National Conference 2024: Enhancing basic science in sustainable development

The event was attended by representatives of Central agencies: Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Former Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department; Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs;
Representatives of Hanoi National University and leaders of 6 leading universities in training and basic science research in the 3 regions of North-Central-South: University of Natural Sciences, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Natural Sciences (under VNU), University of Social Sciences and Humanities (under VNU-HCM), University of Education (under Danang University), Dalat University.
The workshop also gathered more than 80 researchers, managers, lecturers from central agencies, universities, and research institutes to provide in-depth analysis of the role of basic sciences in the country's development in all aspects of economy, society, culture, and global integration; on that basis, propose solutions to promote the role of educational institutions in training highly qualified human resources in basic sciences. Conference Scene

The fundamental role of basic science in national development

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi) emphasized: “Basic sciences (KHCB) include natural sciences such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geology and social sciences such as history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, linguistics, etc. These are fields of study that deeply study the theories and laws of the natural and social world, but play a key role, a premise for the development of applied sciences. In Vietnam, many basic sciences in general have reached international standards.
At this time, the whole country is bustling with the topics of "National responsibility", "New era/era of national rise", the annual conference with the theme "Basic science with national responsibility" is RIGHT (time) and RIGHT (issue). Participating in today's conference are the core units in training high-quality human resources, promoting scientific research, applying the results of basic science research to serve social life. With the philosophy "Academics are the foundation, modernity is the trend", we expect today's conference to be an opportunity for scientists and units to promote previous cooperation results, at the same time propose directions and solutions related to training, research and serving the community, promoting the role and strengths of each unit, contributing to the development of basic science in our country". Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Party Secretary, President of VNU-USSH)
In the report introducing the Conference, Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) highlighted the role of basic science: “After 40 years of renovation, the country’s foundation, potential, position and international reputation have been raised to a new level. With these historic achievements, the country’s basic science has made an important contribution and deserves to be affirmed.
Basic science, with all its very specific activities such as: basic research; training of basic science human resources and scientific consulting at the level of innovation in thinking, planning national guidelines and policies, has made important and responsible contributions. Scientific research data of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi clearly shows that role: From 2020 to present, the University's staff have been implementing 131 University-level topics, 53 Ministry-level topics, 32 State-level topics; the University has organized: 41 domestic seminars and 82 international seminars on major issues, new issues that have profound impacts on the country, society and people, in order to provide scientific arguments and specific and practical policy advice.

Basic Science – The Foundation for Promoting Economic, Social and Cultural Development

Analyzing the role of basic sciences, the report of the representative of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM shows the profound and diverse contributions of these fields in promoting socio-economic development and preserving the country's cultural heritage. The fields of Philosophy, Literature, and History have actively participated in policy consulting and contributed to local development strategies through research and training. In addition, the fields of Information - Library, Archival Science - Office Administration, Religious Studies, and Geography have demonstrated their strengths in connecting and spreading positive values ​​to the community, promoting national digital transformation.
With specific data on research results, Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities has implemented: 321 topics at all levels, 118 project topics, 19 policy consulting, 237 training courses, 110 Clubs/Teams/Groups supporting local issues, showing the application of basic scientific research results to solving local development issues, such as the relationship between economic growth associated with environmental protection and sustainable development, economic development associated with national security and defense, protecting national sovereignty; ethnic and religious policies and cultural preservation. Representative of Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities presented a report at the Workshop
Achievements in basic science are a solid foundation for Vietnam's sustainable development and innovation. Basic science provides deep insights into nature and society, elucidates natural laws, and is the premise for developing breakthrough technologies. Important discoveries from basic science have led to revolutionary applications in industry and life. Representative of the University of Natural Sciences, VNU-HCM affirmed the role of basic science and technology in successfully implementing the national science and technology strategy.
  Representative of the University of Natural Sciences, VNU presented the report "Basic science with international integration"
 
Agreeing with the above analysis on the role of basic science, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Linh emphasized: “Basic science has a fundamental role. Without research achievements in basic science, including theoretical science, there cannot be many other branches of science and the country cannot develop.
As an advisory body to the Party on issues of political theory, Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thought and socialism, orientation and policy planning, preparation of documents for the National Party Congress, the Central Theoretical Council highly appreciates the advisory role of training and research institutions in basic sciences. Today's conference brings together the country's leading universities in the fields of natural sciences, social sciences and educational sciences. With their practical and experience in training and research in the past, they will certainly make quality contributions to the development of the Resolution and documents of the 14th National Party Congress."
Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi highly appreciated the idea of ​​organizing an annual event between leading universities training in science and technology to share research results, training experiences, and identify new goals and solutions in the context of strong digital transformation. In addition, he also expressed his hope that science and technology sectors need to focus on solving urgent problems: increasing labor productivity; aging population; taking care of the mental health of people and workers; focusing on training high-quality human resources on par with countries in the region, with full knowledge, skills, and courage to participate in the global labor market.

Orientation of training high quality human resources in basic science

One of the solutions for basic science to achieve outstanding achievements in the coming time and promote its fundamental role in the national development strategy is to train a team of high-quality human resources in the field of basic science.
Based on a specific analysis of the role and position of training teachers and basic science human resources in the socio-economic development strategy of the North Central and Central Coast regions, a delegate from the University of Education (University of Danang) emphasized: “In the trend of unusual international fluctuations, technology explosion, artificial intelligence tends to impact all areas of social life, ... many things will be disrupted and the risk of causing "shock" is high, so the education system needs to invest in research to lead society and integrate internationally. Therefore, the system of research universities and pedagogical schools needs to be invested in to train a team of leading scientists and pedagogues with regional and world stature in all fields”.
According to Prof. Dr. Vo Van Sen (Chairman of the Training and Science Council, former Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City), the strategies and orientations that training and basic scientific research schools have been implementing are correct, participating in solving practical problems, keeping up with international trends. However, to create a comprehensive strength, units need to increase the sharing of research results, promote cooperation between units, with domestic and international partners to increase resources for training and scientific research.
Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung (VNU) suggested that there should be a specific mechanism and appropriate investment in training and research at current institutions that are training in basic sciences in order to produce leading experts and valuable research. Only then can basic science properly perform its role of researching and creating new knowledge that is fundamental and leads the development of society.
Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu (former member of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Chairman of the Science and Technology Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) highly appreciated the idea of ​​a scientific forum of key universities in training and researching basic science in Vietnam. The exchanges and discussions at the workshop showed the very creative exploration of the units, bringing basic science back to very practical issues of society and localities, demonstrating the dedication and pioneering spirit of the scientists.
However, society is changing very rapidly, even with many upheavals, requiring fundamental innovation in scientific thinking and modern national governance. There are very big issues that need to be further discussed and discussed: what is the position of science and technology in the new context? How to train science and technology to maintain the science and technology industry, demonstrate national responsibility but still meet the needs of society and be applied in practice? Find out the unique and special features in training and research at science and technology schools compared to other training units.
Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh (Rector of the University of Natural Sciences, VNU) shared the current situation that students and teachers, especially those who are good at studying and teaching, are not interested in basic science majors, so many majors of the University of Natural Sciences are very difficult to recruit. In addition, to train leading experts with cutting-edge scientific works, leading in basic science, there must be appropriate investment in finance, time, and preferential policies, etc. for lecturers and students so that they can wholeheartedly devote themselves to and pursue their passion for science. Basic science training is elite training, and cannot be based on quantity just to meet enrollment targets.
Based on these common difficulties, training institutions need to gather into a common proposal document to send to the Ministry of Education and Training on a specific mechanism for training high-quality human resources in the field of science and technology.
Agreeing with the above proposal, Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Minh (Rector of the University of Education, University of Danang) further emphasized: in addition to support from the government and the state with specific mechanisms, units also need to proactively connect more closely, build unified output standards of training programs to be able to exchange students, recognize credits, make maximum use of common resources in terms of lecturers, scientists, technology platforms, digital data; connect to establish strong research groups between 6 schools to jointly carry out national-level topics.
Dr. Luu Minh Chien (Principal of Dalat University): Currently, schools training in basic science and technology are facing many difficulties and challenges, especially in the context of autonomy and constant change in science and technology. Many majors are currently very difficult to recruit students, each year only recruiting a few students, but we determine that despite the difficulties, we still have to do it, because it is our responsibility to the industry and to the country in training a team of experts.
Associate Professor, Dr. Luu Trang (Chairman of the Science and Technology Council, former Principal of the University of Education, University of Danang) also said: We, the scientists and educators who are participating in training and research in the field of basic science and technology, must actively communicate so that the Government, ministries, branches and the whole society clearly understand the value and role of basic science and technology, in order to make appropriate investments. In addition, it is also necessary to diversify resources by mobilizing the cooperation of domestic and foreign enterprises, organizations and individuals to participate in training and research.
In her closing remarks at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Lan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM) emphasized that the presentations at the workshop by the schools as well as the opinions of many experts and scientists affirmed that basic science and technology plays an extremely important role, is the foundation in the development of science, technology and education of each country, becomes a direct productive force, participates in the socio-economic and cultural development of localities.
The achievements and experiences shared from the training and scientific research practices of the units have shown a vivid picture, reflecting the aspects of basic science in training, research and community service. The reports, opinions and exchanges propose solutions to affirm the position of basic science with national responsibility, contributing to the development of world science sectors. In particular, it is emphasized that the units need to have a common voice to propose a worthy investment mechanism to attract learners, teachers and highly qualified scientists for basic science sectors.
Core schools in the network of educational institutions training in the field of science and technology also need to strengthen cooperation, share experiences, and define a common vision and action plan for the development of the country's science and technology sector. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM) summarizes the Workshop
 

Some images at the National Science Conference: Basic Science with National Responsibility

                  
>>>> Press reports
- People's Electronic Newspaper:National scientific conference on basic science with national responsibility
- Education and Times Newspaper:The fundamental role of basic science in the era of advancement
- People's Representative Newspaper:Basic science with national responsibility: Need to promote its role in the new era
- People's Television:https://nhandantv.vn/khoa-hoc-co-ban-voi-trach-nhiem-quoc-gia-n264073.htm
- VNU Media:Basic science with national responsibility: Need to promote its role in the new era
- Vietnam Education Magazine:Proposing solutions to promote the role of higher education institutions training in basic sciences