Highly expectation Vietnam – Korea Institute of Science and Technology in 2020

VKIST has gradually become clear

With the vision: "A leader in providing technology solutions to market winners in Vietnam", VKIST is expected to undertake tasks to cater to industrial technology industries.Operating under the model of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), VKIST is expected to become a provider of technology and solutions for businesses to dominate the market in Vietnam.

This is Korea's largest non-refundable aid project for Vietnam to promote science and technology cooperation between two countries. In particular, the project also received the attention of the leaders of the two governmentswhich noted the presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the groundbreaking of VKIST construction in March 2018. This was also emphasized by Minister of MOST Chu Ngoc Anh at the 4^thsession of VKIST Council on February 14, 2020. “In accompanying the Prime Minister to attend the ASEAN-Korea Summit in November 2019, at the sideline seminar, I also had the opportunity to share information about VKIST as a typical example in cooperation between Korea and Vietnam”, Minister of MOST Chu Ngoc Anh said.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, Chairman of VKIST Council spoke at the meeting.
 

Recognizing the importance and significance of the VKIST project, the leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology were paying attention to the direction and administration so that the project was implemented on schedule and required requirements.This determination has brought encouraging results in 2019. Dr. Kum Dongwha –President of VKITS said that many activities were focused on implementing by VKIST, including preferential policies for scientists and researchers working at VKIST. R&D activities are also carried out synchronously.

On September 27, 2019, VKIST organized the opening of the "VKIST on site Laboratory" at KIST in Gangneung, Korea. This is an important activity to create the necessary infrastructure to serve the activities in the core directions determined by VKIST from the early days as well as for the Institute's training activities.

VKIST has also recruited excellent researchers to be the leaders of research groups based on the Institute's core directions. The Institute's building is also being implemented as planned, expected to open in November 2020 in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park with the witness of leaders of the two countries. Vietnam and South Korea are also discussing to soon unify the plan for earlyimplementation for 2^nd phase of the VKIST project.

President of Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST), Dr. Kum Dongwha speech.
 

 Innovation and breakthrough

Especially, in 2019, it is acknowledged in terms of attracting personnel for VKIST by organizing, recruiting and attracting outstanding scientists and researchers from abroad to become the team leader. In addition, the research directions are the basic research activities, following the trends of advanced countries and associated with industrial production, enabling the Institute to continue recruiting researchers in this year.

These include the bright faces who have joined VKIST such as Assoc.Prof. Dr. Phuong Thien Thuong, Head of Biotechnology Department, used to work at Chosun University, Korea, Setsunan University, Japan and Herbal Medicine Institute  (Ministry of Health), has 15 years of experience in product research and development (drugs, functional foods, cosmetics); Dr Nguyen Duy Tai, Head of IoT Research Group, is Software Architect at Trasys International - NRB Group in Belgium, used to be the Consulting Team Leader at the European Commission EC - General Department of Informatics DIGIT; Mr. Pham Duy Hoc, Head of automation research team, had 10 years working at Toyodenkiseizo - the leading electric train design and research company in Japan ...

Currently, a number of studies have been carried out such as: Developing production from traditional Vietnamese remedies used to treat gout, arthritis and pain; Screening the biological effects and determining the active ingredients of some Polyscias Vietnamese (cooperation between VKIST and KIST); Develop the process of extracting and refining natural curcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) to produce high yield and distinguish natural and synthetic curcuminoids; Surveying and researching on Vietnamese coconut oil.

VKIST operates under the new model and method, also an opportunity to test science and technology management policies from successful countries to apply flexibly to Vietnam. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy emphasized: VKIST's success does not just stop at the Institute, but also the success of the general science and technology management model for Vietnam.

Regarding to the issue for investment and efficient use of facilities used for research. It is proposed to share or hire laboratories of other research units, create a network of laboratories to take advantage of this facility. Or as mentioned the problem has long been the concern of many scientists that is the issue of wages.

In 2019, the Ministry of Science and Technology has set up a working group to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance on this issue. VKIST's point of view is that it will make every effort to pay scientists an income comparable to that of businesses and the world common ground but must respect Vietnamese law.

Besides, in addition to maximizing the incentive mechanism for VKIST as prescribed, the key is that the Institute needs to have revenue and internal spending regulations. This is the main source of income growth to ensure the life of scientists. Therefore, Dr. Kum Dongwha –President of VKIST emphasized: Salary only determines a part of VKIST's success. In addition efforts to solve salary issues, VKIST will create maximum conditions for scientists to focus on professional work such as supporting procedures, writing reports, speaking.

In order to complete VKIST's 2020 plan, a new model like VKIST, many challenges are facing. With the determination of the leaders of MOST, the support and consensus of ministries and agencies and the Governments of the two countries, it is hoped that 2020 will be a prosperous year acknowledging many scientific imprints and technology for VKIST in particular and Vietnam Science and Technology industry in general.

Members at the 4^thVKIST Council Meeting

VKIST Council members, representatives of a number of ministries and branches.