Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam attends Dialogue with scientists to solve obstacles in implementation of scientific and technological projects and tasks

At the dialogue

Attendants at the dialogue also included Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh, Minister of Science and Technology; Mr. Tran Xuan Ha, Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr. Nguyen Van Tung, Deputy Head of the Office of the Government; Mr. Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and scientists from two academies.

During the dialogue, scientists shared openly problems during the implementation of scientific research projects and programs, and gave proposals to the Deputy Prime Minister and relevant ministries and agencies on the financial mechanisms and policies for science and technology activities; the procedure for considering and approving the projects; application and deployment of technology; and the development of science and technological human resources, in order to remove difficulties and obstacles; boost administrative reform, and enhance the efficiency of the State management over scientific and technological research and investment in science and technology.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh talks directly with scientists at the dialogue.

At the request of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh directly discussed each of the issues raised by scientists. The Minister confirmed that over the past time, the Ministry has simplified and cut down many procedures in the process of approval of scientific research projects. In particular, the Ministry will promote self-control in science and technology organizations; requirements and procedures for checking and accepting the projects ensure appropriate payment, simplifying administrative reform and suitable legal regulations; and synchronous implementation of procedures. Many works are continuing to be carried out, looking towards publicity and transparency of all steps of scientific research, developing a council to check that the projects meet international standards.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Science and Technology will focus on improving the legal framework on registration and storage of results of performing science and technology tasks at all levels nationwide; issuing compulsory use of information search results on science and technology tasks in the process of approval and selection and checking of tasks (with expanded search of domestic and international scientific publications); and completing the organizational system and national databases to support the dissemination of science and technology information nationwide and publicize them online.

Speaking at the dialogue, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam highly valued the whole-hearted contributions of scientists during the dialogue as well as those for science and technology policies in general. The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed the need to find solutions to scientists’ problems and obstacles. Over the past time, policies, strategies, ministries and sectors have actively removed difficulties and obstacles for scientists; however, there is still a gap between the desire and implementation, between general policies and specific rules, and between saying and doing.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam delivers a speech at the dialogue.

The Government and the Prime Minister have directed to deal with this problem with a spirit to act in a practical and effective manner. To do so, first in the system, it is necessary to tighten discipline and strengthen inspection of tasks assigned to ministries and sectors. Additionally, many dialogues should be organized to address remaining issues. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, this dialogue was the beginning of many dialogues on specific issues in scientific research involving managers and scientists. Together with the answers of the Minister of Science and Technology, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences to review the whole operation mechanism relating to self-control right to add it to the agencies’ scientific tasks. This is the core task for self-control in organization, personnel work and financial mechanism.

The second point which the Deputy Prime Minister said was extremely important was that all steps relating to science and technology research such as registration of topics, results, assessment process, and vote for results, must be public and transparent. Topics should be connected with domestic and worldwide scientific databases so that scientists do not waste time and effort to search, but just continue to carry out deep and wide research on other angle.

For problems and obstacles relating to technical norms, prices and working days during the implementation of scientific topics, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested the Ministry of Science and Technology act as the agent and representative for scientists to “talk to the specialized ministries”, requiring adjustment written documents.

Regarding the proposal on the mechanism of intellectual property and the handling of property formed during scientific activities, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the State has no need to recover these assets for the budget but for scientific development; therefore, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance should study and issue united guidance.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnames version