Progress in the Area of Gender Equality in International Mining: Interview with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Nguyen Thi Hoai Nga

Prof. Nga Nguyen serves as the Head of the International Office and Senior Lecturer at the Mining Management Department of Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG), Hanoi/Vietnam. Prof. Nguyen holds a Doctor of Engineering degree from RWTH Aachen University/Germany and a Master’s in Mining Management from HUMG. Her extensive career spans multinational project management, capacity building and fostering educational collaborations, particularly in the cooperation of south-east-Asian countries and especially her home country Vietnam with Germany.

Her research and professional activities are centered on natural resources governance, sustainable development in the mining sector, and enhancing occupational health and safety management. A key participant in significant professional bodies like the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP), she is dedicated to advancing mining management practices globally, with specific insight into the regions of her expertise.

During the interview conducted by Angela Binder and  Mareike Schubert from the Institute of Mining at Clausthal University of Technology (CUT), Clausthal-Zellerfeld/Germany, Prof. Nguyen explored her extensive experience especially in Southeast Asia and Germany. She shared her views on the advancements in gender equality and the crucial role academia plays in shaping this development on both national and international levels.

Mareike Schubert/Angela Binder: Throughout your career, you have passed through numerous stages and met a variety of people. Are there particular individuals or experiences that have played a key role in your professional development?

Prof. Nguyen Thi Hoai Nga (Figure 1): This is indeed a broad and interesting question. I have been engaging in the mining education for more than 20 years and have gather experience, not only in Vietnam, but also in Germany and a few other countries working with the colleagues and students of other mining universities and industries. All together form like a puzzle a whole picture and thanks to international networks, like the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP), I could meet a lot of people and I had very good experience and could also meet female mining professors that have been an inspiration in my career. Coming from Vietnam, a developing country, there are very few female lecturers in the mining sector at universities. When I had opportunity to network with international female colleagues, I could see also my future and also the opportunity to go further with my career. Many of these colleagues from SOMP have become role models and I can follow their steps. Additionally, I actively support female students in mining universities not only in Vietnam but also in countries like Myanmar and Indonesia. I encourage them to trust in their educational path and career prospects within the mining industry.

Schubert/Binder: You already mentioned the fact that there are only a few female mining professors worldwide. Does this fact influence your behavior as a role model?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: So, when I had the opportunity to work with my colleagues, e. g. in the Society of Mining Professors, I also understood how committed my female colleagues were to the society and how much they have contributed to their educational careers. They also support their students, not just the females, but all students. I have seen their dedication and hard work, enabling them to reach milestones in their careers. This serves as a lesson for students in developing countries. I can show them and also link my students to role models at advanced or leading mining universities. Our students can see that if they try hard and work diligently, they can achieve their goals. We should not only inspire our students but also help make their dreams a reality. And that is how I continue my work, by keeping connected with my students and alumni.

Schubert/Binder: At the university, supported by your team, you manage collaborations with diverse stakeholders. A significant and diverse group among them is the industry. How do you view your role as a professor, especially related to this collaboration with the industry, in raising awareness for gender equality in the mining sector?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: I think I can answer this question mainly from the perspective of Asian countries. In Vietnam or other Southeast Asian countries, e. g., females are generally not preferred in the mining industry, especially regarding underground work. It’s believed that the mining sector is too dangerous, monotonous and physically demanding for females. Therefore, women are often kept on the surface, working in roles that are related to, but not directly involved in, mining operations. Consequently, opportunities for female employees in mining companies to be promoted are not as favorable as they are for male employees. Gender equality in mining isn’t just about finding a job or getting promoted. It’s also about promoting women in decision-making roles. In developing countries like Vietnam, the mining industry includes not only large companies like those seen in Europe in the past but also smaller scale and provincial level mines, which involve more manual work. Women’s decisions in the mining industry might relate to issues such as compensations for land clearance or how to adapt to the daily environmental changes, challenges in agriculture due to reduced land and other local issues.

So, raising the awareness of gender equality in the mining sector should not only focus on jobs within the industry itself but also extend to broader aspects that require female involvement. We should initiate change starting with the women because the role of women in families and society is changing rapidly. As a result, women in mining-related sectors should be more aware of their capabilities in making decisions than before. Of course, this varies from one region to another, such as in European, Asian, Latin American or African countries, influenced not only by socio-economic but also cultural factors where education is crucial (Figure 2).

Schubert/Binder: As you already mentioned, you also act as a supervisor and mentor trying to encourage students and also aspiring the next generation of mining engineers. And you also highlighted the, I would say, the cultural aspects. How do you feel your role in this regard to enhance gender equality in the mining sector in your country?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: Recently, I had the chance to collaborate with some organizations alongside universities on a project aimed at improving gender equality in the mining industry. That’s why I briefly mentioned the role of women both in families living in mining areas and those working in mining companies in my previous response. It’s crucial that we help change their awareness by providing them with more information, sharing international experiences and taking into account the cultural nuances of each region and community class.

This is essential because people in urban areas often have different perceptions of mining compared to those living near mining sites or belonging to ethnic or minority groups. Therefore, we need to understand the backgrounds of these different groups to find more effective ways of communicating and discussing the importance of gender equality with them.

Schubert/Binder: The mining industry, besides the traditions we have, is also characterized by a great interdisciplinarity. At the same time, we have a huge implementation of new methods and techniques. Also, this interdisciplinarity diversifies the teams we have. How do you see the development from your perspective?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: Correct me if I misunderstood the question, but I believe that modern technology is also changing the role of women in the mining industry. However, it also presents more opportunities for women to find better jobs outside of mining. I don’t mean to speak negatively about mining jobs, but nowadays, the diversification of careers in society is truly significant.

In Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, i. e. many would prefer to become social media content creators rather than working with machinery. I think the mining industry will continue to face challenges with fewer people interested in joining. We have no choice but to embrace and utilize modern technology to overcome this labor shortage.

Schubert/Binder: We also talked already about the importance of internationality because the mining industry is more than other disciplines, more internationally connected also due to the size of the discipline. We already had the example of the Society of Mining Professors, which connects over 400 members worldwide into a network. What significance do networks and international organizations have, particularly for the visibility of women in mining?

Prof. Nga Nguyen:  That’s an interesting question that I want to share a story about: Before I went abroad, before my PhD program in Germany over ten years ago, I had no idea of how my career can go beyond.

Achieving a PhD in Germany seemed like a dream come true. It meant that I could pursue advanced studies and then return to work as a lecturer at my university. However, everything changed when I attended a symposium organized by the Society of Mining Professors. It was there, immersed in the academic atmosphere, that a senior colleague remarked, “you find your future here.” That moment was pivotal. I realized that networking could bridge not only my own gap but also that of my colleagues in Vietnam to the latest technological advancements and research, connecting us with the global community.

This realization had a ripple effect. Our university students and alumni working in various mining companies could now forge stronger global connections. This connectivity didn’t just bring innovative ideas back to Vietnam but also provided our students with greater opportunities abroad, whether they chose to return home or not. Thus, they were better equipped to contribute meaningfully to both Vietnam and their families. This is one facet of leveraging networks and internationalization.

Later, when I became the head of the international office at my university, I drew heavily on my networking experiences and the value of international connections. Employing the resources of the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, where I’ve spent over two decades, we collaborated with renowned educational institutions, organizations and companies worldwide. This enhanced the prospects for the younger generation in Vietnam.

For our female students, improved opportunities at the university level translated into better career prospects upon graduation, whether that was further study abroad, deeper industry connections or overseas employment. Internationalization has become a global trend; missing out on it means getting left behind.

Schubert/Binder: From your professional point of view, you were able to discover both Europe, particularly Germany and also Asia and Vietnam. So what difference do you see between the cultures, especially in terms of gender equality?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: The question reminds me of my first visit to Germany 20 years ago, in 2004, when I was struck by how well people with disabilities were integrated into everyday activities, whether on trains or the underground. This gave me hope that similar opportunities could be achieved in the context of gender equality, to create equal conditions for all.

Now, 20 years later, I have seen significant progress in gender equality in both Germany and Vietnam. However, there are still differences in the way men and women view their roles in both countries.

It is important that the perception of women’s roles changes, and this change should start with education. I’m not just talking about universities, but also primary, secondary and high schools. Education plays a crucial role in how future generations understand and implement equality and inclusion.

Schubert/Binder: Coming to an end, we have one more last question for you. In Germany, we have a saying, which means translated, mining is not just a man’s affair or a one man’s affair. So also for mining, we need only the deposits and the machinery, but especially the people. So what do you think, what can each individual employee in mining do to promote the gender equality and what needs to be changed most urgently?

Prof. Nga Nguyen: Certainly, from the perspective of an Asian female, it’s crucial for every employee within Southeast Asia’s mining industry or specifically in Vietnam, to acknowledge and understand the capabilities and competences of female workers. What I want to emphasize is that the abilities of women should not be underestimated. They have the potential to achieve great things.

Moreover, when discussing the mining sector, it’s important to consider not just the direct roles but also the relevant and indirect ones. In these spheres, the contributions of women should be given particular attention and valued accordingly. This broader recognition can help foster a more inclusive and equitable working environment.

Schubert/Binder: Thank you very much for the interview.