|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has been tasked with enhancing and refining institutions and legal policies, paving the way for the advancement of science and technology. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, the Ministry needs to formulate specific policies addressing critical challenges in the field and supporting self-reliance. This includes policies related to the valuation of assets generated from the implementation of scientific and technological research outcomes, measures to support scientists, and the establishment of efficient financial mechanisms.
The government, through the Ministry, must support scientists by allocating adequate capital for scientific research initiatives. It is also crucial to bolster collaborative efforts among relevant ministries and agencies and strengthen international connections to gain insights from leading experts and organisations.
Quang was speaking at a conference that assessed MOST’s performance in 2023 and set objectives for 2024. He commended the Ministry’s performance this year, acknowledging that despite shared challenges in the region and globally, Vietnam has resiliently surmounted difficulties and attained commendable results. He attributed these achievements to the substantial contributions made by the science and technology industry, scientists, and professionals working within the sector.
In the field of high technology, MOST collaborated with various ministries and agencies to address crucial issues associated with accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. As a result of these efforts, the proportion of the export value of high-tech products has surged, constituting nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods.
MOST also effectively carried out several scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, and virtual reality technology.
As per a report presented during the conference, Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has demonstrated consistent improvement over the past 13 years, highlighting the country’s effectiveness in translating input resources into tangible and innovative results.
In the GII 2023 rankings, Vietnam has secured the 46th position among 132 economies, marking a two-position improvement from the previous year. Notably, the country stands second among 36 economies in the lower-middle-income group. Furthermore, Vietnam is recognised as one of the seven middle-income countries that have made substantial progress in innovation over the past decade.
MOST has taken a significant step by introducing the Provincial Innovation Index (PII), which was officially implemented nationwide this year. It is a tool to assess the innovation capacity and achievements of each locality throughout the country. Its deployment is expected to enhance the national innovation index by providing valuable insights into the innovation landscape at the provincial level.
The national creative startup ecosystem in Vietnam has experienced significant growth in both scale and operational diversity. It is recognised as one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia, achieving a global ranking of 58th. The capital city of Hanoi has made its debut among the top 200 global creative startup cities, highlighting the country’s emergence as a hub for research and innovation.
Vietnamese startups and innovation have sustained robust development, outpacing many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the first six months of 2023 alone, there have been 56 projects and a total investment capital of about US$ 500 million.
