International co-operation in science and research is essential for economic growth and higher living standards, an official said at a US-Viet Nam conference on scientific co-operation held yesterday, September 24, in HCM City.

Phan Minh Tan, associate professor and director of the city' + char(39)+ N's Science and Technology Department, said scientists must co-operate to find ways to commercialise research products and apply those results in practice to serve demand.

Long-term relations

The US Consul General in HCM City, Kenneth Fairfax, who also spoke, said: "I' + char(39)+ N'm happy to see the growing use of technology in Viet Nam as well as the strong linkage between scientists and the US and Viet Nam."

Dr. Shawn Thorne, representative of the US delegation, said the US recognised that Viet Nam and HCM City "were dynamic and full of potential. We' + char(39)+ N're delighted to be here to start our long-term relationship."

The American group represented the office of Global Naval Research, the US Army International Technology Centre-Pacific, and the Asian Office of Aerospace R&D.

HCM City has 35 universities, 300,000 students and 90 R&D organisations with 10,000 staff.

"We are focusing on information technology research, GIS application, new materials, bio-technology, automation, environmental resources protection, urban management, energy, computer science and industrial technology," Tan said.

At the conference, scientists spoke about Viet Nam' + char(39)+ N's potential in the fields of energy, communications and scientific computing.

"There is a high potential to exploit solar energy with a strong commitment from the Government to support renewable energy," said Le Chi Hiep, director of the programme on renewable energy and energy conservation at Viet Nam National University in HCM City.

With solar energy, the northern region would have 1,800-2,100 hours annually with the south 2,000-2,600 hours.

Among the participants, Vietnamese scientists spoke about research on green energy and wind power. The use of advanced materials and nanotechnology was discussed by other presenters.

"For the last 15 years, nano-electromechanical systems have led to the creation of many diverse products driven by developments in manufacturing methodologies, new materials and component-integration strategies," said professor Dennis L. Polla of the University of Minnesota.