Promoting scientific and technological cooperation and human resource training between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Wallonia Bruxelles region
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh expressed his pleasure to welcome the Wallonie-Bruxelles high-level delegation to work with VAST – Vietnam's leading science and technology research and development agency, under the Government, with the functions of basic scientific research, technology development, training of high-quality human resources and policy advice. The President said that VAST has just completed the restructuring process to focus resources on key science and technology fields, training high-quality science and technology human resources; at the same time, strengthen international cooperation as one of the strategic solutions to improve research and innovation capacity, contributing to the sustainable development of the country. Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh also highly appreciated the cooperation of Belgian universities in general and the Wallonia region in particular with VAST's research units, especially in some fields such as material corrosion, ecology and resources, and biotechnology. Only through a brief report of cooperation between VAST Institute of Materials Science and Mons University at the meeting, impressive results were shown with six research topics, a joint laboratory of more than 20 equipment, training six doctoral students, organizing dozens of symposiums and publishing more than 20 international scientific papers in the most of them are announcements with high impact indexes. This also shows the close cohesion and effective coordination between scientists from the two sides as well as the support of the Belgian science and technology organization for this cooperation activity.
Agreeing with the VAST’s President comments on the results of the cooperation, Ms. Minister-Prime Minister Elisabeth Degryse especially emphasized that the effectiveness of cooperation between the two sides is evident in both quantity and quality of scientific publications and the effectiveness of training. She expressed her impression of the flexible and methodical approach of the two sides – starting from small projects, combining research and training, implementing seminars with the direct participation of experts from both sides. She affirmed that this cooperation model not only contributes to strengthening the strong friendship between Vietnam and the Wallonia-Brussels region, but can also become a typical model for the region's international scientific cooperation with other partners.
In order to strengthen support for research and training cooperation in the future, the two sides also discussed and signed a Letter of Intent between VAST and the Wallonia Regional Scientific Research Foundation (FNRS). Prof. Acad. Le Truong Giang, Vice President of VAST, shared the development orientation of VAST’s Science Fund to create a breakthrough in research funding, well perform the tasks assigned by the Government to VAST in scientific research and innovation, and at the same time wish to learn from flexible operating models from international Science Funds such as FNRS, thereby expanding the form of cooperation and more effective support for scientists from both sides. Ms. Véronique Halloin, Secretary General of the FNRS Foundation, expressed her pleasure that FNRS and VAST officially agreed to sign a Letter of Intent on Cooperation, opening up the prospect of establishing a co-financing mechanism for bilateral research programs, especially doctoral student exchange programs, postdoctoral and organize joint scientific activities in the future. She emphasized that FNRS currently funds a lot of basic research activities in the Wallonia region, and the fact that VAST has extensive cooperation with universities in the region is a favorable platform to expand cooperation through the FNRS mechanism.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen the existing cooperative relationship, diversify cooperation methods, promote joint research projects, academic exchange programs, joint training programs and jointly participate in international scientific funding programs. As the hub of Europe, home to many of the EU's coordinating agencies for science and technology programmes, the Kingdom of Belgium – especially the Wallonia-Brussels region – can become an important bridge to help VAST and partner universities connect and participate in research and innovation programs within the framework of the European Union.
Immediately after the signing ceremony, the delegation moved to visit Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam's leading unit in the field of materials research, which has a long history of cooperation with Mons University, ULB and partners in the AUF network. Here, the delegation visited key laboratories and equipment areas and discussed the possibility of developing joint research projects in the next period.
The meeting took place in an open, trusting and effective atmosphere, affirming the determination of the two sides to further promote scientific, training and innovation cooperation between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and partners in the Wallonia-Brussels region.
Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST co-chaired the bilateral meeting
Ms. Elisabeth Degryse, Minister and Prime Minister of the Government of the French-speaking Belgian Community (Wallonie-Brussels) co-chaired the bilateral meeting
Overview of the bilateral meeting
Prof. Marie- Georges Olivier, Mons University and Ph.D. Nguyen Anh Son, Institute of Materials Science presented the results of 15 years of cooperation
Prof. Acad. Le Truong Giang, Vice Chairman of VAST, shared about the cooperation between VAST and international partners through National Science Foundation
Dr. Véronique Halloin, Secretary General of FNRS Foundation introduces the FNRS funding model
Signing of VAST Cooperation Letter of Intent – FNRS
Take a souvenir photo at VAST's Central building
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
