Ceremony marks VAST’s foundation, Science-Technology Day hinh anh 1NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the event (Source: VNA)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony was held in Hanoi on May 17 to mark the fifth Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18) and the 43rd founding anniversary of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST, May 20).

On June 18, 2013, the National Assembly approved the Law on Science and Technology, which defines May 18 as the Vietnam Science and Technology Day.

VAST President Chau Van Minh said the academy now has 52 subordinate units, including 33 research institutes and centres, one institute of science and technology, and one university of science and technology. It also owns the first centres on mathematics and physics recognised and patronized by UNESCO in Vietnam.

He said over the last 43 years, VAST has continually been the leading scientific and technological research agency of Vietnam. It is chairing many important programmes and projects such as a programme on space science and technology, a project on the Vietnam National Space Centre, a project on a centre for verifying martyrs’ DNA, and another on producing steel from red mud – the waste of bauxite processing in the Central Highlands.

The academy is also continuing cooperation with France to create earth observation satellites after the successful production of VNREDSAT-1 satellite, he noted.

At the ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan applauded prominent achievements that VAST and scientists have obtained in all fields.

She asked the academy to push ahead with reforming the management of scientific and technological activities so as to create favourable conditions and momentum for scientists to work.

It should pay more attention to the fields with high applicability and those relating to both natural science and technology, build some international-standard research institutes and laboratories, and mobilise private funds for the application of scientific and technological advances in production and business activities, the top legislator said.

Chairwoman Ngan told VAST to devise a strategy for developing scientific manpower so as to have capable staff serving the academy’s development amid the global competition in science and technology.

She also stressed the need to enhance scientific and technological cooperation with Vietnamese and foreign partners.-VNA
VNA