Former Minister Chu Tuan Nha – ‘big brother’ of science and technology

Professor Chu Tuan Nha, former Minister of Science and Technology, passed away on the morning of December 1 at his home, at the age of 87. With more than four decades of work in the field of higher education and science and technology, he is remembered by many generations of colleagues for his contributions to helping make science and technology a leading national policy.

Born in 1939 in Co Nhue (Hanoi), he started his career with a job at Hanoi Polytechnic University, then went to Poland as a graduate student. Returning to his country, he continued to teach at the University of Mining and Geology, where he held the position of Party Secretary and Vice Principal, before moving to state management in 1983. From here, his career path was closely linked with the development of science and technology.

To those he has worked with, he is a careful leader who promotes discipline but always knows how to listen. Remembering his brother and colleague of more than 30 years, Mr. Bui Manh Hai, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, shared “Professor Nha is a serious teacher, scientist, and manager, always working with a high sense of responsibility and creativity”.

According to him, in management work, Minister Nha is always cautious, listens and supports good ideas, and in fact, that approach is effective, contributing to the success of the Ministry’s science and technology management.

“In the memories of my colleagues, Professor Nha is not only a leader but also a big brother,” Mr. Hai said, telling about trips with Minister Nha to the West, Central Highlands, and mountainous provinces to guide facilities and check the effectiveness of local science and technology activities. During each of those trips, “he was very straightforward, worked hard, and promoted innovation and development.”

Professor Chu Tuan Nha’s greatest impression was evident in the period 1993-2002 when he held the position of Deputy Minister, then Minister of Science, Technology and Environment (from August 2002, became the Ministry of Science and Technology).

Mr. Hai said that at that time, Resolution VIII of the 2nd Central Committee was formed, identifying science and technology and education and training as the top national policies to develop the country. This is also a resolution affirming the role and position of the science and technology industry. “Professor Nha is a strong promoter of turning the spirit and ideology of the resolution into law, creating a legal basis for investment and development of science and technology,” Mr. Hai said.

Under the professor’s direction, the Law on Science and Technology was developed, paving the way for subsequent laws such as Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer or High Technology. He also promoted the formation of key state-level science and technology programs in agriculture, industry, health, and the environment, emphasizing the need to “apply research results to production, instead of just academic research”.

During his management period, the investment rate for science and technology reached 2% of the state budget – a step forward that, according to former Deputy Minister Bui Manh Hai, “we could not achieve before”. Professor Nha is also interested in developing investment funds for science and technology, so that scientists can be more proactive in resources, avoiding dependence on annual plans.

Meanwhile, sharing about his predecessor, former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said that although Professor Nha was only Minister for a 5-year term, he left many important marks, especially with the introduction of the Law on Science and Technology in 2000.

This first law in Vietnam on science and technology creates a premise for the Ministry to develop many new policies. Later, when serving as Chairman of the National Science and Technology Policy Council, the professor continued to contribute to the creation of many important documents, such as Decree 115/2005 on the autonomy and self-responsibility mechanism of public science and technology organizations, Decree 80/2007 on the establishment of science and technology enterprises, and Decree 23/2014 on the national science and technology development fund.

Recognizing Professor Chu Tuan Nha’s lifelong contributions to the development of Vietnam’s science and technology industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology said it will hold a funeral according to the High-Level Funeral protocol. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung is Head of the funeral organizing committee.

The visitation ceremony for Prof. Dr. Chu Tuan Nha was held at 7:05 a.m. on December 7. Memorial and funeral ceremony from 9:00 a.m., December 7, at the National Funeral House, 5 Tran Thanh Tong, Hanoi. The burial ceremony was held on the same day at Thien Duc Memorial Gate, Phu Tho province.