Nearly 500 representatives of scientific and technological organizations met on December 26 to review the role and contribution of scientific-technological organizations to the country’s development as well as to identify difficulties and barriers.

In an overview report, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Dinh Tien said that sci-tech activities have contributed remarkably to socio-economic development, defence, political security and social order. Achievements include Vietnamese script identification and processing software, kits for virus-related disease testing, 53,000 ton ship construction, the first satellite Vinasat and sci-tech advancements in agriculture.

According to Tien, qualifications of scientists have reached an advanced level in Southeast Asia. The Ministry of Science and Technology has changed operations of sci-tech organizations to enhance their independence, developed the technology market and applied sci-tech achievements in production and the daily life.

“Vietnam has established scientific-technological cooperation ties with nearly 70 countries, territories and international organizations. The country is implementing over 80 sci-tech cooperation agreements at the government and ministry levels. Since 2000, we have implemented more than 540 sci-tech cooperation agreements and contracts,” Tien said.

In contrast, the Ministry of Science and Technology admitted that the qualifications of scientists are still low and Vietnam still lacks experts in many fields. The country doesn’t have any institute, centre or school that meets international or regional standards. Most laboratories are poorly equipped.

“Investment in science and technology in Vietnam is very poor, reaching only $5/person in 2007 compared to China’s $20 in 2004 and South Korea’s $1000 in 2007. The source of investment is mainly the state budget,” Deputy Minister Tien acknowleged.

Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong proposed that, to promote science, Vietnam needs to improve scientists’ qualification, the country’s capabilities in evolving technologies and the technological level in enterprises.

The government has called for links between researchers and businesses. When enterprises don’t pay proper attention to or don’t welcome new technology and cooperate with scientists, then science and technology cannot develop, Phong observed.

The Minister cited mechanisms and policies as hindrances to sci-tech development and stated that the ministry will focus on building wise policies to create breakthroughs. The Ministry also believes that financial policies are the key to development.

According to the Ministry’s latest survey, Vietnam has nearly 1200 sci-tech organizations under the Ministry’s management. The number of staff at state-owned research institutes is 15,000. There are 56,000 lecturers at universities and colleges, but only 1,100 of them are involves in sci-tech research.