Eight Vietnamese scientists, including two working at universities in France, are attending the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) held in Singapore from Jan. 19-24 under the theme “Advancing Science, Creating Technologies for a Better World”.

They are among the 357 young scientists from 22 countries and territories invited by Singapore to the second GYSS under the auspices of the Singapore Prime Minister Office’s National Research Foundation (NRF).

Talking with Vietnam News Agency’s reporters basing in Singapore, the post-doctoral fellows and Ph.Ds of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology hoped to find useful engagement with 18 top science and technology speakers, including 13 Nobel Laureates and three Fields Medallists. They would like to find opportunity and time, exchanging experience and ideals for research as well as connecting for research network with their friends, all under 35 years of age, from many parts of the world in order to enrich their knowledge.

Prof. Low Teck Seng, Chief Executive Officer of the NRF and Co-Chairman of the GYSS Organizing Committee, told VNA Singapore-based reporters that the focus of this year’s summit is to build a strong global research network and to attract talented researchers to Singapore.

Participants will join discussions covering the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

This year, for the first time, a series of public talks with GYSS speakers will be hosted in conjunction with local universities, education institutes and public agencies.

Part of the GYSS is the Singapore Challenge, which aims to recognise original and innovative ideas from participants of the GYSS that address challenges related to urban development in future cities. Submitted to Singapore Challenge 2014 were 35 proposals, including one by a Vietnamese participant.

Concurrently, the sixth International Science Youth Forum will be held for 90 high school students, including 40 foreigners, and 31 educators with 18 coming from abroad. This year’s theme is “Science for Humanity in the 21st Century”.