On August 12^th, at DIC hotel (Vung Tau city), the National Agency in Southern Region, an agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) held a conference in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, named “Solutions to enhance the role of science and technology Programs in the socio-economic development of the Southern Region”. Mr. Pham Dai Duong, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and Mr. Dang Minh Thong – Vice Chair of Provincial People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

On August 12^th, at DIC hotel (Vung Tau city), the National Agency in Southern Region, an agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) held a conference in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, named “Solutions to enhance the role of science and technology Programs in the socio-economic development of the Southern Region”. Mr. Pham Dai Duong, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and Mr. Dang Minh Thong – Vice Chair of Provincial People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

The event saw the presence of more than 150 representatives from several sectors, including administrative units of MOST, provincial agencies, provincial science and technology enterprises, research institutes and universities in the South. The conference aimed to evaluate the beginning results of implementation of national science and technology programs in the South and to propose solutions to enhance the role of those programs in the social and economic development in the South.

Participants discussed a variety of topic such as: Solutions to improve efficiency in implementing the State Key Science and Technology Program in the South; role of local science and technology budgets in the implementation of State science and technology programs in the South; some of the results of science and technology activities in the 2005-2015 period and key solutions to promote science and technology activities of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province in the 2016-2020 period; Proposing solutions to effectively implement projects assigned in the science and technology Program on improving living conditions in rural and mountain areas and the introduction of the program in the 2016-2021 period; Operational mechanism of local Science and Technology Development Funds.

Leaders of MOST and Ba Ria – Vung Tau PPC also answered to several questions and suggestions from scientists and S&T enterprises. Many of the questions drew on the topic of science and technology development policies of the province and solutions to promote the application of State science and technology Programs in socio-economic development of the province.