Building Bridges in the World of Science
My call with Dr. Pham Anh Tuan took place at 9 p.m. Vietnamese time (3 p.m. Swedish time). Dr. Pham Anh Tuan was ready to start the conversation, but when asked about the title of “Vietnamese Young Personality of the Year 2025,” he paused for a long time. Not to list his achievements, but to find the right words to express what he felt.
Dr. Pham Anh Tuan stated that this title represents not only a prestigious reward, but also a significant recognition of a consistent journey in service to science. What he values most are not the number of scientific publications or personal successes, but the way this award honors the humanistic values that youth bring to the community and society.
When I was named and selected, I felt great honor, but also a greater responsibility,” he confessed, his voice slowing down as if weighing each word. “I feel that I must live and work more responsibly, contribute more to my country, and spread more positive values.”
In a field often less prestigious than the sciences, this award is also of paramount importance as a source of encouragement. As Dr. Pham Anh Tuan points out, the value of science lies not in external fame, but in the strength of the bonds woven: academic links with Vietnam, international cooperation, and the projection of the image and spirit of the Vietnamese people around the world.
Therefore, he has become more aware of his “mission”: to become a bridge and a source of inspiration for the younger generation, especially for those destined for a scientific career. The Scholarshipidea.net platform that he founded derives from this desire, helping young Vietnamese people access more international learning opportunities, broaden their horizons, so that one day they can return to their country and contribute with their knowledge and experience.
For Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, this title is not an end in itself, but a simple step. He acknowledges his past efforts but also encourages himself to continue progressing, deepening his knowledge, working with an increased sense of responsibility, and contributing tirelessly to the community and the country.
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According to Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, to progress in this field, one must first have curiosity and passion, which are the starting point of all discoveries. Next come perseverance and discipline, as a good idea can only materialize after many trials, even errors. More importantly, honesty and responsibility towards knowledge are essential: conducting serious and systematic scientific research, without seeking quantity or comparing oneself to others.
“I also think that young people should always keep the spirit of a learner: be eager to learn and constantly curious. Learn from your teachers, colleagues, and those around you, including younger ones. Never think that you are good enough to stop learning.”
In conclusion, there is gratitude. Even today, I am grateful to my family, teachers, friends, and all those who supported and encouraged me. This gratitude has become my motivation to continue to excel, improve myself, and contribute to the community. I am convinced that with these qualities, young Vietnamese people can go even further and develop more in the future,” emphasized Tuan.
For Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, the scientific journey is a constant path, guided by conviction, learning from mistakes, and the desire to share knowledge. As he once expressed metaphorically, a scientist is like a bridge builder. This bridge is not built to be admired, but to connect distant shores between knowledge and practice, between Vietnam and the world, between those who have laid the foundations and the young generation eager to follow in their footsteps.
Throughout this journey, the destination may not be immediately visible, but each bridge is quietly built thanks to perseverance, a sense of responsibility, and an unshakable conviction that the true value of knowledge lies in a journey always directed towards one’s homeland.
Dr. Pham Anh Tuan works at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.
– Project lead for the Integrated Energy Foundation Solutions project;
– Founder of the Scholarshipidea.net website;
– Advisory committee member of the “Rare Earths, Oceans, and Subsurface Technologies” workshop;
– Author of 50 articles in international journals, 36 articles in Q1 international journals (33 as the lead author);
– Vietnamese Experts Association in Science and Technology in Sweden;
– “Exceptional Vietnamese Young Face” 2025 award;
– Golden Globe Awards for Science and Technology 2025;
– International Rising Star in Geotechnical Engineering Award;
– Among the top 2% of most influential scientists in the world (Stanford/Elsevier);
– Silver medal for an outstanding reviewer of an international scientific journal;
– National Olympic Medal in Mechanics;
– Loa Thanh and Kova prizes for outstanding end-of-study projects and research;
– Member of the editorial board of the prestigious international journal Geosynthetics International (Q1);
– Exceptional reviewer for over 30 top international journals in the field;
– Collaborative research and technology transfer with partners in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, and Vietnam;
– Founder of GREENX Lab;
– Supervision of doctoral/master students in Sweden, France, and Vietnam;
– Invited speaker at international conferences.
