Encouraging scientific initiatives in Vietnam

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy spoke at the opening of the Summit of Young Scientists on the morning of May 17, Vietnam is facing competition in technology, thus it is necessary to promote the scientific initiatives among the young people.

Before the end of the talkshow, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy gave the young people advice and talked about the Ministry of Science and Technology’s policy to promote scientific initiatives and technological innovation mong the young people.

For the example of the Faculty of Technology - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, teachers actively linked with the former students who took overseas study, to search for the ways to attract the talented people to work as lecturers. Moreover, Vietnam National University, Hanoi also provided students with good conditions to research many agendas, to provide the young lecturers with such results, to form the competition, and to change the learning environment. Vietnam National University, Hanoi also linked with the foreign corporations, to provide their students with good conditions for research. "University students are the best people to take scientific research because most of them are the good masters and doctorates who took overseas study," said the Deputy Minister.

In addition to the universities, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) has also made many changes that helped young people confidently participate in the topics. The topic leaders had to be the old and experienced scientists before. NAFOSTED has changed in inclusion criteria which are the most recent publications. The councils consist of the young doctors who will help the young scientists be confident and brave to experience the topics.

Moreover, the Deputy Minister further said that the Ministry of Science and Technology has also developed a model of Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST), applied to the model of the world’s researchers. With a workforce of young researchers, the Ministry of Science and Technology hopes that this pilot model will be applied to the development of the national research institutes.

Enterprises encourage scientific initiatives through research orders from the institutes and universities

Said Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung, as he is a lecturer at Vietnam Japan University cum the head of the R&D department, FECON Corp., his business specializes in building the foundation of engineering and renewable energy. Although the resources and science and technology application in practice are very important, there are no experts and researchers as good as the ones who are in the institutes and the universities.

"In the R&D development enterprise, we prioritize to cooperate with the universities and research institutes, such as placing orders with research groups, providing scholarships to the engineering groups, students to form the resources to serve the company's strategy development", said Dr. Dung

Mr. Dung also agrees with Dr. Phi Le's point of view that enterprises should link with the experienced research groups at the institutes and universities, and sponsor enterprises to put their products into practice to look for and train the high-quality human resources.

Affirming the role of University-Industry Linkage, Assoc. Dr. Pham Hung Quy said that the model of sending Doctors to universities for both teachings and working in a group to gain practical experience has been applied in the recent 5 years.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dang Kim Long, representative of Huawei Vietnam, asked why universities did not look for enterprises, especially big enterprises, to place research orders. He said that each enterprise cannot fully understand what each school needs, so it is necessary to actively place enterprise orders. Enterprises are ready to actively support students and institutions if they make specific proposals.

In addition, the universities themselves need to form the playgrounds for their students to participate more and have them "immersed" in the enterprises. The linkage and cooperation network is very important in science and technology. "Common cooperation is the way to create an incubator for today's enterprises and young scientists," he said.

Encouraging the young people to take the research in postgraduate science 

According to Associate Professor Pham Bao Son, although the works and publications on scientific research have increased, Vietnamese research products still exist in the form of models and have not escaped the laboratory and research room. Even in the technology industry, Vietnam only participates in outsourcing, contributing human resources, etc...

Mr. Dang Kim Long - External Affairs Director of Huawei Vietnam was asked about Huawei's support for the creative young people? Said Mr. Long - Huawei owns 14 R&D centers globally. What is the country's strength to base a center? Typically, Huawei sets up an algorithm research center, mathematics in Russia because this is the cradle of Mathematics, it attracts many Russian and global mathematicians to work or there are also the aesthetic centers in France with the strengths in fashion, design or research of microwaves in Sweden. Huawei hopes that Vietnam will promote its ICT strengths to find out its potential and base its center in Vietnam. In the immediate period, enterprises will support Vietnam to develop ICT human resources and build playgrounds for the young people so that they are provided with the good conditions for their development; equipped with skills and knowledge.

Said Mr. Nguyen Minh Quan, Samsung is one of the world's leading corporations engaged in science and technology. Mr. Quan said that Vietnam is an important market for science and technology. Specifically, Samsung's factory-scale in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh is very big.

Samsung representatives said that Vietnamese engineers are very good at developing the applications for Vietnam to serve the international market. With Samsung, the key factor is human beings. Globally, the group has outreach its agendas to the young people in more than 30 countries. In 2021, Samsung launched many agendas, and brought the young people the scientific knowledge of technology 4.0. This will help the young people get ready to respond to the new future technology era, which will take place in Vietnam as soon as possible.

Dr. Nguyen Phi Le - Executive Director of BK.AI Center, a lecturer at the School of Information Technology and Communication, Vietnam National University, Hanoi of Science and Technology further talked about the difficulties of the researchers, the difficulties in research conditions. Ms. Phi Le also talked more about the enterprises’ role. She said that the research needs to start from the real problems, enterprises will come up with problems, scientists will research to find out the solutions; encourage the young people to conduct the scientific research; and promote postgraduate research.

Ms. Phi Le said that there is a shortage of young people who are passionate about postgraduate scientific research, which comes from Vietnamese tradition. Parents usually afford their children until they graduate from university, then the children will work and become independent ones. There are many overseas scholarship funds awarded to graduate students, helping young people feel secure to study. Vietnam also needs more funds to support the young scientists.

Dr. Nguyen Phi Le: '10-20 years ago, students didn't know what a research room was'

As the talk show moderator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), and the speakers removed the knots surrounding the advantages, and disadvantages of the young researchers, and find out what support they need from the leading enterprises.

With the development of science and technology 4.0, a young research force is formed and strongly linked through the intellectual networks, said Assoc. Dr. Pham Bao Son. Therefore, how to arouse the creativity in the young scientific community in Vietnam - the talk show topic is very important and it is also a step in implementing the Ministry of Science and Technology’s strategy of encouraging the young scientists to promote creativity.

Answering the young researchers’ questions about advantages and disadvantages, Dr. Nguyen Phi Le - Executive Director of BK.AI Center, a lecturer at the School of IT and Communication, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the young team has many advantages when the interest in scientific research is much more specific. She said that students had almost no concept of a research room 10-20 years ago, the freshmen and sophomores can, however, take part in it. "I think this is a good sign," said Dr. Le. She said another obvious advantage is that the research environment is getting better and better with the technology development as the scientists link with each other around the world and the young scientists themselves are well-trained and well qualified.

Dr. Le further said the workforce of the young researchers is still thin and small. "As the workforce is so thin that we will find ourselves alone. "In addition, limitations in the problem of expensive machines, for example in IT, chemical industry, and automatic equipment also make many inventions delayed to put into practice.

According to the point of view of Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Head of the R&D Department, FECON Corp; a lecturer and coordinator of the Master's agenda in infrastructure engineering, Vietnam Japan University, besides the strong growth of the state investment in scientific research, the strong development of information technology also helps the young engineers and scientists research and exchange with the world. Nowadays, young people can easily look for the documents in the world's digital document storage and access the actual science sooner. The young people are, however, also subject to more success pressure than their predecessors, the finished products are sustainable and environment protected.

Agreeing with the point of view of Dr. Nguyen Phi Le and Tien Dung, Assoc. Dr. Pham Hung Quy – a Research Lecturer at FPT University said that these statements are true for all universities. In the first period of 5-7 years ago, FPT had no research, their main activities were teaching. Recently, FPT has focused on research, and attracted many young doctors to work. It is, however, difficult because the workforce is still weak, it takes 3-5 years to be stable and make more contributions to society.

Mr. Tran Manh Bao: 'The young people should research more products for Vietnamese farmers'

After hearing the stories from the two representatives of the two enterprises, Mr. Tran Manh Bao - General Director of Thai Binh Seed Group Joint Stock Company presented the topic "What does Vietnamese agriculture need from the young scientists". Mr. Bao said that the 12th Summit orientation identified tourism, agriculture, and digital economy as three key industries. After the outbreak of Covid-19, agriculture affirmed its role in the economy. He gave an example, India announced to stop exporting wheat this morning. Wheat prices may be increased. Said Mr. Bao, the young people engaged in science should choose agriculture, because the field of this industry is still very large.

The General Director of Thai Binh Seed Group Joint Stock Company determined that the application of science and technology was an indispensable part of Vietnam's agriculture 20 years ago. He also cited information showing that the young scientists are the development bridge in all industries.

From his point of view, when he became the leader of the Thai Binh Seed Group, he had a Research Institute established. After many years of development, the enterprise has applied many new technologies, including molecular technology to create many plant varieties that have become the key ones in the production structure of the localities across the country.

Over the years of development, Thai Binh Seed Group has gained many outstanding achievements and become an enterprise operating nationwide. Thai Binh Seed Group always arouses the spirit of creativity and a good idea per day. The successful implementation will be rewarded.

The General Director of Thai Binh Seed Group Joint Stock Company was born in Thai Binh province. He used to be a soldier on the battlefield. When he returned from the battlefield, he wondered what he needed to do to contribute to the national construction. He said that young people should determine their path and ambition. Young people should think positively in any situation. He himself was injured 3 times but he never lost himself before difficulties.

"Successful people always have their own mistakes, the young people should not falter, not be vain, never stop learning," said Mr. Bao. Mr. Bao himself never came to school to learn foreign languages and informatics, but thanks to his high academic spirit, he still has the opportunity to study and attend many events in many parts of the world.

Mr. Bao suggested that the State should agree to develop the policies and mechanisms for cooperation between the State's scientific institutions and enterprises to serve as a basis for more effective linkage and transfer of science and technology.

The State should have the mechanisms and policies to encourage the young scientists to work and research in the field of agriculture; prioritize investment in training scientific and technical human resources for agriculture; to invest more in science and technology enterprises.

At the end of the speech, Mr. Bao advised the young people to research more products for Vietnamese farmers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Lien: 'Enterprises should encourage the young generation to innovate'

As a researcher and business operator specializing in investing in the production and trade of scientific and technological products, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Lien, a co-founder, Vice President of Sao Thai Duong, Vice President of Vietnam Association of Science and Technology Enterprises are well aware of Vietnamese enterprises’ roles and responsibilities in development of products from the scientific research.

Citing the personal story from 30 years ago when she was a student with his participations in scientific research including daily failures, small achievements and encouragement, rewards of individual and corporate sponsors have built her creative dream.

When she has more better conditions, she participated in such meaningful young scientist encouragement activities as founding Student Support Fund of Hanoi University of Pharmacy, awarding prizes, placing research center orders and transferring technology to commercialize products.

She said, from the application of new technology, during Covid-19 pandemic, Sao Thai Duong has had many products such as antiseptic gel, mouthwash, nose and throat spray, ginger oil...

Sao Thai Duong owns 17 inventions and useful solutions in the medical field; the Certificate of Science and Technology Enterprise was granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2016; 2020 National Quality Gold Prize; 2020 UN-Women Award; exporting herbal products to USA, UK, Germany, Russia and China.

Citing the speech of the Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat at 2021 Techfest, Ms. Huong Lien said that initiatives, solutions, innovation and start-up projects, must show the pioneering role in resolving socio-economic problems on the foundation of Vietnamese autonomy, creativity and innovation promotion to represent the young generation.

"We always welcome innovative ideas, new researches that can come up with useful products for people's health care," said she.

Mr. Dang Kim Long: 'Investment in talent cannot harvest after one night'

As the first speaker of the main session, Mr. Dang Kim Long - External Affairs Director of Huawei Vietnam told us the story of promoting the new technology R&D among the young generation. Mr. Long introduced the model of Huawei Vietnam and how the enterprise to promote the young people to take the scientific research. As a researcher and business operator specializing in investing in the production and trade of scientific and technological products, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Lien, a co-founder, Vice President of Sao Thai Duong, and Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Science and Technology Enterprises is well aware of Vietnamese enterprises’ roles and responsibilities in the development of products from the scientific research.

Citing the personal story from 30 years ago when she was a student with his participation in scientific research including daily failures, small achievements, and encouragement, rewards of individual and corporate sponsors have built her creative dream.

When she has more better conditions, she participated in such meaningful young scientist encouragement activities as founding the Student Support Fund of Hanoi University of Pharmacy, awarding prizes, placing research center orders, and transferring technology to commercialize products.

She said, from the application of new technology, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sao Thai Duong has had many products such as antiseptic gel, mouthwash, nose and throat spray, ginger oil...

Sao Thai Duong owns 17 inventions and useful solutions in the medical field; the Certificate of Science and Technology Enterprise was granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2016; 2020 National Quality Gold Prize; 2020 UN-Women Award; exporting herbal products to the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, and China.

Citing the speech of the Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat at 2021 Techfest, Ms. Huong Lien said that initiatives, solutions, innovation, and start-up projects, must show the pioneering role in resolving socio-economic problems on the foundation of Vietnamese autonomy, creativity, and innovation promotion to represent the young generation.

"We always welcome innovative ideas, new researches that can come up with useful products for people's health care," said she.

Mr. Dang Kim Long: 'Investment in talent cannot harvest after one night'

As the first speaker of the main session, Mr. Dang Kim Long - External Affairs Director of Huawei Vietnam told us the story of promoting the new technology R&D among the young generation. Mr. Long introduced the model of Huawei Vietnam and how the enterprise to promote the young people to take the scientific research

Said he, Huawei considers R&D as a marathon, which needs to be continuously invested. Currently, the investment promotion innovation focuses on 3 main fields which are exploring the basic theory, system architecture and structure, attracting talent, and resolving international challenges with the company. Which, attracting talent is one of the problems that the enterprise is always concerned too. "'Investment in talent cannot harvest after one night, but it is a long journey," emphasized Mr. Long.

During the development process, Huawei consents not to put pressure on scientists, but it should form a playground for the researchers to develop. Therefore, the company undertakes to create the resources and finance enough to support the scientists in scientific discovery and creation.

In order to attract, nurture and develop talents, Huawei has deployed many activities globally. The first is Vietnam Seeds for Future scholarship agenda, carried out in over 130 countries. More than 9,000 students participated in a 2-week training agenda at the company headquarters. They will learn about such new technologies as AI, Big Data... thereby encouraging students to more intensively understand science. In Vietnam, the company has been applying since 2015, training 96 excellent students.

Instead of a monetary sponsor, Huawei Vietnam formed a playground for students by organizing a "mobile application creativity" contest, held in 2 years of 2013-2015, with a total prize value of USD 100,000. Via the contest, the company realized Vietnamese students’ potential.

Huawei ICT Academy is considered the land where the students who are farmers are comfortable cultivating. The company will provide the students with seeds, conditions, and skills.

Deputy Minister, Bui The Duy delivered the opening speech

Bui The Duy, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology spoke at the opening ceremony that the Young Scientist Summit is an event organized by VnExpress to celebrate Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18, 2022). May 18 is a milestone to promote and encourage scientists, and potential young people who love science. On this day yearly, universities and research institutes open their doors for scientists and young people to visit and learn.

The Deputy Minister said that Vietnam has gone through the strong development stages and it is time to make a breakthrough based on development from science, technology, and innovation. In order that this may be successful, there are many tasks, including preparing human resources from early, remotely, training from high schools, and even from kindergarten to bring creative passion and discovery to each student. Thereof, the new human resources will be ready to contribute to the nation's development in the future.

He gave an example of the Sputnik event in 1957, the Soviet Union (former) demonstrated superior science when the first human satellite was launched into orbit. Then the US responded positively and followed the development of science and technology around the world, bypassing the laws, bringing creative passion to every student, and enhancing a wide range of university research.

Vietnam deems to face a strategic competition in technology. He highly appreciates technology corporations and enterprises that have created the arousing spirit of young scientists, inspiring to promote the young scientists. In the 5th technological revolution with artificial intelligence and 5G, it is necessary to arouse the innovation in high schools, the young people, to promote the basic and natural sciences.

For the second example, said the Deputy Minister, many of the people attending today's event are from the same generation, 20 years ago, the science competitions came mainly from big cities, and students in rural areas were hard to access to science. Within the latest 10 years, there has been a great change, good students from all parts of the country, from poor districts, have fairly competed with the others from the big cities. He said that this should be considered as an example for Vietnam is be able to compete with developed countries in the world via the digital and internet environment.

The Deputy Minister said that the 2022 Young Scientist Summit with the "Promoting the scientific initiatives among the young people" theme is encouraging, with a flat world in the context of worldwide scientific competition, motivating the young people to pay attention to science, technology, and natural sciences instead of focusing on trade and economy only as before.

Hundreds of invitees attended the agenda

The summit of young scientists began with the applause from the invitees after the MC's opening speech and the introduction of the delegates.

The agenda was attended by Bui The Duy, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, and the leaders of affiliates directly controlled by the Ministry of Science and Technology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Tien Dung - Head of Technology Application Department - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; The leaders of universities with scientific research activities were also present at the event such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son - Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chu Duc Trinh - Vice President of the University of Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Huy - Rector of Phenikaa University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Hai Tung - Director of Institute of Information and Communication Technology - Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

The summit also had the presence of representatives of associations, organizations, schools, domestic and international enterprises, units accompanying the agenda, and young people who love science from universities.

The accompanies, and sponsors of the agenda include Hope Fund, Thai Binh Seed Group, Huawei Vietnam, FECON Corp, and Samsung Vina.

Scientists and students attend the Young Scientist Summit

At 8 a.m., the hall of the 2022 Young Scientist Summit - Promoting the scientific initiatives among the young people was filled with seats. The participants include scientists, managers, and enterprises.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, 33 years old, Genome Research Institute, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology was present at the event at 8:00 am. Mr. Duc said that during the 2 years of the Covid-19 epidemic, he himself regularly participated in the online scientific events. After the epidemic was temporarily relieved, he learned about the event of the 2022 Young Scientist Summit - Promoting the scientific initiatives among young people. The event is a linkage place, a playground, and a common environment for scientists to link with each other.

He himself is a researcher, used to be an overseas student, very eager to have an opportunity to interact with the domestic young scientists. The event is very significant, said he. Here, the scientists and researchers can openly share and interact with the project topics, add more creative scientific ideas, and help resolve the practical problems of life.

Attending the event early, Ms. Dang Thao Yen Linh from the Institute of Technology Applications expected to be able to meet and discuss with the young scientists across the country. She is also a young researcher, she wishes to link and learn information for future research. Learning about the event through the articles published on VnExpress, Ms. Linh highly appreciated the agenda because she could listen to the presentations and opinions of famous experts. The agenda content made her curious, and eager to come to the event to learn the new information.

2022 Young Scientist Summit took place on the morning of May 17 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Science and Technology. With the theme: "Promoting the scientific initiatives among the young people", the summit will have a main session and a discussion session to discuss Promoting the scientific initiatives among the young people.

The agenda has the participation of leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology, famous scientists with many excellent works, and researchers. Scientists expect the summit to be a bridge for the young scientists to share their perspectives and join hands of organizations and enterprises to innovate and take advantage of the strengths of knowledge and science and technology. 

This is the first year that VnExpress organizes a summit with the desire to form a forum for the young scientists, share the problems, propose the solutions to develop the policies to promote initiatives to apply to the life.

On the afternoon of May 16, the authors of the 2022 Science Initiative contest gathered in Hanoi from the localities to prepare for the award ceremony on May 17. The ceremony to honor the winners of VnExpress's Science Initiative Awards will take place on the morning of May 17.

The contest subject is the diverse technology products from anti-counterfeiting with Blockchain, to technological products in agriculture.

As one of leading professional service firms in Vietnam and in the region, Viettonkin also focuses on scientific initiatives and encouraging young talents to creatively innovate technologies. With a team of top-notch experts in the industry, we are confident to be the guider, leader as well as pioneer in research and development in various industries. We can support you with research and development process when you enter Vietnam market! Let our professionals help you with insightful knowledge of Vietnam technological innovation!

Source: Vnexpress