Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and National Academy of Sciences of Belarus advance towards new model of cooperation in science, technology, innovation and strategic technologies
Online meeting between the leadership of VAST and NASB
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Dr Tran Hong Thai, President of VAST, noted that Vietnam is vigorously implementing Resolution No. 57 on the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, which identifies science and technology as a key driver of the country’s rapid and sustainable development. At the same time, Resolution No. 59 on international integration has created new requirements for national scientific institutions to enhance international cooperation, gain access to strategic technologies and engage more deeply in global scientific networks. Prof. Dr Tran Hong Thai also expressed VAST’s strong interest in the reform initiatives currently being pursued by NASB under the leadership of Prof. Vladimir Karanik.
Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai and Prof. Vladimir Karanik during the meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Vladimir Karanik affirmed that Vietnam is one of NASB’s most important longstanding scientific partners, with enduring ties and numerous valuable research outcomes achieved over decades of cooperation. The President of NASB highly appreciated the connecting role played by the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS) across the Eurasian region and acknowledged VAST’s active participation over many years. To improve effectiveness, Prof. Karanik stressed the need to optimise existing mechanisms such as joint laboratories, technology transfer centres and bilateral research programmes. He emphasised that the development of new cooperation models must be closely linked to substantive activities and clearly defined scientific and technological objectives.
The VAST venue of the online meeting
VAST fully concurred with NASB on prioritising the enhancement of existing cooperation platforms through long-term research projects, specialised workshops, exchanges of young experts and more flexible funding mechanisms, rather than creating additional structures. VAST also shared information on the establishment of its Science and Technology Development Fund, which will enable it to take a more proactive role in strategic research and international cooperation. In particular, both sides agreed that young human resources would form the foundation of future cooperation. Accordingly, the two academies will step up efforts to develop young research groups, postdoctoral programmes and mechanisms for scientist exchanges through their affiliated universities and research institutes.
Vladimir Borovikov, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Vietnam, highly valued the role of science and technology cooperation in the traditional friendship between Belarus and Vietnam. He emphasised that, as bilateral relations continue to be consolidated and expanded, cooperation between VAST and NASB not only contributes to scientific collaboration between the two countries but also reflects the level of political trust and long-term ties between the two nations. According to the Ambassador, recent views expressed by Party General Secretary To Lam on science, technology and innovation as drivers of national development share many similarities with the policies being advanced by President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Belarus to strengthen the role of science in socio-economic development and enhance national technological capabilities. He expressed confidence that this convergence in development thinking would provide a favourable foundation for further strengthening cooperation between VAST and NASB in the years ahead.
VAST and NASB aspire to elevate their traditional cooperative relationship into a strategic partnership closely linked to innovation and national technological self-reliance
Group photo at the conclusion of the meeting
Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version
