Prime Minister encourages young generation 'gen Z' to bravely start businesses and innovate

The Prime Minister visited the space displaying startup booths and listened to students share ideas - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the morning of May 12, at Can Tho University, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony of the 6th National Startup Day for students.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the People's Committee of Can Tho City. The festival is part of the activities to continue implementing Decision No. 1665/QD-TTg dated October 30, 2017 of the Prime Minister on approving the Project "Supporting students to start a business until 2025".

Also attending were: former Vice President, President of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education Nguyen Thi Doan; Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son; Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung; Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat; First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Bui Quang Huy; Leaders of central ministries, departments and branches; leaders of Can Tho City and provinces in the Mekong Delta region.

To foster the entrepreneurial spirit and create a favorable environment to support students in forming and realizing startup ideas and projects, the Prime Minister approved the Project "Supporting students to start businesses by 2025" by Decision No. 1665/QD-TTg dated October 30, 2017 (Project 1665).

In the spirit of Project 1665, the National Student Startup Festival, held annually since 2018, has truly become an intellectual playground, a place to form ideas and valuable scientific research to promote the entrepreneurial aspirations of young people. At the same time, it creates a favorable environment to support students in forming and realizing startup ideas and projects.

According to reports and opinions at the event, in the period of 2018-2023, the Project achieved most of its goals. 100% of universities, academies, and schools (universities, colleges, and secondary schools) have plans to support students in starting a business. 90% of students are educated and raised awareness, equipped with knowledge and skills about starting a business before graduation. The rate of students starting a business after 5 years of graduation is about 8%.

Attracted nearly 3,000 startup projects from students and over 4,000 startup ideas and projects in the field of vocational education. Some projects have been successfully invested in such as the "Green Concrete is environmentally friendly" project of a group of students from the University of Mining and Geology; or the "Production and trading of products from Son Tra (apple)" project of a group of students from Tran Nhat Duat High School, Yen Bai province...

By the end of 2023, there will be 110 co-working spaces for startups in universities; more than 120 universities have made innovation and entrepreneurship a compulsory or elective subject; 10 training institutions have arranged funds to support student startups.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels has organized more than 3,000 creative idea competitions, attracting nearly 370,000 young people to participate with nearly 14,000 startup ideas; supporting nearly 16,000 projects with a total budget of nearly 700 billion VND.

There have been fundamental changes in connecting startup support entities in the entire ecosystem; a network of Innovation and Startup Center Connections of universities and colleges has been built.

The Prime Minister speaks at the opening ceremony of the 6th National Startup Day for students - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

To have startups and innovation, there must be innovative people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that startups and innovation are an important driving force and resource for the sustainable development of each country. To have startups and innovation, there must be innovative people. Startups require passion, determination, perseverance and courage to overcome difficulties and challenges to achieve success.

According to the Prime Minister, attending the Opening Ceremony of the 6th National Student Startup Day today, in Can Tho City - Tay Do "white rice, clear water" - a leading locality in innovation, we are very happy to meet the faces of intelligent, dynamic, enthusiastic and ambitious students.

"In you - the future owners of the country, I clearly feel the passion, aspiration, determination, perseverance and courage to start a business and contribute. With today's enthusiastic young generation, always carrying within them the tradition of patriotism, national pride, inheriting the spirit of self-reliance, self-reliance, will, determination, passion and dedication of previous generations, we believe even more in the bright future of the country under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State, in which the young generation and youth are the main subjects," the Prime Minister said.

"I hope the entrepreneurial spirit will live forever, without limits or stopping points in the young generation. Entrepreneurship and innovation require courage and risk-taking, investment, no perfectionism, no haste," the Prime Minister added.

According to the Prime Minister, looking back at the history of the Vietnamese Revolution, with the viewpoint that "a rich people makes a strong country", the spirit of entrepreneurship was mentioned by beloved Uncle Ho very early. In the Letter to the Vietnamese Industrial and Commercial Association on October 13, 1945, Uncle Ho wrote: "A prosperous national economy means that the businesses of industrialists and merchants are prosperous".

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Education and Training, together with all levels, sectors and localities, to focus on implementing drastically, synchronously and effectively "1 Promote; 2 Strengthen; 3 Connect; 4 Concentrate; 5 Encourage" - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Imbued with his ideology, in recent years, the Party and State have paid special attention to, and have effectively issued and implemented many policies and guidelines to support and encourage startups and innovation.

In recent years, the startup movement has spread widely, from cities to rural areas and even to remote areas, border areas, islands, and ethnic minority areas. The entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to start a business have flourished in most classes and generations of people, especially among the young.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son shares at the Festival - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister assessed that after more than 6 years of implementation, Project 1665 has achieved important results as indicated in reports and opinions.

In particular, the Prime Minister was pleased that the start-up activities and projects of students are all based on innovation, science and technology, based on the needs of the market, of the people, of life and based on the different potentials, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages of the country, addressing difficult and challenging issues to propose solutions to resolve and remove them.

"We are proud that many Vietnamese students have achieved high results in studying and doing scientific research at home and abroad and have been recruited to work at large corporations and technology companies in the world such as Facebook, Space X, Google, Quora...", the Prime Minister shared.

Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Viet Truong speaks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Along with that, the National Student Startup Day is a festival to honor science and technology, the foundation of scientific research and the application of science and technology.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister acknowledged, highly appreciated and commended the positive results in start-ups and innovation among Vietnamese students and youth in recent times, contributing to the overall success of the country; welcomed ministries, branches and localities, especially the Ministry of Education and Training, for focusing on directing the good organization of the National Start-up Festival for students every year, from 2018 to present.

"The entrepreneurial spirit, the entrepreneurial movement and the entrepreneurial results have been contributing to the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the new revolutionary period - the Ho Chi Minh era," the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister pointed out that, besides the basic achievements, our startup ecosystem still has limitations and shortcomings.

The startup ecosystem in general and the startup ecosystem in educational institutions in particular are still limited and lack cohesion; there is still a gap compared to countries in the region and the world.

First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Bui Quang Huy speaks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Policies to support start-ups for students are still slow to be implemented. Incubation and start-up activities in higher education institutions are not yet in-depth; the system of facilities and laboratories is inadequate.

Many elements of the ecosystem are not yet strong enough. The mechanism for ordering and assigning tasks to local educational and training institutions is still quite cautious; the implementation of projects is still modest, the spread is not high, and the impact is not great.

The team of experienced and highly skilled startup support consultants is still limited. Risk aversion still exists among both educational institution managers and experts.

"1 Promote; 2 Enhance; 3 Connect; 4 Focus; 5 Encourage" innovation

Regarding the future context, the Prime Minister said that we are living in an era of globalization and increasingly deep international integration, especially the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is strongly impacting all areas of social life, all countries and regions.

In a world that is constantly changing with breakthrough achievements in science and technology, many emerging industries and fields are attracting global attention and investment such as digital economy, green economy, circular economy, semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen, etc.

This is a challenge, but also an opportunity, if we exploit well the different potentials, outstanding opportunities, competitive advantages of the country, of each industry, field, region, locality and of our people, especially the young generation, "gen Z" with intelligence, effort, perseverance, endurance, self-reliance, self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, high determination and proactiveness, flexible adaptation to the fluctuations of the situation.

Regarding orientation and goals, the Party and State identify rapid and sustainable national development based on science and technology, innovation, and promoting internal resources (people, nature, cultural traditions, history) as fundamental, strategic, long-term, and decisive, combining national strength and the strength of the times, internal and external strength.

Nguyen Thi Hoai Ni - Student of Tran Van Giau High School, Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City - member of the project "Bioplastic - Producing bioplastic from sweet potatoes, bagasse, coffee grounds" shares about her desire to start a business - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period affirms that human resource development associated with science, technology and innovation is one of the three strategic breakthroughs, the leading national policy for rapid and sustainable national development in the new period; is a key driving force to promote growth, create breakthroughs in productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy, as well as of each industry, field, region, locality and enterprise.

The 13th National Party Congress documents identified: "Strongly developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are the main driving forces for economic growth" and "Promoting national digital transformation; developing the digital economy on the basis of science, technology and innovation".

Science, technology and innovation are fundamental factors of digital transformation and green transformation - the two most important factors of economic restructuring on a global scale and especially important for our country today.

Project 1665 sets out the goal: "Promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of students and equipping them with knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship during their time at school. Creating a favorable environment to support students in forming and realizing startup ideas and projects, contributing to creating jobs for students after graduation".

The Prime Minister emphasized that in order for start-up activities among students to develop dramatically and truly become a widespread movement across the country, there needs to be a strong participation of the entire political system under the leadership of the Party, the management of the State, and the support of the people and businesses; with specific, appropriate, practical, and effective support mechanisms, policies, and solutions both in the short and long term.

The Prime Minister and delegates perform the opening ceremony of the 6th National Startup Day for students - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Regarding the main tasks and solutions in the coming time, the Prime Minister basically agreed with the tasks and solutions stated in the Report of the Ministry of Education and Training; at the same time, he requested the Ministry of Education and Training and all levels, sectors and localities to focus on implementing drastically, synchronously and effectively "1 Promote; 2 Strengthen; 3 Connect; 4 Focus; 5 Encourage".

"1 Promote" means: Promote the effective implementation of current policies; at the same time, promptly review, amend and supplement appropriate mechanisms and policies, creating a favorable environment, conditions and legal basis for young people and students to continuously start businesses and innovate.

"2 Enhancements" include:

- Strengthening the connection between universities and colleges with research centers with full modern equipment to help students research, create sample products, and create connections between professional groups through the support of staff, lecturers, and coordinators.

- Strengthen the mobilization and effective use of legal resources to promote startups and innovation among students, especially social resources and businesses.

"3 Connections" include:

- Connect student startup support centers in universities and vocational training institutions with startup centers in localities, forming a national startup connection network.

- Connect localities with universities in ordering and assigning tasks to develop startup projects in the spirit of solving practical local problems and the desires and needs of local people.

- Connecting entrepreneurship education from high school to higher education levels into consistent content and programs.

"4 Focus" includes:

- Focus on promoting the spirit of innovation in the education sector, among managers, staff, teachers, students. Innovate from thinking and doing to content, programs, teaching methods and bring about effectiveness.

- Focus on proposing, forming and developing innovation and startup support centers in universities, vocational training institutions and enterprises.

- Focus on proposing the construction of a trading floor for ideas and startup projects of students, young people and businesses. Have a mechanism to ensure that project ideas are protected to avoid copyright loss.

- Focus on resolving outstanding issues.

"5 Encouragements" include:

- Encourage businesses and agencies to use products created from startup projects.

- Encourage businesses to coordinate and support educational institutions in implementing career and employment counseling and startup support.

- Encourage businesses to build shared experiential spaces and creative startup spaces for educational institutions, combining learning with practice, avoiding the situation of experiential learning without content and methods, reducing the effectiveness of career and employment counseling.

- Encourage students and lecturers to actively participate in start-up activities and to promote the commercialization of research products.

- Encourage lecturers, staff, and youth union members to actively innovate, have new ways of thinking and doing things to create new values, participate in innovative start-up activities, community support activities, and help each other.

On that basis, the Prime Minister requested the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to widely implement the "Youth Start-up" program; focusing on developing the start-up capacity of Vietnamese youth, participating in creating an environment to support young people to start businesses to develop the country on the basis of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, green transformation, knowledge economy, circular economy, and sharing economy.

Along with that, continue to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and relevant agencies to effectively implement the Coordination Program, focusing on promoting the implementation of specific tasks to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people and students. Effectively implement 3 movements: Foreign language learning movement, information technology learning movement, digital transformation, environmental protection movement, climate change response.

For universities, vocational training institutions, and general education institutions, the Prime Minister requested to effectively implement issued mechanisms and policies; proactively allocate resources, promptly build and perfect the startup ecosystem; build a coordination mechanism with businesses to form business incubation centers in schools. Support staff and lecturers in registering for exclusive patent ownership; have solutions to support and promote the establishment of businesses, including science and technology businesses, to exploit, perfect and commercialize products.

At the same time, proactively cooperate with organizations and individuals to establish science and technology development funds for universities and vocational education institutions. Develop a network of startups, innovation, a network of experts, advisors, consultants to support training courses, organizations to promote production and business, a fund to support venture capital; connect with the national network of startups and innovation.

Invest in building standard laboratories with raw materials for experimental production; promote the development of start-up businesses right in universities. Provide teachers, students with information on start-up support policies; documents, materials, images, tools to assess students' abilities and talents, content of practice programs, experiences at businesses, propaganda and educational materials on innovation and start-up education.

Proactively issue and advise on the issuance of coordination mechanisms with businesses to develop training programs, foster knowledge and skills about careers and jobs for students. Organize experiential activities, career guidance, and start-ups for students associated with specific content and programs through learning and experience right at businesses, factories, and enterprises, ensuring that learning goes hand in hand with practice.

To the students, the future owners of the country, the Prime Minister reiterated the advice of beloved Uncle Ho: "If young people want to be worthy owners of the future, they must train their spirit and strength right now, and go to work to prepare for that future."

The Prime Minister hopes that students will continue to follow the shining examples of previous generations; always be diligent, hardworking, try to study well, practice well; maintain faith, and fulfill responsibilities to themselves, their families, the community, and society.

"Live a life full of passion, ambition, aspiration to rise up, the will to establish yourself and your career with the love of your heart, the creativity of your mind, and a passionate love for your country. You should always carry within you the spirit of determination: "Nurture ideas; ignite passion; be determined, persevere; face challenges, accept risks, and build a successful career", contributing your efforts and intelligence to the cause of building your beloved homeland and country to become more civilized and prosperous", the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister emphasized: With the tradition of patriotism, with the thousand-year history of our nation's culture; with a young generation full of enthusiasm, dynamism and creativity today, we believe that the passions, dreams, ambitions and aspirations of the youth will continue to be nurtured, take flight and become reality. We must motivate and inspire the young generation so that our country has truly diligent and talented owners who always live, study and work with all their heart, contributing to building an increasingly powerful and prosperous Vietnam; the Vietnamese people are increasingly prosperous and happy; and soon realize the mission of bringing the Vietnamese nation to the stage of glory, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents, as beloved Uncle Ho always wished.

Ha Van/ GOVERNMENT ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER

Source: https://www.baosoctrang.org.vn/thoi-su/thu-tuong-khich-le-the-he-tre-gen-z-dung-cam-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-73355.html