Addressing a meeting in Hanoi on January 10 to mark the MoST’s 50th anniversary, Mr Hung noted that the scientific and technological sector has played an important role in national socio-economic development, helping to increase product volume and quality, production efficiency, and competitive capacity while also supporting other industries.
He affirmed that, together with education and training, the Party and State consider science and technology a top national priority, a driving force behind national development, and a prerequisite for Vietnam to defend national independence and successfully build socialism in the country.
He affirmed that science and technology serves as a lever for accelerating national industrialisation and modernisation.
The government is prepared to iron out snags in sci-tech development, particularly in marketing products, said Mr Hung.
To meet the target of turning Vietnam into an industrialised nation by 2020, Mr Hung said the MoST should finalise policies and mechanisms for sci-tech development, and draw up key investment programmes to develop practical products to meet society’s demands.
Other tasks are to establish sci-tech businesses, expand international cooperation, especially in practically applying global sci-tech advances, and honour outstanding scientists, said Mr Hung.
A report delivered by a MoST representative showed that over the past 10 years Vietnam has formulated eight bills on science and technology to support research and application. As a result, sci-tech research projects have made a significant contribution to increasing the volume and quality of products and services, the export value and growth of key sectors such as industry, agriculture, fisheries, telecommunications, construction, transport and health care.
At the ceremony Deputy PM Hung pinned the Gold Star Order – a high State distinction – on the MoST’s flag, recognising its excellent achievements and contributions to national development.
The MoST has received many other noble distinctions, including the Ho Chi Minh Order (in 2004), the Independence Order (in 1999), and the Government’s Certificate of Merits.