Vietnamese female scholar in Australia receives Certificate of Merit from Minister of Foreign Affairs
WVR - On April 23, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth held a solemn ceremony to award the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien (Curtin University, Australia), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Vietnamese community abroad and the promotion of Vietnam–Australia relations.
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| Scene of the ceremony. |
The ceremony was attended by representatives of local authorities and academia, including Ms. Pamela Currie, Director of the Western Australia Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia; Professor Vanessa Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Business and Law at Curtin University; Mr. Randhir Amoganathan, President of the United Nations Association of Australia (Western Australia branch); along with representatives from Vietnamese associations such as the Vietnamese Women's Association in Western Australia (WAVNWA), the Vietnam-Australia Talent Network (AVTN), the Vietnamese Students Association in Western Australia (VISAWA), the Vietnam-Western Australia Business Council (WAVBC), and the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA).
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and Northern Territory, emphasized: “Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien is one of the exemplary Vietnamese intellectuals in Australia, not only successful in research and teaching but also making significant contributions to the community and the cooperative relations between the two countries.
Her efforts have helped spread a positive image of Vietnamese intellectuals abroad.” The Consul General also affirmed that the Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth always prioritizes connecting, supporting, and promoting the role of the overseas Vietnamese intellectual community, especially in education, training, research, and knowledge transfer between Vietnam and Western Australia.
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| Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and Northern Territory (right), presents the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien. |
Expressing appreciation from Australia, Ms. Pamela Currie emphasized: “The initiatives and projects led by Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien have made practical contributions to enhancing development cooperation between Australia and Vietnam, particularly in energy transition, sustainable development, and capacity building. This is a clear testament to the effectiveness of the partnership between the two countries.”
Mr. Randhir Amoganathan also recognized the role of Associate Professor Dr. Hong Lien in connecting the community and promoting shared values: “Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien is a prime example of combining knowledge, social responsibility, and community service. Her contributions not only benefit the Vietnamese community but also promote the values of cooperation, integration, and sustainable development that we share.”
The Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs honors the outstanding contributions of Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien through 10 projects funded by the Australian Government since 2022, implemented at Curtin University.
These projects focus on supporting Vietnam in key areas such as energy transition, carbon market development, digital transformation, and policy-making. Notably, the capacity-building program for about 200 Vietnamese leaders and strategic officers has contributed to enhancing human resource quality and promoting substantive cooperation between the two countries.
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| Associate Professor Dr. Hong Lien is a prime example of combining knowledge, social responsibility, and community service. |
Beyond academia, Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien actively contributes to the Vietnamese community in Australia. As Vice President of the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA) and Deputy Head of the Gender Equality Committee of the United Nations Association of Australia (Western Australia branch), she has helped connect expert networks, promote knowledge exchange, and support activities directed towards the homeland. Notably, she participated in fundraising campaigns (by VASEA and ASIF) to support compatriots affected by natural disasters in Vietnam, raising nearly 190,000 AUD during 2024–2025.
Speaking at the event, Professor Vanessa Chang highly appreciated the role of Associate Professor Dr. Hong Lien in promoting academic cooperation between Curtin University and Vietnamese partners, while acknowledging her contributions to elevating the status of the Vietnamese scholarly community in Australia.
“The Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs is a wonderful recognition and appreciation of the contributions of Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien to Curtin University, Australia, and Vietnam – a model citizen with significant influence and a pride of Australia!” affirmed Professor Vanessa Chang.
Professor Nghiem Duc Long, President of VASEA, also emphasized the influence of Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien within the overseas Vietnamese intellectual and scientific community, stating that she “truly represents the core values of VASEA: Excellence, Collaboration, and Service.”
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| Delegates attending the ceremony take a commemorative photo. |
For her part, Associate Professor Dr. Duong Thi Hong Lien expressed: “This Certificate of Merit is not only a recognition for me personally but also reflects the strength of collaboration between academia, government, and the communities of both countries. I am honoured to contribute to connecting the overseas Vietnamese community and promoting cooperative relations between Australia and Vietnam.”
The award ceremony not only honours an exemplary individual but also clearly demonstrates the role of the overseas Vietnamese intellectual community in contributing to the country's development and deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Australia, especially in education and training between Vietnam and Western Australia.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth)
