Risk of manpower shortage in the remote sensing industry.

Remote sensing is considered one of the nation's strategic infrastructure technologies, linked to digital transformation, resource management, environmental protection, and national defense and security, and is opening up many opportunities for widespread application in socio-economic life.

Remote sensing technology on the Google Earth application provides high-resolution imagery, effectively supporting the planning and management of modern infrastructure.

However, the remote sensing industry is facing a major challenge due to a shortage of both quantitatively and qualitatively qualified personnel. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed promptly.

Aging workforce, lack of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Currently, while Vietnam has an initial foundation in remote sensing human resources, the scale and quality are still limited. At the central level, personnel are mainly concentrated in units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , especially the National Remote Sensing Agency, along with specialized units in forestry, agriculture, meteorology, hydrology, geology, climate change, etc., and in some other ministries and sectors involved in national defense and security tasks.

In localities, remote sensing personnel are allocated to the Departments of Agriculture and Environment. However, civil servants and technical staff in these units mostly have expertise in land management, environment, mapping, etc. Therefore, the implementation of state management tasks in remote sensing at the local level is still limited. It is noteworthy that the average age of remote sensing personnel in these management agencies is quite high, with most over 40 years old.

Furthermore, while these officials are proficient in traditional management processes, they are limited in their access to modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, or multi-source satellite image processing. "Without a strategy for retraining and rejuvenating the workforce, the risk of falling behind in the capacity to manage and utilize remote sensing data will increasingly grow," shared Mr. Tran Tuan Ngoc, Director of the National Remote Sensing Agency.

Meanwhile, the rapid pace of technological development has meant that many training programs have not kept up, as the enormous volume of satellite data demands interdisciplinary processing skills, combining mathematics, computer science, geography, environmental science, etc. Furthermore, for many years, the surveying and mapping major, the foundation for remote sensing training, has faced difficulties in student recruitment despite lower entrance requirements compared to many other fields. One reason is that young people are hesitant due to the nature of the profession, which requires working in remote areas and demanding jobs.

"Without a strategy for retraining and rejuvenating the workforce, the risk of falling behind in the capacity to manage and utilize remote sensing data will increase."

Mr. Tran Tuan Ngoc, Director of the National Remote Sensing Agency

The coordination mechanism between the State, schools, and businesses is still not strong. Students have few opportunities to intern in businesses or participate in applied research projects at ministries and agencies. In 2019, the Prime Minister approved the National Remote Sensing Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2040. After 5 years of implementation (2019-2024), more than 200 officials and engineers have received formal training in remote sensing.

Several universities have opened majors in remote sensing, geographic information systems, and space technology. However, there is still a shortage of high-quality human resources; 62% of localities do not have dedicated remote sensing personnel, the workforce mainly focuses on basic technical skills, lacking leading experts and strong research groups have not yet been formed.

Furthermore, the domestic labor market for remote sensing is not yet fully developed due to low salaries, making it difficult for businesses and government agencies to attract and retain talented personnel. For example, companies like Sao Vega and Vidagis – pioneers in applying remote sensing and AI technology to resource monitoring, urban development, and smart agriculture – are constantly concerned about retaining high-quality personnel because their compensation packages are not truly competitive compared to the information and communication technology sector.

A national strategy is needed for the development of remote sensing human resources.

Vietnam currently possesses many advantages for developing remote sensing human resources. The government has issued numerous major strategies and programs on digital transformation, resource management, and environmental protection. The demand for integrating remote sensing into socio-economic sectors is expanding, from land monitoring and smart agriculture to urban management and disaster prevention. These driving forces are contributing to an increasingly diverse and dynamic working environment for remote sensing professionals. However, to truly achieve a breakthrough, experts believe a comprehensive system of solutions is necessary.

First and foremost, it is necessary to promote the development of remote sensing human resources; clearly define human resource needs at each stage, from research and training to application and businesses, along with specific quantitative targets to provide a basis for monitoring and evaluation.

Regarding training, it is necessary to innovate training programs towards an interdisciplinary approach. Universities should open majors or specializations that integrate remote sensing, data science, AI, big data, multi-source data, and information technology; and update teaching content to align with technological trends, enabling students to process and apply information immediately after graduation. In addition to formal training, short-term courses, online programs, and retraining programs should be developed for existing staff, especially those with a high average age and limited technological literacy.

The government needs to have preferential mechanisms, incentives, and policies to attract and retain talent. At the same time, it should build a competitive compensation system, a favorable research environment, opportunities to participate in international projects for remote sensing professionals, as well as policies to attract Vietnamese experts abroad to return and contribute.

According to experts and scientists, strengthening links with universities, research institutes, and international organizations with strengths in remote sensing training and research will also expand opportunities for academic exchange, connect training with practical needs, facilitate internships, technology transfer, and participation in joint projects. Involving students, trainees, and experts directly in remote sensing application projects of ministries, sectors, and businesses will help improve practical skills while creating tangible value for socio-economic development.

BICH VAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguy-co-thieu-hut-nhan-luc-nganh-vien-tham-post920114.html