HUST’s young researchers received research grants from Japan

Asahi Glass Foundation provided grants for 6 young researchers at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) in 2020 in material science, life science, environment, and energy.

On Nov 12, the two parties also signed an MOU to promote research activities in the field of material science, life science, information science, environment, energy, and social science.

Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang (left), President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Mr. Takuya Shimamura, Chairman of Asahi Glass Foundation, had an online signing ceremony on Nov 12, 2020. Pic: CCPR-Duy Thanh

Accordingly, Asahi Glass Foundation will provide two million yen per year for projects selected from HUST. This year, 6 projects are chosen out of 27 proposals submitted to the screening committee.

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang, HUST President, expressed his appreciation towards Asahi Glass Foundation’s cooperation and support. These research grants are especially given to young researchers with highly applicable projects. The criteria include the necessity of the project, innovation, influence on science/technology, objective and research scope, probability of success, expected results, and research experiences of the principal investigator.

The online signing ceremony between Asahi Glass Foundation and HUST on Nov 12, 2020. Pic: CCPR-Duy Thanh

“I happily believe that your future is bright, and your potential is unlimited”, Mr. Takuya Shimamura, chairman of Asahi Glass Foundation, congratulated the principal investigators on their grant receipt.

Nguyen Hoang Chung, PhD., School of Chemical Engineering, is one of the selected PI this year with “Production of nanocellulose-coated paperboard from sugarcane bagasse for the fabrication of food and drink self-biodegradable containers to replace single-use plastic items” project. According to this young researcher, the paper cups, which are currently used widely, are coated with a thin polymer layer inside to prevent water leakage, making these ‘supposedly environmentally friendly products’ hard to completely decomposed.

Chung intended to fix the problems by making a self-biodegradable product that is 100% made by sugarcane bagasse. The female researcher was excited about this grant, claiming that this financial support from Asahi Glass Foundation was helping her to pursue her passion for research at HUST.

Nguyen Hoang Chung, Ph.D., received a certificate at the signing ceremony between Asahi Glass Foundation and HUST on Nov 12, 2020. Pic: CCPR-Duy Thanh

Asahi Glass Foundation has been granting scholarships to many universities around the world. In Southeast Asia, the organization has been providing research grants for universities in Thailand, Indonesia, and HUST from Vietnam. This is the first year these research grant has been awarded at HUST and AGF will continue to support for HUST young researchers for at least two more years. Since 2018, the Foundation has focused on activities in the research grant, the scholarship program, and the commendation program.

Ha Kim