A researcher in the University of Bath’s School of Management has been named as one of Vietnam’s 20 most inspiring women for 2021.
Dr Hong Bui, pictured, appears in the first list created by global business magazine Forbes for Vietnam and featuring women who pioneer or lead others to explore new areas and overcome limitations and challenges.
Dr Bui, a member of the leadership team in the school’s International Centre for Higher Education Management (ICHEM), said: “I am delighted to receive the accolade but I would like to point to the many other inspirational women who are transforming society for the better each day.
“My work in Vietnam has enabled me to collaborate with researchers and experts from many countries and across disciplines to understand the concerns and aspirations of local communities in relation to sustainable development. That has been a hugely inspiring experience.”
Dr Bui has worked with colleagues from across the world in economics, health, infrastructure planning and more, to collaborate with communities in Vietnam and devise development plans that mirror their values and priorities.
From a project in Yen Bai, a disadvantaged mountainous province in the north of the country, the team succeeded in putting wellbeing on the list of key indicators for the government’s development of a province, and it is now used by local government across the country.
During the project the team had to navigate tensions between aggressive economic development versus quality of life and wellbeing to lead the development of a strategy that moved the focus away from building large industrial zones.
Instead it centred on improving wellbeing, protecting the forests, and sustaining the environment.
Households were encouraged to develop their own business in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, working with existing organisations to gain business skills and knowledge.
ICHEM leads the way in research on higher education innovation, supporting strategic change with governments, higher education institutions and international organisations.
ICHEM director Prof Rajani Naidoo said: “Hong’s research illustrates the importance of co-creating solutions for development with local communities. Linking educational strategies with other disciplinary expertise to sustain vulnerable communities reflects ICHEM’s vision of innovating in education to contribute to global wellbeing.
“We are immensely proud of Hong’s contribution to transforming the lives of some of the poorest communities in Vietnam, through sustainable development, innovation and start-up support, and this recognition is richly deserved.”
