The Center for Vietnam Science and Technology Internationalization Promotion received and worked with the delegation of China Science and Technology Exchange Center

Welcoming and working with the CSTEC delegation, there were the Leadership Board and all key staffs of VISTIP. After listening to VISTIP's representative introducing the Center for Science and Technologically Internationalization Promotion, on behalf of CSTEC, Mr. Zhao Xinli presented information about the China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC). CSTEC is a Center under the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, established in 1982, with a position, function, and task quite similar to the Center for Vietnam Science and Technology Internationalization Promotion (VISTIP). In addition to helping the Minister of Science and Technology of China to promote research and development activities of China 's science and technology integration throughout China, CSTEC has been assigned many other important responsibilities, such as managing science and technology programs/ projects involving foreign elements related to research, implementation and training activities…; managing science and technology representative offices in foreign countries; experts exchange program; the program to attract global scientific talents or guide the implementation of the Science Popularization Law... The current workforce of CSTEC is more than 100 people, of which 20 are representatives of abroad scientific and technological offices. As a non-profit public service organization, since its inception (more than 37 years until now), all operating expenses of CSTEC have been granted by the state budget with the equivalent of more than one billion USD for every year and no other source of revenue. Recently, a number of suggestions have been made that CSTEC should raise revenues to increase staff incomes through revenue-generating services. However, these comments are not supported due to that profits can make CSTEC “deviate” from the orientation of managing science and technology as well as developing the country's integration activities... Unlike the Central/ National CSTEC, local CSTECs (established by local governments) are only granted about 30% of the operating budget and the 70% rest amount came from the revenue of service activities. The importance of investing in and promoting international integration in Chinese science and technology through the role of CSTEC has been clearly demonstrated through the achievements of science and technology, the China's incredible speed for more than 30 years.

VISTIP & CSTEC representatives discussed the cooperation opportunities - Photo:VISTIP
 

Due to the similarity of functions, duties and legal status between CSTEC and VISTIP, the two sides realized the potential for cooperation between the two organizations is very huge. However, compared with CSTEC, which has been in operation for more than 37 years, VISTIP is still very young due to its new establishment (2011), VISTIP is eager to promote cooperation with CSTEC in the future. Firstly, VISTIP wishes to learn about the organization and operation model of CSTEC through a few projects such as capacity building with supports from CSTEC, or jointly organize some events related to transferring/ commercialization of technologies, as well as enhancing delegations exchange at all levels... The CSTEC representative thanked VISTIP's solemn welcome for the delegation and appreciated the goodwill and suggestions about cooperation opportunities between VISTIP and CSTEC that VISTIP has proposed. The delegation’s leader – Mr. Zhao Xinli said that he would report to CSTEC leaders upon returning home. He also proposed that firstly the two sides can start to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be able to sign on the occasion of The 11th Joint Government Committee Meeting (JCM 11) on science and technology cooperation between Vietnam and China, which will be held in Beijing, China in 2020.

CSTEC delegation took a photo with VISTIP Leaders - Photo: VISTIP
 

It is hoped that the contribution of CSTEC in the "miraculous" development of Chinese science and technology through the path of international integration in science and technology will be a valuable lesson for VISTIP in particular and Vietnam in general in the near future. /.