Comments on the Draft Documents of the 14th National Party Congress: Need for a breakthrough in developing young science and technology human resources

The draft documents of the 14th National Congress need to continue to affirm more clearly and strongly the development philosophy of putting human resources on par with technology; developing young science and technology human resources must be considered a prerequisite to mastering strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, big data, network security, etc.

Investing in people ensures a foundation of technological autonomy

From the 12th Congress up to now, the contents of the Party's Documents and Resolutions have shown dialectical and unified direction in science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation, development of science and technology human resources, high-quality human resources; development of private enterprises... as a new theoretical framework for development of national and contemporary character based on the principle of harmonious and synchronous development between People - Technology - Production and business.

Through the Congresses, our Party has perceived the contents from caution to piloting and encouraging; from "components" to "driving force", "high priority", "core"; from policies to building specific mechanisms and institutions; from scientific research to application in production and business; from importing and applying advanced machinery and technology in the world to promoting research, creating new technology, mastering technology; from individual production enterprises to linkage models, creating a science and technology ecosystem associated with enterprises and economic growth...

The Draft Political Report as well as the Draft Action Program of the Central Executive Committee to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Congress continue to demonstrate the upgrading of the Party's thinking and strategic vision in establishing a new growth model, restructuring the economy, promoting industrialization and modernization, taking science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force . This is a strategic orientation, creating a breakthrough development for the country in the coming period.

Staff of the Science and Technology Center (Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology) perform inspection and measurement activities. Photo: Le Canh

In particular, the Draft Political Report clearly stated one of the key tasks as: focusing on implementing breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to create a foundation for developing new and modern production forces, prioritizing the development of a number of strategic industries and technologies, focusing on artificial intelligence; promoting training and using high-quality human resources, creating a key driving force to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, added value, and competitiveness of products, businesses and the economy .

Investing in people is to ensure the harmonious development of productive forces, avoiding the situation of "excess of machinery, lack of intelligence", "excess of technology, lack of human resources", and also to ensure a long-term foundation for autonomy, technological innovation and enhancing national competitiveness.

Although the Party and State have paid great attention to the development of science and technology in general and human resources in science and technology in particular, there are still many difficulties and bottlenecks in the development of science and technology, especially young human resources and human resources in small and medium enterprises.

The results of the state-level research project "Policies and solutions for developing young science and technology human resources in small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam in the period of 2021 - 2030" conducted by the Institute for Communication and Development Studies in the period of 2022 - 2025 reflect that the science and technology capacity of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector is currently weak. The proportion of enterprises with research and development (R&D) departments is less than 5%, the investment rate for science and technology accounts for only less than 1% of revenue. The number of young science and technology human resources working in medium-sized enterprises is lacking, of low quality and not yet used effectively.

One of the main reasons is the lack of specific, strong and attractive mechanisms and policies to attract, develop and retain young science and technology human resources in enterprises. Enterprises have not yet created a favorable environment for this human resource to promote its capacity and dedication. Current policies when implemented are still scattered, overlapping, lacking a separate legal framework for science and technology human resources in general, young science and technology human resources in particular; lacking a mechanism to bind implementation responsibilities between ministries, branches, localities and enterprises; lacking effective linkages between research institutes, universities and enterprises, not forming a strong enough science and technology ecosystem, with science and technology human resources and technological innovation as the center.

Investing in young human resources is investing in national strength.

From that reality, the Draft Documents of the 14th Congress need to continue to affirm more clearly and strongly the development philosophy of putting human resources (people) on par with technology in developing productive forces, considering science and technology human resources as a factor promoting technology transfer from the academic sector to the economic sector. Developing young science and technology human resources in terms of quantity and quality must be considered a prerequisite for mastering strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, network security, biotechnology, new materials and renewable energy.

The Draft Document requires a more drastic spirit in promoting research and development (R&D) activities in enterprises. It is necessary to set the target of the rate of enterprises with R&D departments at least 40% by 2030 and continue to increase in the following years. It is necessary to direct the formation of regional research, development and innovation centers, creating conditions for enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, to easily access research infrastructure, technology investment capital and high-quality human resources. At the same time, it is necessary to direct the formation of a National Innovation Ecosystem with science and technology human resources as the center, including innovation clusters, young expert networks, technology advisory programs and technology idea trading floors, focusing on young scientists, engineers, technology entrepreneurs and data experts to be trained, given opportunities, tested, honored and protected by policies.

Developing human resources for science and technology in general, and young human resources for science and technology in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises is not only an economic task but also a mission that determines the future of technological independence and national position in the era of artificial intelligence. Investing in young human resources today is investing in the nation's strength tomorrow. When this content is mentioned in the Draft Documents of the 14th National Congress, it will pave the way for a breakthrough period in knowledge, technology and Vietnamese people, turning the desire for development into a strong endogenous driving force, and firmly bringing Vietnam to become a creative nation, a technological nation, a knowledge nation in the 21st century.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/gop-y-du-thao-van-kien-dai-hoi-xiv-cua-dang-can-su-dot-pha-phat-trien-nhan-luc-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-tre-10394764.html