A female professor with three youngest-ever records

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Professor Nguyen Thi Lan: The youngest female director and Party Secretary in the history of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture in 2016; the youngest female professor at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture; the youngest professor to receive the Kovalevskaia Award.
 
 
 

Born in 1974, Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan is currently a member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment. She also serves as Party Secretary and Director of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture. In addition, she leads the Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) and heads the Academy’s Center for Excellence and Innovation.

Her scientific journey began in 1997 when she became a lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture I (now the Vietnam National University of Agriculture). She later pursued advanced research and became a doctoral candidate at Miyazaki University in Japan from 2002 to 2007.

Upon returning to Vietnam, she held various key academic and managerial roles, including Deputy Head of Department, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Director of the Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology.

In 2014, she was appointed Vice Director of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, before becoming Party Secretary in 2015 and officially assuming the role of Director in January 2016, a position she has held ever since.

Throughout her career in management and scientific research, Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan achieved two notable milestones: becoming the youngest female Director and Party Secretary in the history of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture in 2016.

In 2018, she was awarded the title of professor, becoming the youngest female professor at the institution.

That same year, she received the Kovalevskaia Award - one of the most prestigious honors for female scientists - making her among the youngest professors to receive this distinction.

Beyond academia and educational management, Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan has actively participated in legislative activities. She was elected to the 14th and 15th National Assembly terms and has continued to gain voters’ trust in subsequent terms, becoming one of the few female professors to serve three consecutive terms: the 14th, 15th and 16th.

Significant contributions to agriculture

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Professor Nguyen Thi Lan has made significant contributions to agriculture, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology.

With expertise in agriculture, veterinary science and biotechnology, Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan has been involved in discussions, drafting and oversight of relevant policies.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous honors and awards, including the “Outstanding Young Intellectual of Hanoi” certificate (2010), certificates of merit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2011) and the Ministry of Education and Training (2013), along with various commendations at institutional and ministerial levels. She was also recognized as a “Distinguished Science and Technology Intellectual” in 2015 and received a certificate of merit “For the Advancement of Women”.

Prior to running for the 16th National Assembly, Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan stated that she would focus on developing and refining policies related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. She emphasized a direction toward ecological, circular agriculture, applying high technology in line with local conditions, thereby contributing to sustainable rural development.

At the same time, she underscored the importance of policy oversight to ensure effectiveness and transparency, while proposing solutions to enhance agricultural value through strengthened linkages from production to processing and consumption. Promoting science, technology and digital transformation in agriculture is also seen by her as key to improving productivity, quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in the market.

From a social welfare perspective, the professor has expressed interest in expanding access to credit, agricultural insurance, and policies that ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural residents. She believes that only when people’s living standards improve can development policies deliver long-term impact.

Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan has committed to maintaining close ties with voters through regular engagement, listening carefully and accurately conveying people’s aspirations to the National Assembly and relevant authorities. She also places emphasis on communication efforts to encourage public adherence to Party guidelines and State policies and laws.

With a long-term vision, she aims to promote science, technology and innovation as key drivers for green, modern and high value-added agriculture. Her proposals include developing a multi-value rural economy, advancing the application of new breeds and biotechnology, improving production processes, and strengthening post-harvest processing and preservation technologies.

She also shows interest in developing eco-tourism and traditional craft villages, ensuring food safety, traceability and environmental management in rural areas. Accelerating digital transformation in agricultural production and consumption management is seen as an important solution to enhance efficiency and increase farmers’ incomes.

Le Huyen