Mechanism of "ordering" scientists promoted

The national key science and technology programme for the period 2016-2020 has concluded after five years of implementation, with six programmes in the field of science and technology and one programme in the field of humanities and social sciences.

The staff of the DNA Testing Centre prepares the samples for examination.
The staff of the DNA Testing Centre prepares the samples for examination.

As a result, more than 257 science-technology tasks have been implemented; with the participation of more than 9,700 researchers and leading scientists; developing about 469 products, 103 types of equipment and machines, 85 new materials, 31 technological lines, and 136 types of products that are consumable goods.

Notably, many advanced techniques and technologies have been mastered by scientists, such as: the technical process of transplanting a lobe of lung or a lung from a living donor or a brain-dead donor applied at Military Hospital 103; the treatment of twin to twin transfusion syndrome and amniocentesis by laser photocoagulation effectively applied at Hanoi Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology that opened a new treatment direction, helping to save the lives of many fetuses and limit postpartum malformations.

The tasks of the programme in the field of science and technology registered for protection of intellectual property rights increased by 48% compared to the corresponding programmes of the previous period.

The tasks also approach world-class problems and issues of interest such as the research and application of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud computing technologies, and advanced materials.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the results have proved the effectiveness of the investment. Many research results have served the development of industries, localities and businesses, actively contributing to training and developing science and technology human resources for the country.

However, from the practice of participating in the programme, many scientists have pointed out limitations that need to be overcome such as: the "ordering" mechanism from ministries, departments and branches has not been promoted for the tasks of the programme. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen "ordering" to serve the development strategy of key economic sectors and fields.

At the same time, it is necessary to promote the participation and contribution of large enterprises and corporations in proposing and implementing scientific and technological tasks, especially in the stages of defining tasks, transferring, and application of results. In the context of enterprise-centred science and technology development and innovation, the figure of 10% for the proportion of tasks of programmes chaired by an enterprise or a research unit under the enterprise is too small.

Additionally, the activities of the programmes are still spread out in terms of content, there are not many tasks of large scale and wide application scope.

Furthermore, it is necessary to consider supplementing regulations to encourage, promote or bind the association and cooperation of science and technology organisations, businesses in regions and localities in coordinating the implementation of science and technology tasks and programmes.

Thereby, it is necessary to promote cohesion between institutions and spillover in research, development and innovation of science and technology. At the same time, it is necessary to closely associate research with the task of training human resources, considering this as one of the key tasks of the programme.

The issues raised during the implementation process will help guide the development, organisation and management of the programme for the period of 2021-2025, and at the same time serve to develop strategies on science and technology for the coming years. The objective is to implement the policy of taking businesses as the centre, while research institutes and universities are strong research subjects; and to strengthen innovation capacity, connecting research institutes, universities and enterprises.