Merging the two Ministries of Information and Communications and Science and Technology to promote better digital transformation

The good way is to learn from each other's experiences.

On the afternoon of December 9, Party Central Committee member and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung chaired the State management conference for the fourth quarter of 2024 of the Ministry with the Departments of Information and Communications.

Taking place in both direct and online formats with 66 connecting points, the conference was also attended by Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Duc Long; representatives of IT units of ministries and branches; and heads and deputy heads of agencies and units in the Ministry.

The State management conference for the fourth quarter of 2024 between the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Departments of Information and Communications was held on the afternoon of December 9, chaired by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung. Photo: Le Anh Dung

According to the Office of the Ministry of Information and Communications, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Departments of Information and Communications have made efforts to contribute to the development of the industry's fields, including the digital technology and press and media groups.

For example, in terms of telecommunications infrastructure management and development, Binh Duong has undergrounded and rehabilitated telecommunications cables on 21 routes with a total length of 40km; Hai Phong has achieved the target of 100% of communes having postal service points with Internet connection; Hai Duong has a population coverage rate of 100%.

In the field of digital economy, many Departments of Information and Communications have coordinated and supported businesses in developing e-commerce platforms, connecting and promoting products. For example, Da Nang developed the Make in DaNang digital transformation platform, Can Tho proposed to invest in the "Online Rice Market" project, Bac Lieu built a plan to support businesses to have an online presence...

Regarding press and media, Thua Thien Hue has built and operated the Provincial Spokesperson Network System at cqs.thuathienhue.gov.vn and the Hue-S platform. Accordingly, by November 28, the system had received and forwarded 185 questions from press agencies to 36 functional units; provided 139 pieces of information from state agencies to 88 press agencies.

The spokesperson network system of Thua Thien Hue province will be officially operated from March 2024, integrated on the Hue-S platform. Photo: V.Sy

Talking with the Departments of Information and Communications, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Minister himself have been learning international experience in management and promoting development in the industry's fields.

In each sector, there are provinces that do well and provinces that do not. On the other hand, digital transformation is new, so the best way is for localities to learn from each other's experiences. For example, in telecommunications, there are currently 55 provinces that have issued plans to develop digital infrastructure in the area, the remaining provinces can learn from the 55 localities that have plans.

Regarding digital transformation, Hanoi with its large resources has recently done 3 things: Signed a contract to rent cloud services; transferred data from the old system to the cloud; and launched a program to reuse old computers. Other localities can learn from Hanoi's experience.

To promote localities learning from each other's experiences, the head of the Information and Communications sector assigned the Ministry's Office to draft a document stipulating that department heads and division heads must collect information on experiences and good practices from ministries, sectors, localities and organizations to share once a quarter. "There is nothing better than learning from each other's experiences," Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized.

Digital transformation requires thinking that turns difficult things into easy things.

At the conference, representatives of some Departments of Information and Communications shared their local practices and asked for opinions from leaders of the Ministry of Information and Communications to resolve problems.

Specifically, from practical implementation experience, the representative of the Department of Information and Communications of Dak Nong said that to detect and handle bad and toxic information effectively, it is necessary to proactively coordinate in providing information and appropriate handling methods to guide public opinion. Grasping the situation early, from afar, right at the grassroots level, on cyberspace will prevent and minimize the negative impact of fake news and bad and toxic information.

In Hai Phong, the locality is focusing on building a shared data warehouse for departments and branches. Mr. Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Hai Phong, said that Hai Phong's digital transformation focuses on data, aiming to provide data services and make the most of service rental. The city has synchronously deployed a shared data warehouse, an open data portal, a comprehensive analysis and processing platform, and AI applications to serve management and direction.

Meanwhile, Ha Tinh is facing difficulties with some areas without mobile signal. The province has made a list and hopes that the Telecommunications Department will support the implementation of removing the signal depression areas.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the biggest and most difficult thing about digital transformation is making data in data warehouses grow larger. Photo: Le Anh Dung

In response to the sharing of localities, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung made many important suggestions, emphasizing the need to simplify complex issues in digital transformation.

Regarding building a data warehouse, the Minister pointed out that this is not too difficult: “Building a data warehouse is not difficult, writing applications is extremely easy, it is best to hire a business. In essence, the Department of Information and Communications only needs to work on transferring data from the old warehouse to the new warehouse”. According to the Minister, the biggest and most difficult task of digital transformation is to make the data in these warehouses grow larger.

“It is impossible to make an application without the stuff (data) in the warehouse. Even though it is difficult to have stuff (data) but it is scattered in dilapidated, scattered warehouses, it is still possible to write an application,” said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Departments and branches need to clarify what data they have, digitize undigitized data and update data daily. The Minister emphasized: "Digital transformation sounds formidable but in essence it is that simple."

Regarding the handling of signal depressions, the Telecommunications Department was assigned to promptly provide guidance so that the Departments of Information and Communications can collect specific information about signal depressions. Accordingly, it is necessary to clearly identify the coordinates, the number of households that need coverage and other specific criteria to serve the bidding process to effectively remove signal depressions.

New ministries and departments will be stronger and more important.

During the conference with the Departments of Information and Communications, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung informed: The Politburo is about to issue a Resolution on digital transformation. Provinces and cities need to rely on the suggestions of the Ministry of Information and Communications to incorporate the Central Government's thoughts and viewpoints into the Resolution of the province for the next term.

Ministries, branches and localities are reminded of two things that need to be focused on completing in 2025. That is, completing the construction of the database to start data-based operations; ending the e-Government phase, moving to the digital Government development phase, with the important goal of the rate of online records of ministries and branches reaching 85% and localities reaching 70%.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung assigned Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long to sign a document this week assigning the target of online public services to each ministry, branch, and locality and send it to the heads of ministries and provinces. Regarding database construction, the Ministry of Information and Communications will also provide guidance to ministries, branches, and localities in December.

Notably, understanding the concerns of the Ministry's staff and the Departments of Information and Communications about the merger with the Ministry and Department of Science and Technology, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized: The merger of the two ministries is good for the country and the industry. The two Ministries of Information and Communications and Science and Technology, when merged together, will form a stronger apparatus, promoting better digital transformation.

Through specific analysis of positive points, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung pointed out: With resonance and synergy, after the merger, the new ministry as well as the new departments will have a better position and role, becoming truly important and indispensable multi-sectoral ministries and departments of the country.

At the conference, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also reminded the units in the Ministry as well as the Departments of Information and Communications to maintain normal operations and not delay work. Photo of leaders of the Departments of Information and Communications attending the online meeting: Le Anh Dung

Once again affirming the goal after the merger, the new ministry and new departments must be stronger, the head of the Information and Communications sector said: To do this, there needs to be a unified perception, clarity in leadership, and focus on taking care of common work, for the new ministry and new departments.

The leaders of the two departments of Information and Communications and Science and Technology must discuss and reach an agreement in the near future. The department directors must also discuss and meet with units and individuals to explain; and especially must unite to avoid conflicts.

Requesting the officials of the Information and Communications sector to unify the principle that the two ministries and departments are equally large and important, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also noted the need to maintain normal operations, ensure no delays in work, and avoid the "afternoon market" mentality. "We need to look at the positive and good aspects to focus on work; and especially, there must be no personal distractions, all for the common cause" , the head of the Information and Communications sector requested.

Vietnamnet.vn

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