National scientific conference: "The role of intermediaries in Vietnam Science and Technology industry in the foreground of Fourth Industrial Revolution"

The attendees included Assoc. Luu Bich Ngoc - Chief Office of National Council for Education and Human Development, Ministry of Education and Training, Assoc. Nguyen Thanh Ha - member of the Council of National Economics University, Assoc. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairman of UEH Advisory Council and Director of UEH Institute of Innovation, Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Head of Human Resources, Deputy Director of Institute of Innovation, Dr. Tran Mai Dong - Head of Scientific Management and International Cooperation Department, Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao - Deputy Head of Science Management and International Cooperation Department, together with other scientists who implemented the topics, representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, leaders of universities, science and technology organizations, professional associations and lecturers at UEH affiliated units.

In the first session, the attendees discussed the role, type identification, evaluation criterias and development forms of intermediaries in Vietnam science and technology market. This helped researchers, policy makers grasp seminar content and practical information related to Science and Technology intermediary organizations. Thus, they could make policy recommendations on evaluation, management and development such organizations in accordance with market needs and developing enterprises to that end.

Delivering the opening speech, Assoc. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet stated: “Vietnam science and technology market is very potential. However, to transform research ideas to reality, to commercialize science and technology products is a real challenge. There are barriers such as legal, mechanism, barriers between supply and demand as well as issues in analyzing and evaluating market risks. In fact, statistics from Vietnam and all over the world have shown that the more science and technology market develops, the stronger economy grows. Intelligence of mankind and scientific research results are utilized for economic development. This conference is very meaningful in the current context, which is a channel to connect universities and businesses, listen to scientists, experts and business managers and come up with ideas solving problems and developing science and technology intermediaries.

Dr. Pham Ngoc Hieu, Director of Center for Technology Simulation and Product Development, Ministry of Science and Technology opened the seminar with the speech: "Increasing the value of technology transactions in science and technology market". Put technology transaction value to the center, this paper proposed some solutions for technology transaction value increase in line with digital transformation trends.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dao Thi Thanh Lam - National Economics University reported: “Evaluation criteria of Vietnam scientific and technology intermediary organizations capacity and performance”. This report is based on some initial survey results of national science and technology topics: “Research and propose policy solutions to support the development of intermediaries in Vietnam science and technology market”.

Guests raised their ideas and opinions during panel discussion part under the moderator of Assoc. Prof. Vu Minh Duc, Dr. Pham Ngoc Hieu and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dao Thi Thanh Lam.

Practical management experiences of intermediaries in science and technology market was also shared at the seminar. The case study was Center for the incubation of High-Tech Agricultural Enterprises (guest speaker: Ms. Le Thi Be Ba - Deputy Director) and Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (guest speaker: Mr. Nguyen Chanh Phuong, Vice President and General Secretary of the Association).

The industrial revolution 4.0 has created new knowledge, scientific and technological products and economic models. This has a significant impact on enterprises’ operation orientation, applied research institutions, and curriculum at universities. The second session: "New economic model of science and technology market in the context of Fourth Industrial Revolution" is a space to discuss new development trends.

MSc. Pham Thanh Thuy Vy - Lecturer at Faculty of International Business - Marketing, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City presented the report: "Business model innovation in the context of Industry 4.0". This report has clarified the transformation and innovation of business models in the context of Industry 4.0. Researchers and businesses need to propose timely solutions adapting to the technology changing pressures that is happening.

The presentation also opened up a discussion among researchers, enterprises, science and technology organizations about solutions to link State, School and Enterprises. This way, we can deliver new scientific and technological knowledge as well as products to meet the needs of universities (research perspectives) and enterprises (practical perspectives). Under the moderator of MSc. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - Director of UII Arboretum, Dr. Do Thi Hai Ninh - Director of UII Training & International Cooperation and MSc. Pham Thanh Thuy Vy, the panel discussion took place excitingly.

At the seminar remark, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet expressed sincere gratitude towards the experts, scientific researchers for their valuable time. Their opinions are useful contributions in connecting intermediaries with science and technology market to meet supply and demand on industry 4.0.