Women in STEM Forum: Engaging in Applied Projects

On December 15th, at Hall A301, LHU, "Women in STEM Forum: Engaging in Applied Projects" under the BUILD-IT project was co-organized by LHU and Arizona State University.

An overview of the Forum

The Forum brought together experts in academia, government, and industry to share the importance, successes, and challenges of women in STEM fields (science, engineering, technology, and math).

LHU leader presented flowers to express her thanks to Ms. Lopa BaSu, Senior HIV & TB Advisor at USAID Vietnam

At the Forum, Dr. Lopa BaSu, Senior HIV & TB Advisor at USAID Vietnam shared the playbook "Women in STEM" as a collaborative effort between ASU and its six strategic partner universities. Through this playbook, BUILD-IT's strategic partner universities have access to a tested and proven manual for educators to assure that women benefit from projects that are practically applied in Hanoi, Can Tho, Da Nang, Dong Nai and HCM City. It is a starting point to inspire gender-responsive programming, mitigate gender barriers, and promote equitable learning outcomes during applied projects.

Dr. Do Thi Lan Dai, Chairwoman, LHU's Council presented the speech "the Future of Women in STEM in Vietnamese Higher Education" at the Forum

The keynote speech "the Future of Women in STEM in Vietnamese Higher Education" presented by Dr. Do Thi Lan Dai, Chairwoman, University Council, LHU, shows that the issue of gender equality, especially in the STEM fields is still a challenge. Gender stereotypes are also a barrier for women to participate in STEM activities. 

Discussion session "Enrolling, Supporting & Graduating Women in STEM"

The Forum agenda also included the panel session "Enrolling, Supporting & Graduating Women in STEM" including Moderator Ms. Dang Tran Phuong Anh, Country Director, ASU Vietnam and Panelists namely Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dam Sao Mai, Vice Rector, Industrial University of HCM City; Dr. Bui Thi Ngan, Deputy Director, Board of Project Management, Ha Noi University of Industry and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Thang, Head of Academic Affairs Office, HCM City of Technology. Here, the participants listened to experts in the field on how to enroll, support and graduate more women in STEM as well as their strategies to engage and provide more opportunities for women to succeed in these fields.

Next, the program panel "the Role of Female Graduates in STEM Industries" was discussed by leadership from the industry included Ms. Nguyen My, Prototype Architect, Amazon Web Services ASEAN; Ms. Vo Trinh, Associate Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services Vietnam; Ms. Ho Uyen, Public Affairs Director, Intel Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Khanh Thuyen, Senior Recycling and Wastewater Manager, First Solar Vietnam; Ms. Mai Thanh Uyen, South East Asia Sustainability Director, Dow. They shared their perspectives about the roles and importance of having women in the team and how gender balance can improve performance, innovation, and creativity. Panelists also suggested policies and strategies to encourage and nurture female talents.

Experts discussed the role of women in STEM fields

The participants in this Forum also experienced the successes and challenges in Vietnamese higher education shared by speaker Ms. Van Dinh Vy Phuong, Dean of the Information Technology Faculty, LHU and speaker Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong from Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry & Environmental Engineering, Phenikaa University.