Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Awards 2021 Ceremony

On the evening of October 27, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union held the Closing Ceremony and presented the Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award 2021; celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technical Innovation VIFOTEC.

Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended the ceremony.

At the ceremony, in a solemn atmosphere, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue awarded the First Class Labor Medal to the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technical Innovation VIFOTEC and to the Permanent Vice President of VIFOTEC, Dr. Le Xuan Thao.

The National Assembly Chairman awarded the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to 5 authors who are the principal authors and co-principals of the 2 First Prize-winning projects.

The Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award 2021 has 4 First Prizes in four fields awarded, including: "Research, design and manufacture of explosive defusing equipment for handling mobile bombs, mines and explosives" by Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. To Duc Tho - Department of Military Science - Ministry of National Defense and colleagues; "Application of concrete funnel technology (Top-Base) in reinforcing weak soil in Vietnam" by Engineer Pham Thanh Cong and colleagues - GFS Group; "Research on selection and development of PH8 tea variety for high yield and good quality, contributing to improving tea production efficiency for localities across the country" by Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong and colleagues - Northern Mountainous Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute, Phu Tho province; Project "Technology, products, technical solutions, construction measures for the embankment to protect the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake" by author Dr. Hoang Duc Thao, Vietnam Science and Technology Joint Stock Company, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Notably, the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2021 reviewed and awarded the Gold Medal certificate to 2 projects: "Technology, products, technical solutions, construction measures for the embankment to protect the Hoan Kiem lake" by Dr. Hoang Duc Thao, Vietnam Science and Technology Joint Stock Company, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and the project: "Application of concrete funnel technology (Top-Base) in reinforcing weak ground in Vietnam" by Engineer Pham Thanh Cong and associates of GFS Group.

Thus, in 2021, 45 VIFOTEC award-winning works were awarded at the ceremony, including: 4 First prizes, 8 Second prizes, 14 Third prizes and 19 Encouragement prizes. A number of units and individuals were also awarded for their outstanding achievements in promoting, disseminating and organizing the Award.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Phan Xuan Dung, Secretary of the Party Committee, President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, President of the VIFOTEC Fund, said that the VIFOTEC Fund was established in 1992 by the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and 6 founding agencies, including the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations. Many of the Presidents over the years have been very famous scientists who have made many contributions to the cause of science and the development of the country and have also been Presidents of the Fund, so over the past 30 years, since its establishment, the VIFOTEC Fund has been assigned to be the standing agency, successfully organizing 27 times the Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award.

Thousands of award-winning projects have been researched, applied and deployed in the fields of socio-economics and national security and defense, making increasingly important contributions to the country's innovation, creating a great resonance, contributing to encouraging the emulation movement of scientific and technological research and innovation throughout the country. The award has gradually affirmed its prestige in the field of scientific and technological innovation in the country and has been highly appreciated by international friends.

Awards associated with achievements of scientific and technological products

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the National Assembly Chairman sent his warmest sentiments and best wishes to the delegates, scientists, creators, inventors; leaders, cadres and staff of the VIFOTEC Fund through the periods. The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that the role of science, technology and innovation has been affirmed in the documents of the 13th National Party Congress and is reflected throughout the goals of the National Action Plan, is a key tool in implementing sustainable development goals; plays an important role in economic growth, solving challenges in all areas of economic and social life.

Implementing the Party's innovation policy, the State's policy, and the teaching of beloved President Ho Chi Minh: "Initiatives and experiences are the common treasures of the whole nation, we must strive to make them more abundant and spread forever", exactly 30 years ago, with the consent of the Prime Minister, the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technical Innovation (VIFOTEC) was established, with General Vo Nguyen Giap as Honorary Chairman.

Since its inception, VIFOTEC Fund has contributed to gathering, motivating and supporting many scientists nationwide to promote their creative talents in developing the country's science, contributing to the construction and development of the country.

Over the past 30 years, through the successful organization of 27 Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Awards, 17 Vietnam Technical Innovation Contests, 17 National Youth and Children's Creativity Contests; organizing annual international seminars and exhibitions, VIFOTEC has become a brand for scientists nationwide.

The activities of VIFOTEC Fund are the “midwife” for scientists to successfully and effectively apply thousands of initiatives and inventions to production and life, saving thousands of billions of VND, especially making scientific and technological innovation become a positive movement and nurturing scientific talents in research institutes, universities, enterprises, people and teenagers and children nationwide. Many scientific research topics have been awarded and honored domestically and internationally.

With its achievements, VIFOTEC Fund has been awarded many noble awards and titles by the Party and State such as: Third-class Independence Medal in 2008, Second-class in 2013; Second-class Labor Medal in 2002, First-class in 2005 and many other noble titles.

On this meaningful 30th anniversary, the Fund was honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the National Assembly Chairman warmly commended and congratulated the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technical Innovation VIFOTEC and scientists nationwide.

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that in order to strive to achieve the goal of turning our country into a developed, socialist-oriented country by the mid-21st century as set out in the 13th National Congress Document, our Party has identified and promoted endogenous strength and methods of national development in the new context; in which, scientific and technological knowledge and innovation are particularly important driving forces.

To further stimulate the passion for research, creativity, and promote the development of science and technology in the country, the National Assembly Chairman suggested focusing on improving the quality and prestige of Awards, Competitions, and Competitions; continuing to focus on projects and solutions in the fields of science and technology with high applicability; some interdisciplinary fields between natural sciences and engineering and technology; fields: mechanical automation, materials technology, information technology, electronics and telecommunications, biology serving production and life, improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods; technology to respond to climate change, protect the environment, technology to rationally use resources, save energy, use new energy, etc. Thereby, so that science and technology truly become a direct productive force; at the same time, Awards, Competitions, and Competitions are truly associated with the achievements, results, and results of science and technology products.

The National Assembly Chairman stated that developing science and technology is the cause of the entire Party and the entire people; in which, the contingent of cadres and party members must take the lead, setting a shining example of "dare to think, dare to do, dare to break through" for the common cause; the contingent of intellectuals and businessmen plays a core role in labor and innovation; promoting the role of the subject and the great creativity of the people. Therefore, it is necessary for localities nationwide to join hands in developing science and technology. Localities need to set out policies to encourage talents through organizing Awards, Competitions, and Contests with the VIFOTEC Fund as the standing agency; thereby, discovering talented individuals to nurture, valuable topics and solutions to deploy and apply in real life; linking with the start-up and innovation movement, contributing to the development of science and technology in the locality and contributing to the general movement of the whole country.

In order for the Fund to continue to have many worthy rewards for scientists, researchers, creators, and inventors, according to the National Assembly Chairman, there needs to be a more suitable mechanism, especially financial, for the Fund; at the same time, it is recommended that the Fund coordinate with relevant ministries, branches, agencies, and organizations to perfect the financial mechanism, build preferential policies for creative talents, and support and nurture talents so that the movement can achieve scientific and technological achievements of national and international stature.

At the same time, VIFOTEC Fund needs to build a synchronous and professional communication system to promote the whole society to understand and participate in activities honoring intellectuals; disseminate award-winning works to bring them into life as quickly as possible; support creators to promote their products abroad, and cooperate in science and technology with countries with developed science and technology. The organization recognizes and honors the contributions of scientists and inventors who have made great contributions to the socio-economic development of the country in the process of international economic integration.

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that the proud tradition of 30 years of construction and development will be a source of motivation to add strength for the VIFOTEC Fund to operate and develop in accordance with the 8 golden words that General Vo Nguyen Giap gave the Fund: "Science - Impartiality - Integrity - Efficiency". The VIFOTEC Fund will continue to lay the foundation for the passion for scientific and technological research among all classes of people, arousing the passion for creativity in the young generation across the country, helping them become future owners and inventors, making important contributions to building a prosperous and developed country.

* To continue promoting the emulation movement of scientific and technological research and innovation among the team of scientific and technical staff, with the desire to constantly improve the quality of the award, socialize scientific and technological activities on the basis of inheriting and promoting the success of the VIFOTEC Award in 2021 and previous years, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat launched the Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award 2022, focusing on six key areas, including: Automation mechanical technology; Materials technology; Information technology - Telecommunications electronics; Biotechnology serving production and life; Technology to respond to climate change, protect the environment and rationally use resources; Energy-saving technology and use of new energy.

According to VNA