In the context of a society which is increasingly recognizing the vital role of women in the fields of science and technology, the IEEE NPSS Women in Engineering (WIE) community organized an inspiring and engaging event in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The main goals of the action were to foster interest among younger generations in pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and give a voice to local female scientists.

The IEEE NPSS WIE event took place on August 18^th, 2025, at the University of Science, Vietnam National University (VNU-HCM) and was planned as a transversal activity of the IEEE NPSS International School on Advanced Topics in Medical Imaging which took place in the same city from August 12^th – 19^th, 2025.

It should be noted that, despite women having played and continuing to play a crucial role in driving innovation and technological advancement, they still face numerous challenges in their careers. To mitigate this, the journey aimed to honor and recognize the significant contributions of women in science. It also focused on raising awareness of the need to create an equitable and supportive environment for women in research. Moreover, the event looked to support them while encouraging younger generations to engage in scientific fields, thereby contributing to the increased presence of women in STEAM.

The WIE session was inclusive and open to everyone. A total of 104 attendees, 87 in person and 17 online, were present, including the students participating in the IEEE NPSS School (age range 20-32) as well as other students from the VNU-HCM (bachelor, master and PhD level).  A few  others interested in the session (general public), including a couple of children, were also present. It is worth highlighting that the event was very diverse in terms of knowledge and fields of research.

Photos of some attendees reading the speakers biographies and of a cute young man who really enjoyed the session

The session started at 1 PM with Dr. Hoang Thi Kieu Trang welcoming the participants. Trang is a recognized faculty member at the University of Science under VNU-HCM (University of Science, VNU-HCM,) and an active member of the IEEE NPSS WIE community. Indeed, she was the local organizer for the school and the WIE event in Vietnam. Her warm opening words which raised awareness of the IEEE NPSS WIE activities, and transmitted the essence of the event to the attendees. She was followed by the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, Assoc. Prof. Tran Thien Thanh, who provided some welcoming words to the attendees and, finally, Dr. Martin Grossmann from the Center for Proton Therapy at PSI, Switzerland and IEEE Senior NPSS CANPS and TNC, highlighted the activities carried out, the  main goals and impact of the school and also, encouraged students to follow their dream career. The opening ceremony was followed by the intervention of six scientists, four international and two local to Vietnam:

• Dr. Andrea Gonzalez-Montoro (Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Instrumentation in Molecular Imaging (I3M) in Valencia, Spain) highlighted the main objectives of the WIE community and the resources available for all its members. She also introduced her field of research —medical physics— and provided a brief overview of her academic and research careers, with the aim of encouraging young people to be passionate about science.
• Dr. Agnette Peralta (Professor at the University of the Philippines and former member of the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines) summarized her impressive career, addressed some of the challenges faced by medical physicists, particularly women, and highlighted their vital role in ensuring safety and effectiveness in therapeutic procedures. After the event and realizing the impact that caused on the public, Prof. Peralta decided to co-organize a WIE event in Manila which will take place in September 2026.
• Dr. Cathy Tsai (Professor at the Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Science, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) and director of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan) shared her experiences in researching BNCT. Her words were a source of inspiration for young women to pursue careers in science, and emphasized the vital role that female scientists play in addressing global challenges.
• MSc. Phan Nguyen Ai Nhi (Faculty member at the University of Science, VNU-HCM) showcased community-connected STEAM (SL-STEAM) projects carried out with the active contribution of undergraduate students from the Department of Mathematics Education and graduate students in Experimental Biology at the University of Science, VNU-HCM. The presented initiatives aim to support visually impaired teachers and students in teaching and learning through interdisciplinary applications. Moreover, these projects affirm the role of women in engineering and education, contributing to the advancement of gender equality in STEAM.
• Assoc. Prof. Vo Luong Hong Phuoc (Head of the Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology at the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics, US–VNUHCM) reviewed the role of mangroves in coastal protection, stressing their capacity as natural barriers against erosion, storm surges, and sea-level rise—threats that are increasingly intensified by climate change. She also discussed the socio-economic benefits of mangrove conservation and illustrated how integrating mangrove protection into broader coastal management frameworks can promote sustainable development while enhancing climate resilience.
• Dr. Cinzia Da Vià (Professor of Physics at the University of Manchester, UK, and Research Professor at Stony Brook University, USA) presented (online) the main objectives of the NPSS Climate Change Initiative which was very well received by the audience and followed the topic started by the previous speaker. She explored the intersection between climate hazards and social inequities, highlighting the role of community-based adaptation strategies and recovery plans led by local communities.

It has to be mentioned, the outstanding help provided by Dr. Nguyen Tri Toan Phuc from the University of Science, VNU-HCM, who provided live-translations of the speeches into Vietnamese since part of the local attendance have limited English proficiency. This action demonstrates that there are no barriers to spread our words and our mission, even if there is a gap in language there is always a solution!

The audience and speakers were invited for a tea break halfway through the event. This networking activity allowed the attendees to approach the speakers, ask questions, share their testimonies and create a nice atmosphere in which we were all feeling comfortable and part of a large international community.

Both the IEEE NPSS school and the IEEE NPSS WIE Event were organized and financially supported by the NPSS Educational Committee in collaboration with the local organizing committee from the University of Science, VNU-HCM. Trang and her team paid attention to every single detail with the result of an outstanding event. Indeed, due to the engagement and high interest shown by the attendees, the event was extended until 6 PM.

To sum up, the 2025 IEEE NPSS WIE activity in Ho Chi Minh city included presentations where female scientists shared their career experiences. The event featured interactions between international and local scientists and also, with the participants. Through this event, the organizers hope to inspire young women to pursue research or academic careers, while also promoting greater public understanding of the contributions of female scientists in building a sustainable future.

Andrea Gonzalez-Montoro, Institute for Instrumentation in Molecular Imaging (i3M, CSIC-UPV) and lecturer for the IEEE NPSS International Schools, can be reached by E-mail at [email protected]