Many discussions and consultations with experts and scientists have been organised to improve the effectiveness of the activities and enhance the contribution of science and technology to socio-economic development.
In recent years, to help overcome difficulties and limitations, the science and technology sector in the southern region has consistently strengthened cooperation and connectivity with centres, research institutes, and universities to enhance scientific and technological potential, especially high-quality human resources. This collaboration includes sharing experiences between localities and fostering a strong connection to better utilise available resources and conditions, thus supporting the development of high-tech agriculture in the region.
During this collaboration, experts and scientists have supported enterprises in technology transfer, innovation, development, and creativity. Some foreign technologies and solutions have also been introduced to meet the technological needs of organisations, individuals, and businesses in the southern region, such as sterilisation for ready-to-eat food, Proton quick-freezing technology that preserves food freshness, and smart powder grinding technologies.
Through this process, science and technology departments, experts, and businesses have shared the advantages, difficulties, and challenges they face and exchanged experiences in implementing policies, establishing cooperation models, and supporting enterprises in searching for, connecting, training, enhancing human resources, as well as in research collaboration, technology innovation, and creativity.
According to experts in technology, the southern region holds an important position, but the application and transfer of technology have not met expectations. The research to create new technologies and knowledge is necessary to enhance scientific and technological potential. Businesses need immediately applicable technologies to meet the demands of production. Therefore, immediate solutions are required. One of these solutions is the transfer of technology from abroad into Vietnam.
Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Office in charge of the southern region, Nguyen Manh Cuong, stated that the Ministry has been developing many programmes to promote the application, transfer, innovation, and technological advancement.
To keep up with the increasing demands of businesses, the Ministry also offers programmes to assist enterprises in implementing the application and transfer of advanced technologies from abroad into Vietnam. The Ministry’s representative offices are always ready to listen to the needs of businesses and support them in finding suitable technologies.
Sharing on this issue, Nguyen Khanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Technological Development Department under the Department of Technology Development and Innovation (Ministry of Science and Technology), said that the promotion of technology transfer from abroad into Vietnam is regulated under Decision No. 1851/QD-TTg, which was amended by Decision No. 138/QD-TTg, approved by the Prime Minister at the beginning of 2022.
The Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant ministries and agencies have been tasked with developing programmes to support businesses in applying foreign technologies in Vietnam, assisting organisations and enterprises in technology transfer, mastering, and developing technology, as well as enhancing businesses' capacity and human resources. The programme also identifies several priority areas for technology transfer, such as high-tech agriculture, agricultural product processing, and electronics manufacturing.
Notably, in recent times, the Department of Technology Development and Innovation has developed 14 technology maps to help businesses orient their development. These technology maps cover areas such as seed selection and rice production, gene technology, stem cell technology, vaccine production for humans, materials and electronic component production technologies, semiconductor technologies, technical plastic production, and 3D printing technologies. These maps provide businesses with a foundation for developing suitable technologies.
Pham The Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Technology Development and Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, stated that although some notable results have been achieved, there is still a gap between policy and implementation in the application, transfer, innovation, and technological advancement activities at the local and enterprise levels.
To enhance the effectiveness of technology application, transfer, and innovation activities in the southern region and across the country, the Department of Technology Development and Innovation will proactively coordinate with the provincial departments of science and technology to implement several specific tasks. These tasks include supporting localities in strengthening connections and cooperation in research, technology transfer, and innovation with other countries and regions; coordinating and guiding the assessment of production technology levels and capacities, identifying technology needs in key areas of localities; and providing training and workshops to enhance enterprises' technology absorption capacity.
The Department of Technology Development and Innovation, in collaboration with the provincial departments of science and technology, will support the application and transfer of technology, improving productivity and quality for key products in southern provinces and cities. The department will also guide and support localities in collecting and evaluating the innovation index at the local level, providing scientific and practical foundations for decision-making by leaders at all levels. This will help in policy development and implementation, thus contributing to the promotion of socio-economic development in the southern region and the entire country.
