Dong Ngoc Ha, a biological science student
at the Hanoi University of Science - Vietnam National University (Photo: VNA)
The finalists shortlisted for this year’s prize have been selected from over 3,500 nominations and applications from 94 countries and territories around the world.
Candidates who apply for the Global Student Prize are assessed on a range of criteria, including their academic achievements, influence on their peers, and how they made a difference within their local communities.
The winner is due to be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in Paris, France, in November and will receive a cash prize of 100,000 USD.
Ha has received a number of awards, including a third-class Labour Order in recognition of his outstanding achievements in labour, creativity, and national construction, a silver medal at the International Biology Olympiad 2020, and the first prize at the Vietnam Biology Olympiad 2020.
In 2019, he founded the Biology For All Vietnam project which was the first pro-bono scheme of its kind for gifted students in Vietnam. The project brought together a team of seven lecturers to teach National Biology Olympiad teams in 10 localities across the country.
Vietnam likely to lower GDP growth to 3.5 - 4% this year
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung says his Ministry is considering revising Vietnam’s economic growth rate target to between 3.5% and 4%, as opposed to the 6.5% originally expected, due to the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its heavy toll on Vietnam's economy which is likely to grow by 3.5-4% in 2022, much lower than the 6.5% target originally estimated. (Source: VOV)
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its heavy toll on Vietnam's economy which is likely to grow by 3.5-4% in 2022, much lower than the 6.5% target originally estimated.
This revised target will only be achieved if the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is successfully brought under control by September and the country enters a new normal status, starting from the fourth quarter of this year, said Minister Dung during a conference held on September 14 in Hanoi to review socio-economic development and public investment.
In the event that the revised target proves to be realistic, 2021 will be the second consecutive year that Vietnam has failed to meet its growth target after recording growth of 2.91% last year.
“Though the revised rate is a bit low, the growth is quite impressive given global uncertainties,” said Minister Dung.
According to the investment minister, the implementation of social distancing measures has dealt a heavy blow to business production and employment nationwide. In addition, the mobilisation of all resources for the COVID-19 fight has greatly affected budget revenue and expenditure, while the prolonged outbreak has also impacted the formation of new businesses and the attraction of foreign direct investment.
Minister Dung said that next year would present both opportunities and challenges due to the pandemic set to last for a long time and many countries now accepting that they must live with the virus.
“Extending social extending to a larger extent is not the way as it will lead to heavy consequences both economically and socially,” he stressed, noting the fact that when the vaccination rate is high, many countries have begun to reopen their economies in parallel with implementing COVID-19 prevention measures.
In his opinion, the world economy is anticipated to gradually recover over the course of next year. However, its recovery will be slower than previously forecast and will be different in countries depending on their vaccination coverage. Global trade order and investment structure would inevitably change, including production and supply chains that would eventually affect Vietnam.
“It is necessary to identify opportunities to take advantage of the recovery process and at the same time to limit risks,” he said.
Based on calculations, Minister Dung anticipates that Vietnamese economic growth will increase by between 6% and 6.5% in 2022.
The minister also added that the Government recently adopted a resolution to remove difficulties for businesses and people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He therefore suggested that localities must accompany businesses, listen to their opinions, and meet their requests in their capacity.
Hanoi installs cameras for QR code scanning at 67 checkpoints for COVID-19 prevention and control
Hanoi police has installed cameras to scan QR code at 67 checkpoints for COVID-19 prevention and control across the capital city.
People need to fill in their personal information at http://suckhoe.dancuquocgia.gov.vn or VNEID application before joining the traffic, and show the generated QR code at the checkpoints. The code will be valid for 72 hours.
After scanning, a system at the Police Department of Administrative Management of Social Order under the Ministry of Public Security will automatically verify the information.
The system is expected to detect COVID-19 patients and people having direct contact with them, as well as those who have been fully vaccinated, in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic./.