Vietnam: Tech & Science as Growth Engine
Vietnam Eyes Science, Tech Innovation for Growth
Table of Contents
- Vietnam Eyes Science, Tech Innovation for Growth
- Vietnam’s Push for Science, Tech, and Innovation: A Q&A
- What’s driving Vietnam’s focus on science, technology, and innovation?
- What advantages does Vietnam have in fostering innovation?
- How can Vietnam learn from the experiences of other countries?
- Were are the key areas for enhancement in education?
- Why is Interdisciplinary Collaboration Vital?
- What essential skills do employers value?
- How can Vietnam foster local innovation hubs?
- What’s Dr. Best’s view on collaboration between state, scientists, and entrepreneurs?
- How could this state-scientist-entrepreneur model work in practice?
- How does the Vietnamese diaspora fit into this strategy?
HANOI, Vietnam (VNA) — Vietnam possesses the necessary elements to leverage science, technology, and innovation as key drivers for national growth, according to Dr. Simon Best, a lecturer in management and innovation at Middlesex University.
Vietnam’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Dr. Best noted Vietnam’s inherent dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit, suggesting the nation is well-positioned to foster innovation with less reliance on external assistance. He made these remarks considering Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which signals Vietnam’s commitment to scientific and technological advancement, innovation, and digital transformation amid the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Lessons from the UK
Drawing on the United Kingdom’s experience in developing its science and technology workforce,Dr. Best suggested Vietnam could learn from the challenges faced by British universities. he emphasized the significant shift in how universities compete with other data sources, especially since the advent of the internet.
“Universities are no longer the sole creators,holders,and disseminators of information,” Dr. Best saeid. “The internet has disrupted this traditional role, and higher education institutions must adapt, both in the UK and in Vietnam.”
Addressing the AI Skills Gap
Dr. Best pointed to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an example, noting that despite its prevalence, many British universities lack complete teaching programs or modules in areas such as STEM, behavioral aspects of AI, machine learning, and automation.
He argued that universities must go beyond teaching purely technical skills.STEM programs should ensure students understand how to apply their knowledge, supplemented by training in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Importance of interdisciplinary Collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for developing a workforce capable of integrating industry, business, and organizations, according to dr. Best. He stressed that cooperation across different faculties and areas of expertise is essential.
He added that STEM fields are foundational for development but insufficient on their own. The industrial revolution was driven by practitioners – engineers and entrepreneurs – rather than solely by researchers and academics. Bridging the gap between industry and academia through interdisciplinary programs, from pre-university levels onward, is vital.
Cultivating Essential Skills
Surveys consistently show that employers value the ability to solve complex problems collaboratively, Dr. Best noted. STEM students,therefore,need to develop relational,critical thinking,and collaborative skills to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Fostering Local Innovation Hubs
To promote science, technology, and innovation, Dr. Best advocated for creating small, local hubs that bring together companies of all sizes to explore and share IT resources and innovations. He also called for accelerating the dissemination of technologies like AI,machine learning,and automation from large companies to smaller ones,supported by incentives to encourage adoption.
Mapping the local ecosystem of companies to identify potential synergies between sectors is also essential, he said.
A Model for State-Scientist-Entrepreneur Collaboration
dr. Best suggested Vietnam consider a model similar to the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange program to foster collaboration between the state, scientists, and entrepreneurs. This would involve partnerships between companies (both large and small), universities, and educational institutions to enhance the education system.
Under such a mechanism, the government could solicit companies to identify their human resource development challenges, particularly among STEM students, and explore collaborative solutions. Companies would then submit their ideas to the government, which would publish them and invite universities and other companies to participate, providing funding to cover operating costs.
Engaging the Vietnamese Diaspora
Dr. Best emphasized the value of Vietnamese intellectuals living abroad, describing them as a precious resource. he recommended that Vietnam strengthen its ties with this community by encouraging them to return and engage more with their country of origin.
Vietnam’s Push for Science, Tech, and Innovation: A Q&A
Here’s a look at Vietnam’s strategy to leverage science, technology, and innovation (STI) for economic growth, based on insights from Dr. Simon Best.
What’s driving Vietnam’s focus on science, technology, and innovation?
According to Dr. Simon Best, a lecturer in management and innovation at Middlesex University, Vietnam possesses the necessary elements to use STI as primary drivers for national growth.This aligns with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Vietnam’s commitment to digital transformation.
What advantages does Vietnam have in fostering innovation?
Dr. Best highlighted Vietnam’s inherent dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit. This suggests the nation is well-positioned to encourage innovation with less external assistance.
How can Vietnam learn from the experiences of other countries?
Dr. Best suggests that Vietnam can learn from the United Kingdom’s experience in developing its science and technology workforce. He emphasized the challenges faced by British universities. For exmaple,
Were are the key areas for enhancement in education?
Dr. Best points to the need to address the AI skills gap. Manny British universities lack complete AI teaching programs, which is a critical need today. Universities must go beyond purely technical skills, ensuring that STEM programs teach students how to apply their knowledge. Entrepreneurship and innovation training are also essential.
Why is Interdisciplinary Collaboration Vital?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for developing a workforce that can integrate industry, business, and organizations. Cooperation across different faculties and areas of expertise is important.
What essential skills do employers value?
Dr. Best notes that employers highly value the ability to solve complex problems collaboratively. Thus, STEM students need to develop relational, critical thinking, and collaborative skills to work with diverse backgrounds.
How can Vietnam foster local innovation hubs?
Dr. Best advocates for creating small, local hubs that bring together companies of all sizes. These hubs can explore and share IT resources and innovations. Accelerating the dissemination of technologies like AI, machine learning, and automation from large companies to smaller ones is also critically important, supported by incentives to encourage adoption.
What’s Dr. Best’s view on collaboration between state, scientists, and entrepreneurs?
Dr. Best suggests Vietnam consider a model similar to the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange program. This would foster collaboration between the state, scientists, and entrepreneurs. It would involve partnerships between companies, universities, and educational institutions to enhance the education system.
How could this state-scientist-entrepreneur model work in practice?
Under this mechanism:
The government would solicit companies to identify their human resource growth challenges, especially among STEM students.
Companies would submit their ideas to the government.
* The government would publish these and invite universities and other companies to participate, providing funding for operating costs.
How does the Vietnamese diaspora fit into this strategy?
Dr. Best emphasizes the value of Vietnamese intellectuals living abroad, describing them as a precious resource. He recommends that Vietnam strengthens its ties with this community by encouraging them to return and engage more with their contry of origin.
| Key Strategy Areas | Description |
| ——————————— | —————————————————————————– |
| Promoting Innovation in Vietnam | |
| Entrepreneurial spirit | Leveraging Vietnam’s inherent dynamism. |
| Addressing Skills Gaps | Focusing on AI and interdisciplinary STEM education. |
| Interdisciplinary Collaboration | Encouraging cooperation across faculties and areas of expertise. |
| Fostering Local Innovation Hubs | Creating hubs for sharing IT resources and accelerating technology adoption. |
| Engaging the Diaspora | Tapping into the expertise of Vietnamese intellectuals living abroad.|