On 24 September 2025, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Vietnam and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) successfully organised a scientific seminar entitled “Intersecting Perspectives from Space: Journeys, Innovation and France-Vietnam Cooperation”.
The special event welcomed Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman to travel into space, together with Jean-Pierre Haigneré, test pilot and veteran astronaut, as well as scientists from USTH’s Faculty of Space and Earth Sciences.
Inspiring Stories from Space
During the seminar, hundreds of students, lecturers and researchers listened attentively to the experiences shared by two iconic figures of the French aerospace industry. Claudie Haigneré and Jean-Pierre Haigneré offered first-hand insights into the journey towards becoming astronauts-a path that demands not only outstanding scientific expertise, but also resilience, perseverance and a strong spirit of international cooperation.
In particular, their accounts of living and conducting research in microgravity enabled USTH students to gain a clearer understanding of both the challenges and opportunities presented by space science. From biomedical experiments carried out aboard space stations to the intersection of different scientific disciplines, Claudie Haigneré emphasised the importance of innovation as inseparable from human values, highlighting science as both a source of knowledge and a driving force for sustainable development.
Highlight: International Collaboration and the Aspiration for Exploration
Beyond personal experiences, the seminar also fostered insightful discussions on several pressing issues, including the relationship between humanity – the Earth – the Universe, international cooperation in scientific research and technology; and the prospects for the development of Vietnam’s space sector within the framework of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and France.
The seminar proved especially inspiring for USTH students, particularly those enrolled in the Space Science and Satellite Technology programme, one of the University’s flagship disciplines. The opportunity to meet, engage with and learn directly from world-renowned astronauts not only broadened students’ perspectives on scientific research and future careers, but also strengthened their confidence and aspirations to explore new frontiers of knowledge.
An Unforgettable Milestone at USTH
More than just a scientific discussion, the event on September 24 was a meaningful moment for the USTH community to experience first-hand the spirit of internationalization in education and research that the University has consistently pursued.
By meeting and engaging directly with some of the world’s leading astronauts, USTH students gained not only valuable knowledge but also greater confidence, developed their ability to ask questions and broadened their perspectives. These are among the core values that USTH seeks to foster: cultivating a learning environment closely connected with practical research and integrated into the global scientific community.
As a result, the event became a powerful source of inspiration, instilling in students the belief that the pursuit of science is not only a journey of discovery, but also a commitment to serving humanity.
| Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman to travel into space, is also a scientist and politician.
She began her scientific career as a rheumatologist at Cochin Hospital in Paris before being selected by the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) in 1985 as a scientific astronaut. She subsequently conducted research at the CNRS Sensory Neurophysiology Laboratory and earned a doctorate in neuroscience. She later took responsibility for life sciences and space medicine programmes at CNES. She completed two space missions: in 1996 aboard the Mir space station and in 2001 aboard the International Space Station (ISS) under the auspices of the European Space Agency (ESA), becoming the first French woman in space and the first European woman to visit the ISS. After concluding her career as an astronaut, Claudie Haigneré held several prominent political positions, serving as Minister for Research from 2002 to 2004 and Minister for European Affairs from 2004 to 2005. Between 2009 and 2015, she headed Universcience, the public institution overseeing two of France’s leading science centres. She subsequently served as an adviser to the Director General of ESA, focusing on European space policy and lunar exploration projects. Claudie Haigneré has been a committed advocate for science and technology, with a particular emphasis on encouraging young women to pursue careers in these fields. She has been actively involved with a number of foundations and organisations, including the L’Oréal Foundation, the CGénial Foundation, the Airbus Foundation and the Van Allen Foundation. She is a member of the French Academy of Technologies, participates in several groups dedicated to innovation, and holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the French Air and Space Force Citizen Reserve. |
Memorable moments from the seminar:
