A Passionate Lover of Mathematics
Born in 1983, Le Anh Vinh developed a deep passion for mathematics during his time as a student at the Hanoi University of Science’s High School for Gifted Students, Vietnam National University. Vinh’s enthusiasm for mathematics was ignited by his teachers, who showed him the beauty and allure of the subject.
In 2001, Vinh achieved a silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and a gold medal at the Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiad. With a prestigious scholarship from the Australian government, Vinh completed his B.S. in Mathematics (with Honors) and Computer Science from the University of New South Wales, Australia in 2005. He went on to pursue his Ph.D. in Mathematics at Harvard University in 2010, at the young age of 27. In 2011, Vinh worked as a visiting scholar at the University of Rochester, Mathematics Department. Despite many opportunities to work in the United States, Vinh chose to return home and contribute to the development of young mathematicians by joining the University of Education, Vietnam National University-Hanoi.
In 2012, Vinh earned first prize at the Vietnam Young Science Talent Award and Young Talented Scientists Award of Vietnam National University-Hanoi. He also received Hanoi’s Ten Outstanding Young Faces Award in 2013 and the Creative Youth Badge of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in the same year.
Dr. Le Anh Vinh.
Dr. Le Anh Vinh with his student, Truong Quang Dieu, who won a gold medal at the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge 2019.
In a mathematics class at ‘Learn Math with Jenny’ club.
Children find mathematics interesting thanks to Vinh’s class.
With his young students.
In 2017, Le Anh Vinh led Vietnam’s team at the 58th IMO in Brazil, where his team achieved an impressive third place out of 112 participating countries, with four gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal.
As both a mathematician and a teacher, Le Anh Vinh strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire and develop mathematical talents in the country. In 2015, Vinh founded the “Learning Math with Jenny” club, which offers preschool and primary school children the opportunity to learn arithmetic, combinations, geometry, mathematical thinking, algorithms, logic, and statistics in a simple and age-appropriate manner. The club, led by a team of trained mathematics teachers, has attracted hundreds of children and has become a bridge connecting children with the captivating world of mathematics, which goes beyond mere calculations and numbers, offering a colorful and fascinating picture. Many children who have attended the club have gone on to win prizes, such as Truong Quang Dieu, who received a gold medal at the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge in 2019.
The model of Vinh’s mathematics club has been implemented in numerous primary schools, and its teaching program is now included in the Ministry of Education and Training’s standard curriculum.
A Creative Education Administrator
Vinh has held various positions at the University of Education, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, including Deputy Head of the Scientific Research and International Cooperation Division (2011-2013), Director of the Center for Education Research and Application (2014-2015), and Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Education and Principal of the High School of Education Sciences (2016).
In each role, Vinh has inspired his colleagues with his vision that education is not limited to pedagogy and teacher training, but also encompasses the science of education and administration.
Le Anh Vinh has conducted extensive research in the field of education and has published 51 papers in international journals. He has also presented more than 30 reports at international and national science conferences.
Discussing with international experts on how to attract schoolgirls to science and innovation.
Dr. Le Anh Vinh speaks at a seminar on ‘Promoting Schoolgirls’ Interest and Participation in Science and Innovation through STEM Education and Digital Skills’.
As of 2017, Le Anh Vinh has been appointed as the Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES). The VNIES plays a crucial role in advising the Minister of Education and Training on matters of education and training, state administration, and policy-making in the education sector.
“Holding the position of Deputy General Director of VNIES is a significant responsibility and challenge for Dr. Le Anh Vinh. The Institute requires young talents like Vinh to develop new education programs and textbooks, as well as to devise strategies for human resources in order to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution,” states Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga.
Both as a mathematician and a teacher, Le Anh Vinh has instilled a love for mathematics in his students, showing them that this subject is not only an enjoyable game to play, but also a useful tool for creating practical inventions. As an education administrator, Vinh has made notable contributions towards bringing Vietnam’s education sector closer to international standards.
