Information on the thesis "Identifying factors hindering the implementation of the mechanism of autonomy and self-responsibility of science and technology organizations according to Decree 115/2005/ND-CP" by graduate student Le Thu Huong, majoring in Science and Technology Management.1. Student's Full Name: Le Thu Huong 2. Gender: Female 3. Date of Birth: September 14, 1986 4. Place of Birth: Ha Nam 5. Decision No. 1355/2008/QD-XHNV-KH&SDH dated October 24, 2008, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 6. Changes during the training process: None 7. Thesis Title: “Identifying factors hindering the implementation of the self-governance 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 Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cao Dam, Director of the Center for Policy Research and Analysis, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 10. Summary of thesis results: The reform of the science and technology system is a topic that has received much attention, both theoretically and practically. In 2005, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 115/2005/ND-CP on the autonomy and accountability of public science and technology organizations, considered a "breakthrough" in science and technology policy, "unleashing" and "liberating the capacity" of researchers, and promoting the development of science and technology. However, in practice, after more than six years of implementation, the Decree has seemingly failed to be implemented and has reached a deadlock. This thesis investigates and explains the reasons for the failure of Decree 115/2005/ND-CP. The research methods used include: document review, observation, investigation, and in-depth interviews. By summarizing theory and exploring practice, the thesis has shown that Decree 115 failed because the "autonomy" model stipulated in this policy document is linked to "self-financing." Financial autonomy should not be understood as autonomy in using funding sources, but rather as eliminating the "request-and-grant" mechanism. The thesis has shown that the "self-financing" model is only suitable for technology institutes; in essence, most other types of science and technology organizations must be financially subsidized. However, these organizations must have autonomy in using the funded resources, avoiding the bureaucratization of scientific activities. The inappropriate provisions of Decree 115 have led to a series of practical difficulties, from the design of the legal framework by administrators to the implementation of the transformation policy of science and technology organizations. Therefore, after more than six years of official implementation, Decree 115 has not achieved the set objectives. The thesis also provides arguments showing that continued efforts to transform public science and technology organizations according to the model of Decree 115 in the future will not lead to positive results in improving Vietnam's science and technology sector. 11. Practical application: Proposing recommendations on science and technology policies to innovate Vietnam's science and technology system. 12. Future research directions: - Autonomous science and technology organization model; - Financial investment for science and technology organizations; - Community and funding organization oversight of science and technology 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.
