AES Vietnam fosters regional talent through scholarships

Daneal Blicblau, liquefied natural gas (LNG) director at AES Vietnam, stated, "We are delighted that the AES Future Energy Scholarship scheme has been expanded to Binh Thuan province in its sixth year of implementation. Since Binh Thuan is becoming a major energy hub in Vietnam, it is vital that high-quality human resources are developed here."

AES, one of Fortune magazine's 500 largest global energy corporations, is shaping the future of the energy industry. Blicblau stated, "We believe participating students will have a productive time networking and gaining new knowledge and skills to prepare for future employment in the energy industry."

The AES Future Energy Scholarship Programme is a component of AES Vietnam's corporate social responsibility drive. AES Vietnam has implemented over 130 initiatives with a total value of over $510 million since 2012, focusing on the four main pillars of health, education, livelihood, and infrastructure. These initiatives have helped to create a lasting difference while improving the quality of life for over 200,000 people in local communities in Vietnam.

Since 2017, more than 300 electrical engineering students have benefited from the scholarships. In addition, eleven scientific research groups led by students from Northern universities have been supported by the scheme to carry out their projects. In addition to financial assistance, the programme provides students with vocation orientation activities and training in soft skills throughout the academic year.

Vice President of UPT Vo Khac Truong Thanh stated, "We are extremely delighted and grateful for AES Vietnam's support of UPT students in general and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering students in particular. The scholarship is a source of motivation and encouragement for students to study hard, advance in life, and acquire and update their practical energy industry knowledge."

In 2023, scholarships were awarded for the first time in the province of Binh Thuan, where AES Vietnam is constructing a combined cycle gas turbine project with a total capacity of 2,250 MW and an LNG terminal project.

With a total investment of $3.2 billion, the power plant and LNG import terminal will play a significant role in shaping Vietnam's energy future by expanding energy sources in conjunction with imported LNG, and by meeting the country's growing demand for sustainable and affordable electricity.

"I consider myself extraordinarily privileged to receive this scholarship." Faculty of Civil Engineering UPT student Nguyen Huynh Cam Huong stated, "The scholarship is not just an avenue of financial support, but also a source of inspiration that will assist me to gain greater confidence in pursuing my enthusiasm for scientific research."

"The AES Future Energy Scholarship is also a valuable opportunity to develop our soft skills. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to gain a better understanding of the industry and gain more practical experience so that we can continue to grow," Huong said.

According to To Kim Lien, director of the Centre for Education and Development (CED), the transition from traditional energy to environmentally and climate-friendly energy sectors is an inevitable trend. "The goal is to develop the industry in Vietnam, however, institutions, policies, financial investments, facilities, and notably human resources continue to pose significant obstacles," said Lien.

According to Lien, CED collaborates with experts, policymakers, and businesses to promote training programmes; provide support for students enrolled in energy-related institutions in Vietnam; and contribute to the development of a highly qualified workforce to satisfy the demands of the Vietnamese market.

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