Workshop on "Role of Science, Technology & Innovation activities in economic growth in Vinh Long Province in the context of the 4.0 Revolution"

Following the success of the first scientific conference held on May 20th, 2022, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized the 2nd Scientific Conference with the theme "The role of science, technology and innovation activities in economic growth in Vinh Long Province in the context of the 4.0 Revolution" at Vinh Long Campus (VLC). The conference is within the framework of the provincial scientific research project "Evaluating the impact of science, technology, and innovation in the economy of Vinh Long Province".

Overview of the conference

Attending the workshop, in terms of UEH, were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the University Council; Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH; MSc. Nguyen Thi Thi Lieu - Standing Deputy Director of VLC; Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao - Deputy Head of the Department of Research Management - International Relations.

In terms of the invited guests, there were: Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoanh - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Le Duc Hoanh - Deputy Director of Department of Statistics of Vinh Long province; together with representatives of leaders of Departments, Boards and Branches of Vinh Long Province, experts, researchers, and lecturers of colleges and universities within the province.

Stating at the opening of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - President of the University Council - shared: "This seminar was organized with the goal of studying the lessons from the development of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) of some countries sharing special characteristics with Vietnam, analyzing the conditions and environment of Vinh Long province in order to develop science, technology, and innovation in collaboration with creative startups, towards promoting economic growth of the province. In the process of organizing the seminar, the Organizing Committee received diverse comments and more than 15 presentations from teachers, experts of the Provincial People's Committee, Department of Science and Technology, Intellectuals Association, University of Technology and Education, Union of Science and Technology Associations of Vinh Long Province, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and UEH Vinh Long Campus. The Organizing Committee sincerely thanks the comments of the delegates and the author of the articles. The results of the workshop are important documents and grounds to help the Project Management Board to absorb and complete the remaining problems, thereby proposing solutions to develop science, technology, and innovation in Vinh province in particular and the Mekong Delta in general".

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council - delivering the opening speech of the seminar

Opening the presentation, Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao - Deputy Head of the Department of Research Management and International Relations, representative of the research team - presented the research findings of "Evaluating the impact of science, technology, and innovation on key economic sectors of Vinh Long Province", which focused on issues such as Origins of economic growth, the role of science, technology and innovation in economic growth in Vinh Long; Survey results and analysis of the impact of science, technology and innovation on key economic sectors of Vinh Long Province in the period of 2015-2021 (enterprises, scientists, and individuals benefiting from the results of science, technology, and innovation).

Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao - Deputy Head of the Department of Research Management - International Corporations - delivering her presentation

Following the program, the speakers respectively presented the following presentations: MSc. Le Duy Dong - Vinh Long Campus, authorized by People’s Teacher - Dr. Dang Huynh Mai presented the topic "Solutions for science, technology, and innovation development to promote economic growth in Vinh Long Province"; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Huy - Head of the Department of Public Accountancy at UEH presented the topic "Applying intelligent public-sector scorecards to responsible research and innovation to enhance the global integration capacity of economic organizations in the digital era”; MSc. Truong Thi Hoang Oanh - Deputy Dean at School of Management of VLC, authorized by Dr. Le Minh Chi - Head of Economic Affairs Department, Office of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee presented the topic "Science, technology, and innovation for the economy of Vinh Long Province".

MSc. Le Duy Dong presenting his topic

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pham Quang Huy - Head of UEH Department of Public Accounting -presenting his topic

MSc. Truong Thi Hoang Oanh - Vice Dean at the School of Management of VLC -presenting his topic

The workshop received many opinions and discussions from the participants. Mr. Le Duc Hoanh - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Statistical Department - shared: "Hopefully, the topic can be put into practice in the near future, emphasizing the analysis of the role of science, technology, and innovation in each economic sector of Vinh Long Province (agriculture, forestry, and fishery, construction industry and services), contributing to the economic growth of the Province.”

Ms. Pham Thi Hanh - Deputy Head of the Scientific Management Department, Vinh Long Department of Science and Technology - highly appreciated the efforts of the research team in carrying out the project on schedule and organizing professional seminars with many meaningful essays. In addition, she contributed important ideas to the research team to complete the final report. Mr. Tran Hoang Tuy - Director of the Center for Innovation and Community Connection - contributed ideas related to the role of science and technology (S&T) in the context of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) in Vinh Long Province with solutions and tasks to be done in the near future.

Mr. Le Duc Hoanh - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Statistical Department - sharing

Ms. Pham Thi Hanh - Deputy Head of Science Management Office, Vinh Long Department of Science and Technology - contributing her ideas

Mr. Tran Hoang Tuy - Director of the Center for Creativity and Community Connection

Stating the closing of the seminar, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong assigned the research team to continue in-depth research to form solutions and propose policies so as to develop the mechanism of STI activities toward improving the state management of STI that meets the orientation of Vinh Long province and the Central Government in promoting science, technology and innovation activities; at the same time, attracting and effectively using all resources to invest in STI, promotes S&T development with budget and non-budgetary sources (contributions of organizations and enterprises, attraction of foreign investment in high science and technology level). In addition, he emphasized the role of research institutes and universities in developing transformation and new training programs and disciplines in science and technology; effectively developing and exploiting infrastructure serving science, technology, and innovation. Regarding investment in science and technology development in production units and manufacturers, he believed that enterprises need to invest in a science and technology development budget, to have a dedicated R&D department to create motivation for researching and building programs that develop science and technology for their enterprises. Simultaneously, Vinh Long Province needs to develop research institutes and scientific and technological organizations in the Province appropriately.