Despite many advances in scientific research and initiatives to convert research results into practical products, our country still faces many challenges in creating an effective innovation ecosystem, from mechanisms, policies, infrastructure, human resources, and cooperation between research institutes, universities and enterprises.
In that context, the Politburo’s Resolution No.57-NQ/TW (dated December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, with breakthrough perspectives, has been assessed by scientists as laying an important foundation for creating a complete ecosystem so that scientific research does not stop simply at creating knowledge but also transforms it into technology, applied in practice, thus promoting innovation.
Resolution No.57-NQ/TW mentioned solutions to promote applied research; increase investment in research and development; reform the management method of science and technology tasks; develop research institutes and universities into strong research entities; closely combine research, application and training; encourage public-private partnerships in technology development; and so on.
According to experts, many countries have been successful in building an innovation ecosystem, putting scientific research into practice and promoting the process of technology development. For example, countries such as the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have policies to encourage close cooperation between universities, research institutes and businesses; their innovation systems are not only supported by their governments but also have the active participation of the private sector, with venture capital funds and businesses always looking for opportunities to transform scientific inventions into commercial products.
Vietnam has achieved some success in the transition from scientific research to technology development. Some large enterprises have pioneered in applying research results into practice, such as Vingroup, FPT, and BKAV.
These successes not only help to enhance Vietnam’s position in the international market but also create motivation for other enterprises to pursue innovation.
To promote this shift, many opinions say that it is necessary to build a clear and transparent legal framework for commercialising research results, protecting the rights of researchers and creating opportunities for enterprises to access new technologies without worrying about legal risks as at present.
In addition, there should be financial support policies and tax incentives for enterprises’ research and development activities to promote enterprises’ investment in technology development.
Currently, enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, still face many difficulties in accessing capital sources for research and development. Many businesses have suggested that resources should be focused on technology research projects that play a fundamental and comprehensive role.
One of the most important factors to promote the process of technology development is close cooperation between research institutes, universities and businesses to effectively bring research results from the laboratory to the market. Therefore, there should be policies to encourage cooperation, such as joint research funding, and tax reduction for businesses participating in joint research projects.
On the part of scientists, it is necessary to see the social issues that are needed to implement technology development research topics. The novelty in research needs to refer to the factor of the ability to apply in practice, for example, the ability to bring new products and services to the market or new production processes into production.
Key laboratories need to be opened for businesses to share to take advantage of resources, promote business participation in research and accelerate the emergence of breakthrough technologies for national development.
The budget for research and development activities must be implemented resolutely according to the fund mechanism, through science and technology development funds, in order to have timely research activities and promptly develop technologies to serve socio-economic development.
Enterprises need to strengthen public-private partnerships to support the implementation of programs, projects and research orders for research institutes and universities. Large enterprises need to pioneer in research, application of science and technology and innovation to become leading enterprises.
To promote the development of breakthrough technology, technology enterprises will need to cooperate with leading technology companies in the world, so there needs to be regulations guiding this cooperation to guide enterprises towards long-term benefits.
