(VOVworld) – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key presented the New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Award (NZAS) to four outstanding Vietnamese on Monday for their contribution to friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and New Zealand and between ASEAN and New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (right) presents the awards to Vinamilk Director General Mai Kieu Lien. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

This was part of activities marking the 40^th anniversary of New Zealand-Vietnam diplomatic ties and the 40^th anniversary of New Zealand-ASEAN cooperative ties.

The four individuals were Ton Nu Thi Ninh, an honorary adviser to of the Asia New Zealand Foundation; Mai Kieu Lien, Vinamilk’s Director General; Tran Duc Lam, CEO of Tran Duc Homes; and Nguyen Xuan Vang, head of the Ministry of Education and Training’s International Co-operation Department.

The awards are given to 40 exemplary individuals in the 10 ASEAN countries who are nominated by New Zealand’s Ambassadors to those nations.