Professor Tran Hong Thai, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, was elected as an academician of the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS), on October 26.

The election took place at the plenary session within the framework of the 39th session of the IAAS Council in Xi'an, China. According to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Professor Thai's election as an IAAS Academician is recognition by the international scientific community, opening up more opportunities to promote collaborative research connections, contributing to the development of scientific collectives and improving Vietnam's research capacity.

IAAS is a meeting aimed at connecting academic institutions and scientific organizations to promote research cooperation. This year's meeting has the theme "Expanding scientific and technical cooperation between academic institutions in the current context" - focusing on connecting the basic research strengths of academic institutions with the training and technology development capacity of universities and research organizations.

Here, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology proposes to establish joint research groups, connect scientific infrastructure, exchange scholars, cooperate in postgraduate training and jointly create intellectual property. The proposals are aimed at programs with specific content and results, in which all parties contribute and improve research capacity.

As President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Professor Tran Hong Thai mentioned four directions to promote international cooperation, including bringing Vietnamese officials to environments where new knowledge is forming; increase the participation of Vietnamese scientists in international professional organizations; attract experts to Vietnam to do research together; proactively host international scientific activities.

According to Professor Thai, Vietnamese scientists participate directly from identifying problems, building programs to implementing research and developing results with partners. Knowledge and experience accumulated through cooperation will serve to solve new problems and train the next generation of experts.

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology also focuses on the participation of young scientists in professional councils, research groups and international programs. This is an opportunity for them to approach new methods, build colleague relationships and maintain long-term cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai is the third Vietnamese scientist elected as an IAAS Academician. Previously, Professor and Academic Chau Van Minh, elected in 2019, was the first Vietnamese scientist to receive this title. The second person is Professor and Academic Le Truong Giang, elected in 2024. Both scientists were once leaders of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Mr. Tran Hong Thai is 52 years old, from Ha Tinh; Professor, PhD in Earth Sciences and Mathematics; Member of the 14th Party Central Committee. He studied in Russia and defended his doctoral thesis in Earth Sciences and Mathematics at Heidelberg University (Germany).

He has many years working in hydrometeorological systems. He used to hold the position of Deputy General Director of the National Hydrometeorological Center, then General Director of the General Department of Hydrometeorology, directing the work of forecasting and warning of natural disasters and developing monitoring systems and analyzing hydrometeorological data to serve state management and natural disaster prevention.

He was then appointed as Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, participating in state management of science, technology and innovation, promoting research programs, developing technology and transferring scientific results into production and life.

In August 2024, he was elected to hold the position of Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee. When merging administrative units, he continued to hold the position of Chairman of the new Lam Dong Provincial People's Council, participating in management and orientation of local socio-economic development.

On March 7, 2026, he was appointed by the Prime Minister to hold the position of President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, replacing Professor Chau Van Minh who transferred work.

Nam Nguyen