The 2026 ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women was presented in Danang on the afternoon of October 14, during a plenary session of the 90th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-90).
Science and Technology Minister Vu Hai Quan speaks at the awards ceremony (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology).
This year’s prize focused on the theme “AI for Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Healthcare in ASEAN”, highlighting the use of artificial intelligence to address challenges facing healthcare systems across the region.
Applications of AI include medical imaging and diagnosis, personalised medicine, drug development, digital healthcare, pandemic response and mental health. The initiative encourages scientists to pursue research that improves healthcare quality, expands access to services and strengthens health systems’ capacity to respond to challenges.
At the awards ceremony, associate professor Ha Thi Thanh Huong of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City won first prize in the mid-career category. Indonesia’s Latifah Nurahmi received an honourable mention in the same category.
In the senior category, Singapore’s Joanne Ngeow won first prize, while Malaysia’s Wai Yie Leong received an honourable mention.
Associate Professor Ha Thi Thanh Huong represented Vietnam and won first prize in the mid-career category (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology).
Established in 2014 under the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women recognises scientific achievements and promotes women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The prize is open to female scientists holding PhDs in applied science who are citizens of one of ASEAN’s 11 member states. It has two categories: mid-career, for candidates aged 45 or younger, and senior, for those aged 46 and above.
The prize helps recognise the contributions of women scientists, promote the role of women in STEM, and strengthen connections, knowledge-sharing and research cooperation among ASEAN countries (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology).
The selection process takes place at both national and regional levels. Each country nominates one finalist in each category, after which a regional panel selects two candidates to proceed to the presentation round.
Between 2014 and 2024, the prize received 418 applications from 10 countries and recognised 23 scientists, with total prize money of USD 240,000.
Vietnam previously had a winner in 2017, when scientist Nguyen Thi Hiep received the award.