK. The ceremony was launched with the attendance of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, together with the top leaders of the two countries.
With an original endowment of $23.5 million, made up of $18 million from Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and $5.4 million co-funded with the University of Oxford, the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme is designed to offer long-term opportunities to outstanding students and researchers, with a focus on Vietnamese scholars.
So far, $925,500 has been provided to fund 11 remarkable Vietnamese scholars who are studying at Oxford now in education, chemistry, clinical medicine, genomic medicine and business administration. Addressing the meeting, General Secretary To Lam received the co-operations between Vietnamese enterprises and research institutions and the University of Oxford, especially with SOVICO Group and Vietjet.
He also spoke out for his hope that the partnerships would continue to grow, converting knowledge, science and technology into useful programs and projects benefiting people and developing the nation.
The General Secretary stressed that science and technology training, education are the most important pillars of Viet Nam-UK relations, which he is certain will continue to thrive in the coming years and further cement the Strategic Partnership between the two nations and pave the way for it to be upgraded in the future.
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Oxford is happy to be cooperating on projects that are tackling some of the world's most urgent challenges, said Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The university enjoys celebrating progress made in partnership and looks forward to increasing cooperation in education, research, and innovation with Viet Nam, she further stated.
Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao stated knowledge is the seed of peace and sustainable prosperity. Thao expressed her hope that this scholarship would empower young Vietnamese to confidently take part in the world, with knowledge, compassion to serve their country and mankind.
Scholarship winner Phạm Minh Phuong stated that the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship has provided her with the chance to study and develop in one of the world's top research environments vibrant, innovative and inspiring. "With funding worth billions of Vietnamese dong annually, Vietnamese students are able to pursue their studies with confidence and motivation, to try and make productive contributions to humanity", she said.
Phuong has a Master's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, and is a fourth-year DPhil (Doctoral) researcher at the University.
