The Politburo issued a Resolution on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation (Resolution 57), which scientists expect to create a new wind to promote creativity in the community. study.
Resolution 57 on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation focuses on dismantling many policy mechanisms for the science and technology industry with an innovative perspective, ensuring effective management. efficiency and encourage innovation, eliminating the mindset of “if you can’t manage it, ban it”.
Accordingly, the Politburo allows piloting new problems from practice, accepting risks, risky investments and time lags in scientific research. Research agencies are encouraged to develop mechanisms that allow organizations and scientists to establish and operate businesses based on research results. The budget for science and technology research will be implemented according to the fund mechanism, through science and technology development funds. Businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, will be encouraged and supported through preferential policies to invest in digital transformation, research, scientific application and technological innovation, improving operational efficiency and competitiveness…
Scientific research at the Center for Research and Implementation, Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park, December 2024. Image: Quynh Tran
Dr. Huynh Thien Tai, a chemical scientist, said that the risk-taking orientation in research mentioned by Resolution 57 is a step consistent with the nature of science. In case the research is unsuccessful, the scientist can stop without having to pay compensation. More importantly, they need to publish unsuccessful results so that the scientific community avoids repeating mistakes and considers them as lessons learned. With this mechanism, Dr. Tai believes that it will solve the problem in current research that scientists must do everything possible to get the project accepted according to the original registered product.
Regarding financial mechanisms, experts in the field of chemistry believe that the fund mechanism will help “untie” scientists. Because of the current reality, budget-funded research projects must go through a very complicated annual evaluation and acceptance process for each topic. Financial and accounting procedures also take up a lot of scientists’ time.
Having participated in projects under state and private funding mechanisms, Dr. Tai said that the funding disbursement mechanism is carried out according to the work progress achieved by scientists. The Scientific Council evaluates the results of each phase of the project to decide whether to continue funding or stop. The fund management agency only cares about the final results, allowing scientists to be proactive in using funds appropriately for research purposes. This helps scientists have time to focus on professional work to produce quality research products.
In addition to investing in strong research groups and leading experts, Dr. Tai emphasized the importance of supporting young scientists. He said that talented young scientists need to be given favorable conditions and financial support to develop their abilities and strengths. There needs to be many sources of research funding to make it easy for young scientists to access. “Of course, when young scientists receive research grants, they must also go through strict appraisal and evaluation steps,” Dr. Tai said. He assessed that implementing a flexible funding mechanism and accepting risks in scientific research not only encourages the spirit of creativity but can also help the country quickly catch up with global science and technology trends.
Engineer Le Trung Hieu, Director of Ewater Technology Company (a science and technology enterprise in Ho Chi Minh City), said that research to create technology is characterized by high risk, but if successful, profits can be achieved. very big. He acknowledged that small and medium-sized science and technology enterprises in Vietnam have the common characteristic of limited financial and human capital. Therefore, when researching the possibility of great success, they dare to deploy it, to reduce risks.
From a policy perspective, Mr. Hieu proposed that mechanisms for science and technology enterprises need to have their own specific characteristics. Specifically, domestic enterprises operating in industrial parks reserved for technology companies will enjoy incentives in terms of space, electricity, water, and income tax in the initial period. Domestic research products need to be protected by the state and prioritized for application to develop markets for early-stage businesses in the context of competition with imported goods.
Company engineer Mr. Le Trung Hieu installed water treatment equipment using magnetic technology that he researched and commercialized. Image: NVCC
According to Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy, Resolution No. 57 creates new breakthroughs, in the form of a revolution to change awareness, content, and working methods.
Mr. Duy acknowledged that there are still resources that have not really been released, and there are bottlenecks, both in terms of awareness and institutions. “Resolution No. 57 is like a spearhead, focusing on removing bottlenecks to liberate the creativity, labor and investment resources of the entire society for science and technology innovation and transformation. number,” Deputy Minister Duy said. In particular, the viewpoint that determines investment in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation is a long-term investment, not a short-term investment, which means there must be delays and risks. Accepting risk and delay is a change in perception and perspective.
Deputy Minister Duy sees the birth of Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo as a very happy signal for not only the science and technology community and the digital transformation community but also for people and businesses in the community. context in which the whole country is making efforts and striving to achieve the set results by 2030 and 2045.
Vietnam has many advantages when implementing Resolution 57 on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. According to Mr. Duy, the first advantage is quality human resources with a background in digital technology research. Next, Vietnam has a large market scale and is considered a “midwife” for the country’s science and technology products and digital transformation. With Vietnam participating in free trade agreements, raising the level of strategic partnerships with many countries is a great advantage in international cooperation.
According to Deputy Minister Duy, the General Secretary’s role as Head of the Central Steering Committee for Science and Technology Development is an advantage that helps thoroughly grasp the entire political system when implementing the Resolution.
However, Mr. Duy acknowledged that implementing the Resolution also faces time challenges in the context of rapidly developing science and technology. Therefore, the management team with the task of concretizing the Resolution into institutions and policies needs to change the way and speed of work so that the mechanisms are widely deployed throughout society, meeting the needs of the whole society. set goals.