Scientific Conference on Planning for the Establishment of the National Research Center for Ocean Technology

In December 9, 2023, in Nha Trang, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) coordinated with Khanh Hoa Department of Science and Technology to organize the first scientific conference on Planning for the Establishment of the National Research Center for Technology.

Ocean is considered a complex and constantly changing system. Research on the ocean and ocean technology requires a specific, clear research roadmap and effective management. In the recent year, developing ocean technology research centers has become one of the top priorities for countries, especially those with long coastlines and potential economic development like Vietnam.

Pursuant to Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 of the Eighth Conference of the 12th Central Party Committee on the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy until 2030, with a vision to 2045 indicates that the establishment of a national research center on ocean technology is extremely necessary and urgent. Pursuant to Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW dated January 28, 2022 of the Politburo on building and developing Khanh Hoa province to 2030, vision to 2045, the government’s decision to choose Khanh Hoa Province as the place to locate the national center for ocean technology (according to Resolution No. 42/NQ-CP, dated March 21, 2022 of the Government and the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Notice No. 97/TB-VPCP, dated April 5, 2022) is completely reasonable because Khanh Hoa Province has the largest marine economic zone in the country as an important position in security and defense besides being one of the leading provinces in developing marine tourism in the country.

In that spirit, according to the proposal of the Party Committee of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee in Official Dispatch No. 162-CV/BCS, dated May 20, 2022 and Decision No. 497/QD-UBND dated March 7, 2023, the People's Committee Khanh Hoa Province has agreed to directly order University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City to carry out the conference on "Planning for the Establishment of the National Research Center on Ocean Technology" on December 9, 2023, which was part of the project implementation process.

Overview of the conference

Attending the conference were Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; Le Huu Hoang - Standing Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi - Member of the Central Council of the Vietnam Science and Technology Association, Member of the National Assembly Science, Technology and Environment Committee; with researchers, specialists, representatives, and leaders of institutes, schools, departments, agencies, and localities.

On behalf of UEH, there were: Prof.Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Party Committee Secretary, Chairman of the University Council; Prof.Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - University Director; Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Deputy Director of the University; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Deputy Director of the University; Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the Strategic and Policy Advisory Council; Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Director of the Institute of Smart Cities and Management (ISCM), and UEH lecturers.

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Tan Tuan - Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee – stated: "The establishment of the National Research Center for Ocean Technology is a task set out in Resolution No. 09, dated January 28, 2022 of the Politburo on building and developing Khanh Hoa province to 2030, with a vision to 2045. This is an opportunity for the Province to sustainably develop the marine economy. With specific mechanisms and new policies reaching the world's level in applied research, technology transfer, and innovation to achieve the goal of marine economic development; with specific and satisfactory mechanisms for components and subjects in research activities, and transferring effectively applications, utilization, and promotion of local strengths, etc., the project raises many important issues, which need a process of research, synthesis, and learning from experiences from domestic and world models. On behalf of Khanh Hoa Province, we do appraciate the research team from University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City for devoting a lot of enthusiasm to this project."

Comrade Nguyen Tan Tuan - Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee

“The establishment of the national research center on ocean technology is one of the key activities in many countries around the world. After serious work, the research team of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) including domestic and international experts has made a preliminary sketch of the Center's model and organizational structure. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) wishes to listen and record comments related to research content from Departments, Agencies, Sectors, Local Authorities and experts. Thereby, the research team will synthesize and complete the draft project to establish the National Research Center for Ocean Technology according to the implementation roadmap. On behalf of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), I would like to sincerely thank the Leaders of Khanh Hoa Province for openly approaching advanced activities in the world and facilitating the research team of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City to carry out this meaningful project." - Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of UEH University Council shared.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong giving the speech at the Conference

At the conference, delegates focused on analyzing, evaluating, and providing theoretical, political, legal, and practical bases for domestic and international experiences in ocean technology research, contributing and sharing opinions on determining vision, mission, and core values, research fields and main development pillars, financial mechanism, co-creation platform and model diagram, and the organizational structure of the National Research Center for Ocean Technology. Thereby, it helps UEH's research team synthesize, absorb and complete the draft project to meet quality standards, ensuring progress for submission to the Prime Minister in April 2024.

Delegates sharing and contributing ideas at the conference

With the responsibility of a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is always ready to accompany the development of localities for a sustainable future./.