Continue to promote the building of intellectuals

The 8th Central Conference of the 13th tenure took place from October 2 to 8, 2023. Discussing at the Conference Hall the summary of 15 years of implementing Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW dated August 6, 2008 of the 10th Central Executive Committee on building a contingent of intellectuals in the period of promoting industrialization and modernization of the country, the Party Central Committee members contributed many opinions on the results achieved so far, analyzed the current situation, as well as proposed specific solutions to continue building a contingent of intellectuals in the spirit of the Central in the coming time.

Building a team of intellectuals to meet the requirements of national development

In every era, knowledge has always been the foundation of social progress, and intellectuals are the core force in creating and disseminating knowledge. Nowadays, with the rapid development of modern scientific and technological revolution, intellectuals have become an especially important resource, creating the strength of each country in its development strategy.

Discussing at the Hall, the Party Central Committee members agreed with the draft Resolution of the Central Executive Committee on building a team of intellectuals, agreed on the importance of issuing a new Resolution, and at the same time gave their opinions on the issue of general viewpoints to build a team of intellectuals to meet the requirements of national development in the new situation, as well as in the context of globalization.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that building a team of intellectuals in the new era must be the creation of the spirit, ideology, qualities, and characteristics of a new team of intellectuals. The new team of intellectuals must inherit the intellectual spirit of the nation, with the tradition of "worrying first, enjoying later the world", the spirit of "the rise and fall of the intellectuals are responsible", dedicating themselves to shouldering responsibilities to the nation and the people, must have the spirit of developing society and the country according to the ideals of the Communist Party, and must have qualities suitable for intellectuals in the globalization era.

Also at the discussion session, the Party Central Committee members pointed out the limitations in building and developing the intellectual team. For example, the work of developing the Party among intellectuals has not met expectations. Besides, there are limitations in attracting scientists and leading experts.

According to Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University Vu Hai Quan, there are currently over 60,000 people working in the fields of science and technology, but the number of people with a PhD degree is only about 5,000. This number is very small compared to other countries in the world and is mainly distributed in large units such as National University, some key universities or Academies, in big cities. This poses a problem for localities, especially in remote areas, where it will be difficult to develop a team of intellectuals for local jobs...

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that the actual alliance of the working class, farmers and intellectuals today has certain changes in both form and content, which need to be updated. Currently, workers can also be intellectual workers, farmers can be smart farmers. The intellectual force will be the pioneer in leading the major transformation of the economy and the application of scientific and technological achievements. Re-emphasizing this relationship to promote in the coming era, it is necessary to build a team of pioneering intellectuals, paving the way. Building a team of intellectuals must synchronously carry out the revolution to transform the economic model from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, a green economy, and a circular economy.

Binh Dinh Provincial Party Secretary Ho Quoc Dung shared that when there is a Party policy, it must be promptly institutionalized for implementation in practice. When the institutionalization is not timely but the locality boldly follows the Party's resolution, it is necessary to summarize the practice to create a reporting mechanism.

Continue to promote training of leading scientists and experts

Regarding the directions for developing the intellectual team in the coming time, some Party Central Committee members mentioned specific solutions such as: Promoting decentralization, autonomy, and self-responsibility, while at the same time determining the leading role of the state in funding scientific research, especially basic scientific research; continuing to promote the training of leading scientists and experts and improving the remuneration regime.

Chairman of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Chau Van Minh said that in the intellectual team, there is a very important part for research institutions, it is decisive for success, which is the leading intellectuals or so-called leading experts, general engineers. Therefore, it is recommended that the Central Committee and the Politburo consider adding in the draft objectives section and correspondingly in the solution section to implement solutions to develop leading intellectuals, dedicated and capable experts with the capacity to create organizations to manage key tasks for industries and fields, especially those necessary for the development of the country in the new situation. In which, attention should be paid to working conditions, assigning tasks and giving them more decision-making power to reduce administrative procedures, arranging financial conditions to maintain operations, and paying attention to the honor and treatment regime.

According to Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, it is necessary to determine the viewpoint that the state must be the main source of funding for scientific and technological research. This is a type of research that has no immediate application and commercial benefits but contributes significantly to improving the country's technological potential and training high-quality human resources. Currently, the default for research is to be successful and must produce the correct product as initially registered. This causes the mentality that scientists choose research topics that are easy to achieve high efficiency rather than engaging in difficult research topics that are new and creative. Therefore, in addition to incentives in terms of income, working environment, and living conditions, it is necessary to build large enough topics of national significance.

Opinions at the discussion session also focused on building an integrated center for science, education, and culture; increasing investment in higher education, listening to practical recommendations from scientists, intellectuals, or policies on attracting talent.

Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Secretary Do Trong Hung said that, regarding the goal of building a modern integrated center for science, education and culture by 2030; he suggested adding periodic solutions, every year leaders of Party committees and authorities at all levels must listen to the aspirations of intellectuals. This is an important task that contributes to strengthening the close relationship between Party committees and authorities and intellectuals.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education Nguyen Dac Vinh expressed his opinion that university education has a certain backwardness, so investment in university education must be prioritized. Currently, the number of students studying basic sciences is decreasing while basic sciences need good students; continue to invest in and train students to study science and technology; invest resources in digital transformation, health care and biotechnology, and train teachers to develop education.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Tran Quoc To hopes to attach importance to building a mechanism to attract and motivate Vietnamese intellectuals abroad, especially outstanding talents in leading industries and fields, to return home to contribute...

After 15 years of implementation, Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW, Session X on building a contingent of intellectuals in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization of the country has achieved a number of positive and important results. However, in the context of many changes in the domestic and international context, the issuance of a new Resolution on continuing to build a contingent of intellectuals is necessary, with specific goals by 2030, vision 2045, contributing to the realization of the goal of Vietnam becoming a developed, high-income country.