Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology held conference to summarize work in 2021 and implement plan for 2022

2021 is the first year to implement the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress and Resolution of the 8th Party Congress of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology - term 2021-2025. Despite being heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the attention and direction of the Party and Government, the support of ministries, central and local branches, along with the determination and efforts of all staff members and scientists, VAST has well completed the important science and technology tasks assigned by the Prime Minister, the Government and the tasks set out in plan.

Overview of the Conference

In 2021, VAST has achieved good results with a total of 2,265 scientific publications, including 1,607 works in international journals, equivalent to 2020. The number of works in prestigious journals in the SCIE list increased slightly by 3.4% compared to 2020 (although 2020 had increased very high, up to 44.3%). The quality of published works continues to improve, the number of publications in prestigious international journals on the list of SCIE with IF index ≥ 3 reaches 29.3%, of which there are a number of works in international journals with high IF index. The number of publications in international journals rated Q1 accounted for 40%; Q2 and above reached 81.7% (according to Scimago's classification). VAST continues to be the leading unit in the country in basic research.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh presented the report summarizing work in 2021 and implementing plan for 2022 of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

Besides, VAST has successfully implemented many Science and Technology Programs at National and Academy levels, of which Central Highlands Program and Space Science and Technology Program have been successfully completed in the 2016-2020 period; and continued to successfully implement the Physical Development Program to 2025 and the Basic Research Development Program in fields of Chemistry, Life Science, Earth Science and Marine Science for the period 2017-2025. In addition, 02 Type II International Centers under the auspices of UNESCO are the International Center for Physics and the Center for International Research and Training in Mathematics (opened in 2018 and officially launched on October 29, 2021) promoted the Academy’s strengths in basic research in the field of Mathematics and Physics.

In basic investigation activities, VAST continues to carry out basic investigation tasks and assess the country's natural resources, focusing on research on biodiversity and building databases on plant and animal species for different regions in Vietnam.

Research and application of technology continues to be promoted. In 2021, VAST was granted 63 Invention Patents and Utility Solution Patents, including 03 international patents. VAST has participated in 02 events to introduce and promote national science and technology: the International Innovation Exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; co-organized with the Information Technology Department (Ministry of Science and Technology) and the Women's Intellectuals Association displayed products with the theme: "Technological innovation - Connecting businesses" to introduce research results of the Academy to society and businesses.VAST continues to be awarded the "Innovation Leadership" award in 2021 in South Asia and Southeast Asia by Clarivate.

In 2021, VAST has implemented 90 tasks and topics in cooperation with ministries, branches and localities. The research results have practical application and are transferred to localities, production facilities and businesses. Moreover, in 2021, affiliated units have implemented over 1,633 S&T contracts, an increase of 36% compared to 2020. The total number of implemented tasks and projects at all levels is 629.

In 2021, despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, VAST still maintains exchange connections with international partners, implements bilateral cooperation tasks, organizes and participates in online conferences, seminars and signing cooperation documents. Specifically, VAST signed a cooperation document with the French National Center for Scientific Research on gene transfer, with Czech Academy of Sciences on the implementation of bilateral international cooperation tasks in the 2022-2023 period. The affiliated units have signed 36 documents on cooperation, exchange of scientific research and training in many fields. Within the framework of the official visit to the UK and France by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in the field of Earth observation satellites with French National Center for Space Research (CNES) and Airbus Defense and Space Corporation (Airbus SAS). Additionally, in 2021 the Academy continued to coordinate with the Russian Academy of Sciences to carry out the 7th research survey trip to Vietnam's waters by the ship Academician Oparin.

In 2021, 10/12 specialized scientific journals under the Academy have been published 100% in English, only the Journal of Biotechnology and Journal of Marine Science and Technology have 50% of the publications published in Vietnamese. The Academy has partnered with Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd on book publications. Accordingly, paper publications will be released in Vietnam and electronic publications will be released for global distribution by Springer. Last year, VAST published 74 monographs.

Besides, other science and technology activities also achieved good results such as stable operation of VNREDSat-1 in orbit, continuing to provide satellite images for effective scientific research and defense - security; the operation of the network of earthquake observation stations serving tsunami warning and information in 2021 has recorded 150 earthquakes in the territory and territorial waters of Vietnam; and actively implement the activities of Vietnam Museum of Nature, complete and end the implementation of the 2010-2020 period project "Building the National Collection of specimens of Vietnam's Nature".

In undergraduate and graduate training, Graduate University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Institute of Mathematics have organized many enrollments for students in 2021. The quality of training is improving and the number of students entering the school is increasing.

In 2021, for the first time, VAST implemented the Program to attract young scientists to work at the Academy and selected 14 young members who were not on staff to participate in the Program. Furthermore, VAST continues to promote the implementation of the Program supporting young cadres in order to attract young, talented and highly qualified cadres to work at the Academy. In 2021, the Academy supported 114 young cadres including 62 Doctors, 39 Masters and 13 Engineers and Bachelors.

Other regular activities of VAST, such as on Organization - Personnel, Office, International Cooperation, Planning - Finance, and Inspection, have come into order and achieved good results, along with activities of the Trade Union and the Youth Union contribute to the common achievements of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Also within the framework of the conference, delegates heard a number of illustrative reports on the operation and results of VAST’s units in the past year.

Prof.Acad. Chau Van Minh awarded emulation flags to the units

Prof.Acad. Chau Van Minh and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh awarded certificates of merit to the units that won the title of Excellent Labor Collective

Prof.Acad. Chau Van Minh and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Chu Hoang Ha awarded certificates of merit to departments and equivalent to winning the title of Excellent Labor Collective

Prof.Acad. Chau Van Minh and Assoc. Prof.Dr. Tran Tuan Anh awarded the certificate of merit from VAST President to the unit and the room collective

Prof.Acad. Chau Van Minh awarded the title of Academy-level Emulation Fighter to individuals

With the achieved results, in 2021, many VAST collectives and individuals have been awarded prizes by the Government for outstanding achievements in scientific research, technology application and deployment. Specifically, 04 units were awarded the Emulation Flag of the Government, including the emulation flag of the Government presented to VAST - the leading unit in the Emulation Division of Ministries, Science - Culture - Society; 06 units received the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister; 01 officer received the 3rd class Independence Medal; 07 officials received the Third-class Labor Medal; and 03 officers received the Second-class Labor Medal. Regarding awards at VAST level, the Certificate of Merit from the President of VAST was presented to 03 individuals; Medals were awarded by the Academy to 40 individuals, including 02 medals given to foreigners.

In order to commend the units, collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in their work in 2021, VAST leadership awarded the Academy's Emulation Flag title to 09 units; awarded the title of Excellent Labor Collective to 30 units and 25 Departments (and Centers); awarded the title of Emulation Fighter at the Academy level to 06 individuals; awarded the Certificate of Merit from President of VAST to 07 units and 03 collectives; awarded the Certificate of Merit from President of VAST to 10 individuals; 01 collective and 6 individuals were rewarded for extraordinary achievements.

Taking event photo

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version