Thesis information "Identifying factors hindering the implementation of the autonomy and self-responsibility mechanism of science and technology organizations according to Decree 115/2005/ND-CP" by HVCH Le Thu Huong, majoring in Science and Technology Management.1. Full name of student: Le Thu Huong 2. Gender: Female 3. Date of birth: September 14, 1986 4. Place of birth: Ha Nam 5. Decision to recognize student No.: 1355/2008/QD-XHNV-KH&SĐH dated October 24, 2008 by the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 6. Changes in the training process: None 7. Thesis topic: "Identifying factors hindering the implementation of the autonomy and self-responsibility mechanism of science and technology organizations according to Decree 115/2005/ND-CP" 8. Major: Science and Technology Management; Code: 60 34 72 9. Scientific supervisor: Associate Professor. Dr. Vu Cao Dam, Director of the Center for Policy Research and Analysis, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 10. Summary of the results of the thesis: Innovation of the S&T system is a topic that has been receiving much attention, both in theory and practice. In 2005, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 115/2005/ND-CP on autonomy and self-responsibility of public S&T organizations, which is considered a "breakthrough" in S&T policy, "untying" and "liberating the capacity" of researchers, promoting the development of S&T. However, in practice, after more than six years of implementation, the Decree seems to be unfeasible and has reached a deadlock. This thesis explores and explains the reasons for the failure of Decree 115/2005/ND-CP. The research methods used include: document research, observation, investigation, and in-depth interviews. By summarizing theory and studying practice, the thesis has shown that Decree 115 failed because the "autonomy" model stipulated in this policy document is associated with "self-financing". Financial autonomy is not understood in the sense of autonomy in using funding sources but rather in eliminating the "ask-give" mechanism. The thesis has shown that the "self-financing" model is only suitable for technology institutes, while, in essence, most other types of S&T organizations must be financially subsidized. However, these organizations must be autonomous in using funded funding sources, avoiding the bureaucracy of scientific activities. The inappropriate provisions of Decree 115 have led to a series of practical problems, from the aspect of designing the legal framework of managers to implementing the transformation policy of S&T organizations. Therefore, after more than six years of official implementation, Decree 115 has not achieved the set results. The thesis also provides arguments showing that continuing efforts to transform public S&T organizations according to the model of Decree 115 in the following period will not lead to positive results to improve Vietnam's S&T. 11. Practical applicability: Proposing recommendations on S&T policies to innovate Vietnam's S&T system. 12. Further research directions: - Model of autonomous S&T organizations; - Financial investment for S&T organizations; - Supervision by the community and funding organizations of S&T activities
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name: LE THU HUONG 2. Sex: Female 3. Date of birth: 14 Sep 1986 4. Place of birth: Ha Nam 5. Admission decision number: 1355/2008/QD-XHNV-KH&SĐH, Dated 24 Oct 2008 by Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University-Hanoi 6. Changes in academic process: None 7. Official thesis title: “Obstacles to the transition of public Scientific and Technological organizations toward autonomy and self-responsibility according to Decree No. 115/2005/ND-CP” 8. Major: Science and Technology Management; 9. Code: 60 34 72 10. Supervisors: Dr. Vu Cao Dam – Director of The Center for Policy Studies and Analysis, University of Social Sciences and Humanities Hanoi 11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: Policy reform in the field of science and technology has been an ongoing topic of conversation, both theoretical and practical. In 2005, the Government of Vietnam issued a Decree No. 115/2005/ND-CP on autonomy and self-responsibility of public scientific and technological organizations, which was considered as a “breakthrough” in S&T policy reform, a “liberation” for researchers to push up S&T development. The implementation of such Decree, however, has met a wide range of difficulties and has seemed impossible. This thesis examines the failure of Decree No. 115, and explains why such highly expected policy has come to a failure. Three main research methodologies have been employed: (i) document analysis; (ii) observation; and (iii) in-depth interviews. It is demonstrated by theoretical and practical evidences of the thesis that the failure of Decree No. 115 is due to the design of the “autonomy” mechanism. The model of so-called “autonomous” S&T organization is, as regulated in the Decree, mainly “self-financed”, with the vision of removing “application - approval” mechanism in the field of science and technology. Such design of “self-funded organization” has been argued as only suitable to some kinds of technological institutes; others are necessarily based on funds from sponsors, included the state, for fulfilling their public mission. Therefore, since its comment, the highly expected policy has met a variety of obstacles, from the legal framework designed by state agencies to implementation of the policy performed by S&T organizations. After over six years of issuance, Decree No. 115 has almost failed to achieve expected results. Finally, the thesis also provides evidence for the failure of the policy even if the Goverment of Hanoi keeps trying to completely perform the transition of public S&T toward “self-finance organizations” and “self-responsibility”. If it is the case, the new system of “self-finance” and “self-responsibility” S&T organizations does not make any move in the development of Vietnam's S&T. 12. Practical applicability: Provides evidence and recommendations to policy makers for the reforming of S&T system in Vietnam 13. Further research directions: - Model of autonomous scientific and technological organizations; - Financial investment to scientific and technological organizations; - Oversight of community and sponsors to scientific and technological organizations 14. Thesis-related publications: None.
