Innovating the project implementation process so that scientists and businesses do not have to 'beg'

At the 17th session of the National Assembly on May 6, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly - Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quang Phuong and National Assembly deputies from Tuyen Quang, Nam Dinh, Quang Ngai and Ca Mau discussed three important draft laws: Law on Science, Technology and Innovation; Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality and Law on Atomic Energy (amended).

In particular, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation (S&I) project has received much attention, with high consensus on the urgency of promulgating this law.

Delegates said that this is a necessary step to institutionalize Resolution 57/NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo - a breakthrough resolution, aiming to create competitive advantages for the country through science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation.

According to delegate Tran Thi Hong An (Quang Ngai delegation), the draft law needs to be carefully reviewed to ensure compatibility with international treaties such as TRIPS, CPTPP, EVFTA of which Vietnam is a member. At the same time, it is necessary to integrate consistent content with the Law on Defense Industry, Security and Industrial Mobilization. In particular, it is necessary to add a separate article or section on specific mechanisms to promote science, technology and innovation in the defense and security sector, with the requirement to clarify the "dual-use" mechanism - that is, serving both civilian and defense purposes.

Delegate Tran Thi Hong An (Quang Ngai delegation). (Photo: National Assembly Information Portal)

Regarding Article 63 of the draft, delegate Hong An also proposed clarifying the legal status of the National Science and Technology Development Fund and the National Technology Innovation Fund; as well as adding the principles of publicity, transparency, competition and scientific criticism in supporting tasks and projects. In addition, it is necessary to improve administrative procedures, especially in international cooperation, to promptly remove current shortcomings.

Also emphasizing the need to simplify processes, procedures, and reform administrative procedures in science, technology, and innovation, Delegate Dinh Ngoc Minh (Ca Mau delegation) pointed out the current situation of "asking - giving" that makes it difficult for scientists to access resources. He proposed a new approach: allowing scientists and businesses to proactively invest in research, and only if the product meets requirements will the State pay.

“This is also a way to solve the current procedure. If we follow the current procedure, I guarantee that scientists will not be able to ask for money. I suggest that we reform this implementation organization. Instead of scientists having to keep asking for money, they are willing to spend their intelligence and money, and when they have a product, the State will pay,” delegate Dinh Ngoc Minh frankly proposed.

From another perspective, delegate Ma Thi Thuy (Tuyen Quang delegation) highly appreciated the fact that the draft law has given autonomy and risk-taking to research organizations. However, she warned that giving power does not mean loosening responsibility, and it is necessary to design appropriate processes to encourage creativity but avoid loss of state budget.

According to Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, the draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation has 10 important new points, creating a major shift in specialized fields.

Notably, there is a strong innovation in management thinking, from controlling processes and inputs such as invoices and detailed documents, to managing results and output efficiency, accepting risks associated with risk management.

The focus of State management is no longer on the implementation method but on the research results and practical impact on socio-economic development. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for measuring the overall effectiveness of science and technology programs and tasks. At the same time, the results are used as the basis for resource allocation, in which science and technology organizations are only granted additional topics if they can demonstrate the effectiveness of previous research results.

The draft Law also enhances the autonomy of organizations, individuals and project managers in implementing tasks, managing the apparatus, and spending according to the spending contract mechanism, but is accompanied by requirements to enhance accountability and transparency in resource use.

In particular, organizations and individuals performing the task have the right to own research results for commercialization; researchers are entitled to receive at least 30% of the income earned from research results when commercializing and are exempted from or have their personal income tax reduced for this income. This will create motivation for innovation, promote the spirit of daring to think and do in research, conduct research towards practical results, and closely link science and technology with socio-economic development.

Minh Thu

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/doi-moi-quy-trinh-trien-khai-de-tai-de-nha-khoa-hoc-doanh-nghiep-khong-phai-di-xin/20250507091325356