New functions and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology

Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and Technology is a Government agency, performing the function of state management of science, technology and innovation, including: Scientific research activities, technology development, innovation; development of science and technology potential; intellectual property; quality measurement standards; atomic energy, radiation and nuclear safety; state management of public services in the fields under the Ministry's management according to the provisions of law.

Duties and powers

The Ministry of Science and Technology performs the tasks and powers prescribed in Decree No. 123/2016/ND-CP dated September 1, 2016 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies, Decree No. 101/2020/ND-CP dated August 28, 2020 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 123/2016/MD-CP and specific tasks and powers.

Regarding science, technology and innovation activities, the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for directing the implementation of the directions, goals and tasks of science, technology and innovation for 5 years and annually, promoting the development of key economic and technical sectors and fields on the basis of applying, innovating and mastering technology, developing new technology, high technology and commercializing technology, results of scientific research and technology development.

Guide ministries, branches and localities to develop and implement 5-year and annual science, technology and innovation plans and professional and technical management of science, technology and innovation activities.

Organize the certification of high-tech activities; prescribe conditions for high-tech incubators and high-tech business incubators; prescribe the authority, conditions and procedures for certifying high-tech human resource training facilities; build a database and information infrastructure on high technology and high-tech technical infrastructure within the authority of the ministry; develop and submit to the Government for promulgation regulations on high-tech zones, orientations for high-tech industries prioritized for investment and development in each period, a list of technologies prioritized for research, development and application to proactively participate in the fourth industrial revolution and mechanisms and policies for high-tech development and high-tech zones.

Instruct and register activities for science and technology organizations, science and technology development funds, technology innovation funds, high-tech venture capital funds; certify activities for organizations and individuals operating in high technology, high-tech enterprises according to the provisions of law.

Support organizations and individuals in technology assessment, technology innovation, technology search, technology import, patent exploitation, technology decoding and mastery; guide and evaluate technology level and capacity and build technology development orientation, national technology innovation roadmap according to law provisions...

Regarding intellectual property, the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for presiding over and coordinating with ministries, branches and localities to develop, guide and organize the implementation of mechanisms, policies, strategies, planning, plans, programs and projects on intellectual property.

Develop, guide, organize and inspect the implementation of legal regulations on intellectual property; prescribe procedures for registration, establishment and transfer of technology ownership rights of organizations and individuals.

Organizational structure

The Ministry of Science and Technology has 18 units which are administrative organizations assisting the Minister in performing state management functions, including: 1- Department of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences; 2- Department of Science and Technology of Economic and Technical Sectors; 3- Department of Technology Assessment, Appraisal and Inspection; 4- Department of High Technology; 5- Department of Atomic Energy; 6- Department of Technology Application and Technical Advancement; 7- Department of Planning and Finance; 8- Department of Legislation; 9- Department of Organization and Personnel; 10- Department of International Cooperation; 11- Ministry Office; 12- Ministry Inspectorate; 13- Department of Technology Development and Innovation; 14- National Science and Technology Information Agency; 15- Department of Science and Technology Enterprise and Market Development; 16- Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety; 17- Department of Intellectual Property; 18- National Committee for Standards, Metrology and Quality.

In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology also has 4 public service units serving the Ministry's state management functions, including: 1- Academy of Science, Technology and Innovation; 2- VnExpress Newspaper; 3- Vietnam Science and Technology Magazine; 4- Information Technology Center.

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