President calls for more support from foreign scientists

He stressed his hope during a reception on July 9 for a group of Nobel laureates and foreign scientists attending the “Fundamental Science and Society” workshop held as part of the events during the 12th Rencontres du Vietnam (Meeting Vietnam).

The president informed his guests about the country’s significant achievements after 30 years of reform (doi moi) with robust economic growth, socio-culture improvements and stabilised politics.

Science and technology have been billed as important drivers for socio-economic development, he underscored, adding that fundamental science has made great contributions to the country’s achievements.

Vietnam is leading ASEAN in basic science with its mathematics and physics centres receiving UNESCO’s recognition and sponsorship, President Quang said, highlighting that the Vietnamese Olympic math team has been among the world's top ten since 1974.

At the reception, he hailed great contributions made by Professor Tran Thanh Van and his spouse Le Kim Ngoc to organise the Meeting Vietnam event, which aims to connect international and local scientists.

He believed that international science conferences and events organised within the Meeting Vietnam would create venues for Vietnamese scientists to exchange and learn experience from their international counterparts while acquiring latest knowledge in the field serving the country’s intensive international integration.

For their parts, Professor Tran Thanh Van and other foreign scientists recommended measures to promote science and technology development as a top-ranking national policy.

The “Fundamental Science and Society” workshop was held in the central coastal province of Binh Dinh to discuss the role of fundamental science and how to boost its development in emerging economies.