Science, Technology and Innovation Driving Force for Socioeconomic Development

9:19:46 PM | 4/5/2022

“To make science, technology and innovation a direct productive force, a driving force to improve labor productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, and promote socioeconomic development, not only science and technology sector but also the entire political system, enterprises and society will need to join hands in researching and developing science, technology and digital transformation,” said Mr. Tran Tung Chuan, Director of Hung Yen Department of Science and Technology.

Creating momentum for development

In 2021, the Department advised the Provincial People's Council and the Provincial People's Committee to issue six legal documents and nine administrative documents in science and technology. These important documents were aimed at improving effectiveness and efficiency of State administration of science and technology, encouraging and facilitating organizations, individuals and enterprises to research, develop and transfer science and technology, apply science and technology advances to production and business, improve corporate competitiveness, and promote entrepreneurship and innovation.

In addition to advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue management documents on science and technology, in order to concretize Party guidelines, resolutions and regulations and State policies and laws, the Department of Information and Communications actively developed and promulgated 38 plans, three action programs and many documents to implement tasks assigned by the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee.

Accordingly, science and technology research continued to develop insightfully in line with approved regulations and local reality. The department consulted the Provincial People's Committee to issue Decision 562/QD-UBND dated February 9, 2021 approving Hung Yen Science and Technology Plan in 2021. From the approved plan, the agency carried out 40 science and technology tasks; supported districts, towns, cities, associations and mass organizations to build 13 models of applying science and technology advances to production and life. Science and technology topics, projects, application models and tasks were closely based on the province's socioeconomic development program. A number of research topics and projects provided scientific arguments for sustainable socioeconomic development, making an important contribution to improving economic growth quality, performance and competitiveness.

Science and technology outcomes were applied to production and social life, importantly helping achieve clear progress in productivity, quality and efficiency in industrial, agricultural and aquacultural production, tourism and services in the province, especially raising incomes and improving living standards for workers.

Effective application in practice

In 2021, science and technology research, application and transfer resulted in many new plant and livestock species of high quality, disease-free and improved properties, Chuan added. Some new farming techniques (aeroponics, tissue culture, hydroponics, drip irrigation, barcode application for traceability, preliminary processing and post-harvest preservation technology, etc.) have gradually replaced old production methods. New technological research and development (manufacturing organic fertilizers from post-harvest waste of longan and lychee; studying and manufacturing switching devices for solar panels) were also conducted.

In State administration of science, technology and the related market, the Department of Information and Communications checked the progress of all 40 science and technology tasks; summarized, evaluated and accepted 21 provincial science and technology tasks; two science and technology tasks under the Rural and Mountainous Program managed by the Central Government. These tasks were highly appreciated by the Acceptance Council, initially making specific contributions to promoting formation of production cooperation along value chains, improving quality, value, performance and competitiveness of many key industries of the province. The department also granted a certificate of science and technology registration (branched in Hung Yen province) to one science and technology organization; collected opinions on technology for 120 investment projects in various fields; and proposed the Provincial People's Committee not to accept projects using outdated technology, potentially causing environmental pollution.

For intellectual property (IP), radiation safety, science and technology information, statistics and innovation, the department supported establishing IP rights for six key products of the province; helped two organizations to make and trade Long Thuong-branded and Cam Dong Thanh-branded bronze products; consulted, instructed and assisted organizations and individuals to register industrial property rights. Therefore, 284 trademarks, four industrial designs and three utility solutions were granted to local enterprises by the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP) in 2021. The department regularly propagated and disseminated IP knowledge on mass media; advised the Provincial Initiative Council to recognize 11 province-level initiatives; build and broadcast two reportages on innovative startups and IP development on Hung Yen Radio and Television Station; appraised and granted 15 licenses on usage of medical diagnostic X-ray equipment, eight certificates of radiation workers; published four issues of Science and Technology Newsletter with 2,800 copies; issued 21 certificates of science and technology achievements; supported and maintained operation of Hung Yen Technology and Equipment Exchange where more than 2,000 products of 260 enterprises were traded.

In 2021, the department proposed, and was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, scientific and technological advance application projects managed by the central government, started to be launched in Hung Yen province from 2022: (1) Building models of farming monogamous perch, using Biofloc technology, and culturing commercial black carp; (2) building a cordyceps mushroom seeding, cultivation and processing model; (3) building a model of softshell turtle breeding and commercial production; (4) Building a model of lotus seeding and production along the value chain associated with tourism development to upgrade Pho Hien lotus brand of Hung Yen province; (5) researching legal provisions on protection of geographical indications and supporting registration of geographical indication protection in China for Hung Yen longan; (6) managing and developing Hung Yen geographical indication for longan products in association with quality control and growing area code for export.

Standards, metrology and quality achieved many positive results, helping improve productivity and quality of products and services made and supplied by enterprises. At the same time, the department protected legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and interests and health of consumers. In 2021, the department transformed and constructed a new quality management system according to TCVN ISO 9001: 2015 and applied it at 94 governmental agencies. It planned to apply it in 100% administrative agencies from provincial to communal levels.

Furthermore, the department implemented guiding documents of central authorities and of Hung Yen province in supporting and removing difficulties for local organizations and individuals affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. It minimized probes into companies and medical facilities in 2021; and maintained inspection of measurement and quality of essential commodities in the market.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology continued to support organizations, individuals and businesses to improve their competitiveness with such programs and plans as Hung Yen intellectual property development program for 2021 - 2025 and to 2030; Hung Yen innovation startup ecosystem support project in 2021 - 2025; metrological improvement and reform support project for Vietnamese enterprises in Hung Yen province to improve their competitiveness and international integration to 2025 and further to 2030; national program for organization and enterprise support to improve productivity and product quality in 2021 - 2030; and Hung Yen science and technology market development program to 2030.

With the ongoing effort of the Department of Science and Technology in fostering scientific and technological research and application, technology development and digital transformation, innovations in local organizations and enterprises enabled implementation and completion of science and technology plans in 2021 and in 2021-2025 and bolstered socioeconomic development of Hung Yen province. That is also the practical work of the Department of Science and Technology to implement synchronously and effectively Directive 12/CT-CTUBND dated September 23, 2021 of Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee on improving the business investment environment and enhancing Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) of Hung Yen province.

By Vietnam Business Forum