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“Eureka – Challenge Your Mind” Award Ceremony
“Australia – My Lifelong Experience”
Speech by
Australian Ambassador, H.E Mr Bill Tweddell
21 January, 2007 – Hanoi
Dear Ms Lâm Phương Thanh, Secretary of Vietnam Communist Youth Union, President of Vietnam Student Association.
Mr. Đoàn Công Huynh, Editor in Chief, Hoa Hoc Tro and Student Magazine
Distinguished guests, media representatives, judging panel
Dear contestants
It is so lovely to see you here today, especially on Sunday morning. I know that some of you have travelled a long way to attend this award ceremony. I thank you all for your time and effort.
This event is a part of our Australia Month activities focusing on culture and education. The “Eureka – Challenge Your Mind” contest has been run for 2 months and received extensive responses from young science-lovers in Vietnam. I am pleased to know that 502 ideas and proposals, plus 20 products from 28 provinces and cities, were submitted.
Young Vietnamese are highly regarded - by Australians and others - as hardworking and active people. I’ve learnt that Vietnamese students always achieve high ranks in the international Olympiads, especially in science subjects. This mirrors the experience in Australia where students of Vietnamese also excel in these disciplines. The contest that Australian Education International Vietnam and Hoa Hoc Tro put together has brought a new chance for youngsters to explore their possibilities, to challenge themselves in experiencing science principles in a fun and creative way. I have been told that the judging panel worked very hard on such a large number of entries to provide fair judgments, for a fair result.
With a dominant number of ideas – 502 ideas vs. 20 products, there is huge potential for putting all these ideas into practice. I would encourage these contestants to discuss further with your teachers, or the program science consultants, how best to apply your ideas to real life, as improving your ability in applied science is an important part of your learning process.
I am also pleased to share with you the love and interest of Australians on science. Our culture of discovery and innovation has shaped our nation as a pioneer in innovation and inventiveness. Australia is recognised internationally in many areas of the sciences and is at the forefront of research, including in immunology, mining and energy and renewable energy technologies, biotechnology and nanotechnology, stem cell research and regenerative medicine. You might know that among the list of Australian scientific innovations we can include the black box, the bionic ear, polymer notes, the ultra sound scan, to name just a few.
12 Australian Nobel winners; 100 years of innovative achievements; leading discoveries in science and technology – these are distinctions which Australians are very proud. The exhibition today also highlights key Australian achievements and developments in science. I invite you to find out more about Australia’s 100 years of discovery and innovation in science and technology.
In Australia, the education system plays a crucial role in nurturing the creativity and talents of all students. The emphasis is our turning out graduates who are flexible and innovative. Both for domestic and international students and researchers, Australia provides the freedom and environment for the mind to explore all possibilities and extend talents. Australia welcomes talented Vietnamese students to enjoy a world class education.
Today we honour all the winners of the contest, who are to be congratulated for their time and effort. Even if some of you might not have won awards, the very fact of participating in this contest is a credit to you. Keep up your enthusiasm and passion toward science.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Another integral part of the event today is the photo graphic exhibition “Australia – My lifelong experience”. The photos explore the daily life of Vietnamese students in Australia with an emphasis on Australia’s multicultural society as experienced through the eyes of Vietnamese. The exhibition will be open for 7 days. I invite you all to have a good look at the photos.
Enjoy and thank you.