Vietnamese alumni of Australian education institutions gathered on 28 June 2025 to celebrate the outstanding achievements of six alumni who won 2025 Australian Alumni Awards for their leadership, innovation, and contributions to the Vietnam-Australia relationship.
The Australian Alumni Awards winners are:
Distinguished Alumni Award: Prof Ly Tran, The University of Melbourne and Monash University alumni, School of Education and Research for Educational Impact (REDI) Centre, Deakin University, Founder of Australia-Vietnam International Education Centre
Enhancing Economic Engagement Award: Ms Nguyen Thi Van, Flinders University alumni, Co-founder and Chair of Will to Live Social Enterprise and Imagtor
Women in Leadership Award: Dr Le Minh Thi, Queensland University of Technology alumni, Head of the Department of Population and Reproductive Health at Hanoi University of Public Health
Climate, Environment and Energy Award: Assoc. Prof., Dr Pham Thi Thanh Nga, The University of Adelaide alumni, Director-General of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment
Building knowledge and Connecting people Award: Dr Nam Nghiep Tran (represented at the award ceremony by an Australian Embassy official)
Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital transformation Award: Dr Duy Nguyen, The University of Sydney alumni, Environmental Scientist at CSIRO Australia
“Australian alumni in Vietnam are valuable bridges between our two countries,” said H.E. Ms Gillian Bird PSM, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam. “Australia’s connection with Vietnam is founded on strong people-to-people bonds, deep economic links, and a shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Alumni, with their deep experience and understanding of both Australia and Vietnam, play a vital role in promoting mutual understanding and deepening business engagement.”
H.E. Ms Gillian Bird PSM, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, delivers welcome remarks at the ceremony.
H.E. Ms Gillian Bird PSM, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam and Assoc. Prof., Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director General of the International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training congratulates winners. Dr Nam Nghiep Tran was represented at the ceremony by an Australian Embassy official.
Finalists of the Australian Alumni Awards 2025. Dr An Nguyen and Dr Nam Nghiep Tran were represented at the ceremony by Australian Embassy officials. Dr Van Kien Nguyen was represented by his brother.
Winner of the Economic Engagement Award, Ms Nguyen Thi Van shared: “Australian education has enabled me to experience many possibilities. What I gained goes beyond skills and includes empowerment and confidence. It has changed the way I lead and share with many other people with disabilities in their journey towards improved livelihoods. I am determined to continue this path, drawing inspiration from my longstanding connection with Australia.”
Ms Nguyen Thi Van, winner of the Economic Engagement Award, delivers a reflection speech.
This year marks the 10th year of Australia’s Aus4Skills program which aims to build knowledge and people-to-people links in support of the Australia – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It provides Australia Awards Scholarships, vocational education and training, capacity building in Vietnam’s higher education, and public sector leadership training.
“Educational partnerships foster cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people links, contributing to a more vibrant and interconnected relationship between Australia and Vietnam. Australian alumni with increased access to global knowledge and skills are positively contributing to Vietnam’s economic growth, modernisation, and integration into the global community,” Assoc. Prof., Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director General of the International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training commented.
Assoc. Prof., Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director General of the International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training delivers welcome remarks.
This is the second time these prestigious Awards are presented by the Australian Embassy, following the inaugural Awards launched in 2023. The Australian Alumni Awards and Reunion event was also an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, reminisce about their time in Australia, following the Australian Government’s continued support and engagement with the alumni network.
For over half a century since diplomatic relations were established between Vietnam and Australia in 1973, education has been at the heart of our partnership. There are more than 160,000 Vietnamese alumni of Australian education who are working in public and private sectors from central to local levels. They are leaders and experts in their fields and have made significant contributions to Vietnam’s development and the connection between the two countries.
