Amend the Law on Science and Technology to keep pace with global trends.

The draft Law on Science and Technology aims to promote science, technology, and innovation.

The 2013 Law on Science and Technology has updated the new challenges and trends, in line with the guiding principles of the Party and Government to promote science and technology in the 2015-2020 period.

However, after 10 years of implementation, the global landscape has changed dramatically, particularly with the rapid development of science and technology and the explosion of digital technology .

These changes have accelerated the pace of research and application of technology. Countries that invest heavily in science and technology have quickly overcome the middle-income trap to become high-income countries. In particular, the connection between socio-economic development and science and technology is becoming increasingly close; scientific research and technological development cannot be separated from the application of results to life.

Along with that, the concept of "research and development" has gradually been replaced by "research, development and innovation".

With the rapid growth of major technology corporations worldwide, this activity is not only taking place in research institutes and universities but is also widespread in businesses. Many businesses even invest in basic research to create a foundation for inventions and technological applications in their operations.

Many research findings from institutes and universities are of interest to businesses and the public.

Over the past 10 years, the Party's guiding documents have repeatedly mentioned the integration of socio-economic development, industrialization, and modernization.

In most of those documents, the role of science, technology, and innovation is consistently affirmed as a crucial element: "science and technology are truly a top national priority"; "science, technology, and innovation are among the most important strategic breakthroughs towards rapid and sustainable development." Therefore, these contents need to be promptly institutionalized into law.

Vietnam's socio-economic development has been robust, with significant contributions from both state-owned and private enterprises. For these businesses to continue to thrive, investment in science and technology is essential.

Given this trend, the Law on Science and Technology needs to be amended to enhance the mobilization of investment, attention, and human resources from the business sector for research and development activities and to keep pace with global trends.

The 2013 Law on Science and Technology will be renamed the Law on Science and Technology and Innovation. Although regulations on innovation have been mentioned in several existing laws such as the 2013 Law on Science and Technology and the Law on Technology Transfer, the full scope of innovation and its related elements have not yet been clearly defined.

Globally, a movement for innovation has emerged, leading to the development of concepts such as national and industry-specific innovation systems and other interconnected models.

Vietnam is also shifting in line with this global trend, moving towards a national innovation system development model in which businesses play a central role and research institutes and universities are the main research entities. Besides applying science and technology, innovation activities also focus on improving production processes.

This new Law on Science and Technology is expected to establish a comprehensive legal framework to promote the development of the national innovation system, while encouraging this activity in businesses, communities, and state management agencies. These regulations will facilitate other laws, such as the Tax Law and the Land Law, by providing incentives to promote science, technology, and innovation.

Strengthening human resources in science, technology, and innovation.

Experience from other countries shows that, in order to develop based on science, technology, and innovation, the number of research and development personnel needs to reach approximately 12 people per 10,000 inhabitants.

To achieve the goal of increasing the number of research and development personnel and raising social investment levels, comprehensive reforms are needed, including integrating research and development activities into the law.

To increase investment in science and technology, developed countries have sought to raise the proportion of investment from the private sector. Typically, the proportion of investment from the state will decrease from 100% to around 30%, while the proportion of investment from the private sector will increase to around 70%.

In the Law on Science and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology planned to submit to the Government and then to the National Assembly a proposal to increase the number of research staff from 7 to 12 per 10,000 people.

Experience from other countries shows that, in order to develop based on science, technology, and innovation, the number of research and development personnel needs to reach approximately 12 people per 10,000 inhabitants.

The solution is to follow the model implemented by other countries, aiming to promote investment from society, businesses, and the private sector in science and technology. This investment will include financing and the construction of research and development centers and institutes, as well as the formation of research and development teams within businesses.

However, it cannot be expected that businesses will immediately invest in science and technology, as such investments are often risky and do not immediately yield profits, while the main goal of businesses is to achieve profitability and maintain their existence.

Currently, most Vietnamese businesses, with the exception of a few large corporations, lack the motivation or willingness to invest in science and technology due to concerns that the benefits of such investments will only be realized over a long period, not immediately.

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy stated that the new Law on Science and Technology needs policies to enhance investment attraction from society. First, the State will implement support programs to facilitate the transfer of research results and connect universities with businesses.

On the other hand, it is necessary to establish incentive mechanisms, such as tax breaks and reduced land rent, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises during their initial difficult period.

"I believe that, in order to achieve the goal of increasing the number of research staff and social investment, the Law on Science and Technology needs to be comprehensively amended, including integrating research and development activities of the entire society into the Law, not just relying on current regulations," Deputy Minister Bui The Duy emphasized.

Regarding the proposed amendments to the Law on Science and Technology, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy shared that solutions have been put forward, including a new set of policies and issues. Accordingly, universities are gradually becoming strong research entities, equivalent to research institutes. To develop science and technology activities in universities, research content, operational content, and even investment funding for universities are needed.

For example, we need doctoral training programs funded by science and technology. In fact, many countries around the world consider doctoral students to be the primary research force. This is because doctoral students are young, creative, and most passionate about their work. Therefore, it is necessary to build systems of doctoral training programs, and treat them as researchers and research workers, not just students.

Furthermore, post-graduate support programs are needed to enable postgraduate students to continue to be independent in conducting their research. Simultaneously, centers of excellence in science and technology should be established, fostering strong links between research and education.

Many experts believe that it is highly desirable to propose separating the research staff of research institutes and universities from the notion of treating them as employees of public institutions. Similar to practices in other countries, lecturers and researchers should be encouraged to participate in managing businesses established by research institutes and universities, based on their research results and intellectual property. This would help bring innovation from businesses closer to universities, and even within universities themselves.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/sua-doi-luat-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-theo-kip-xu-huong-chung-cua-the-gioi-post822169.html