In the network of scientific centers, UNESCO divides them into 2 types, Type 1 and Type 2. Those of Type 1 has mission to receive scientists from developing countries to come to study and do scientific research. Currently there have been 02 Centers of Type 1 under UNESCO, located in Italia and the Netherlands.
Centers of Type 2 have visions and missions on research and training on majors for regions and the world, appropriate with UNESCO’s policies and strategies. Currently UNESCO has recognized and sponsored 98 Scientific Centers of Type 2, among which 49 Centers are under Natural Science field. In ASEAN region, UNESCO has recognized and sponsored 02 Scientific Centers of Malaysia and 01 Scientific Center of Indonesia.
Following guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam, over the past time, Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) chaired and coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology to study, review S&T potentials, agree to select Viet Nam’s two strengths which are Mathematics and Physics, on the basis of Mathematics Institute and Physics Institute under Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology to propose the establishment of 02 Centers of Type 2 which would be recognized and sponsored by UNESCO. These are 02 basic research institutes of high level and prestige in the region and the world. They have announced many scientific works in prestigiousmagazines; chaired Mathematics and Physics Magazines of international level, have been accepted by Springer Publishing House in Europe to include in the SCOPUS’s database; have had close relationships with Scientific Centers under UNESCO as International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and Center for Mathematics (CIMPA);…
Deputy Minister Phạm Công Tạc, Head of Sub-Committee for Natural Sciences delivered a speech in the Opening session of UNESCO’s 38th General Conference (Photo: Department of Natural and Social Sciences)Viet Nam’s proposal documents on establishing 02 Science Centers of Type 2 for UNESCO’s recognition and sponsor have been accepted by the Committee for Natural Sciences under UNESCO and highly appreciated by UNESCO’s Executive Board and agreed to submit to UNESCO’s General Conference.
The 38th session of UNESCO’s General Conference took place from November 03 to – 18, 2015 in Paris, Republic of France with the participation of representatives from 195 member states, associate members, observers, international organizations and non-governmental organizations would official the Resolution on recognizing Viet Nam’s 02 International Centers for Mathematics and Physics of Type 2 on November 18. This is the recognition of the international community for Viet Nam’s intellectual in addition to the recognition of natural and cultural heritage, at the same time, the affirmation of our high accountability to contribute to the basic scientific foundation of the region and the world.
UNESCO’s 38th session of the General Conference (Photo: Bích Hà/TTXVN)In the current context of international integration, the establishment of International Centers for Mathematics and Physics to be recognized and sponsored by UNESCO would help improve Viet Nam’s position, bring Viet Nam’s S&T to integrate thoroughly with that of the region and the world. This also help contribute to the successful implementation of the S&T Development Strategy for 2011-2020 period, establishbasic research organizations of the regional and world level, at the same time achieve the objective of developing Viet Nam Academy for Science and Technology to become one of ASEAN’s leading scientific organizations./.