Delegation of the Czech Republic House of Representatives’ Committee for Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports pays working visit to Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
At the reception
Opening the reception, Professor and Academic Chau Van Minh welcomed the delegation of the Czech Republic House of Representatives’ Committee for Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, giving a brief introduction of VAST scientific research activities. He stressed that research, education and training of high quality human resources has been one of VAST priorities over the past years, and the Czech Republic is a long-term traditional partner of the Academy. In the early days of development, the staff who were trained in the former Czechoslovakia were one of the core forces at the Academy, many of whom are currently serving as Institute Presidents, Vice President and Heads of Research Departments.
At present, the Czech Republic Academy of Sciences is the main partner in the cooperation with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The two academies signed a cooperation agreement on science and technology in 1998, re-signed in 2010 and 2015 with the content of cooperation on the exchange of researchers; development of joint research projects; co-organization of conferences and seminars; training; exchanges of scientific information and publications. In addition, the two sides signed the process of building bilateral international cooperation for the 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 periods. Up to now, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Czech Academy of Sciences have completed 8 bilateral cooperation missions, and have 4 ongoing missions. These missions focus on the strengths of the two sides, such as materials science (especially new materials), biotechnology, ecology and biodiversity, and earth science. This is an opportunity for many young cadres at the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology to improve their laboratory skills and gain experience in the international environment, as well as to facilitate the exchange of scholars in Czechoslovakia and field research in Vietnam.
Mr. Václav Klaus (middle) speaks at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Václav Klaus appreciated the warm welcome from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, saying that Vietnam and the Czech Republic had set up a long-term cooperative relationship in trade and investment; and that he hoped the cooperation in science, education and training will be promoted and developed in the same way as in trade and investment. Mr Václav Klaus emphasized that the cooperation in science and education between the two countries is always a leading priority, and the Czech Republic House of Representatives’ Committee for Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports will always support this cooperation.
Lukáš Bartoň, Deputy Chairman of the the Czech Republic House of Representatives’ Committee for Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, announced that every Czech university invests in building and developing its own research center, which is the focus of scientific and technological development. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology can cooperate with the universities of the Czech Republic to send PhD candidates to be trained at these centers and the committee will be willing to assist and provide information for the Vietnamese side.
At the end of the working session, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology expressed its wish to continue implementing activities in the cooperation agreement signed with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; strengthening the connection between agencies of the two academies in material science and environment; and expanding cooperation in the field of education and training with universities in the Czech Republic.
With a population of nearly 100 million people, the demand for training high quality young workers is very high in Vietnam. President Chau Van Minh said he hoped the meeting will open up more potential for cooperation in science and technology education and training between the two countries, through specific cooperation programs, and the Czech Republic will help train a large number of young scientists with high qualifications for the Vietnam Academy of Sciences in particular and for Vietnam in general.
A photo after the working meeting
Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version
