This is a strategic step in the process of promoting comprehensive and long-term cooperation in funding science, technology and innovation research between the two countries to build a solid science and technology foundation, closely linked to the goal of sustainable development; Affirming the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Delegates take souvenir photos.
NAFOSTED - FOSTED: Strategic partners on the journey to elevate science, technology and innovation research
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy emphasized that over the past time, the cooperation in science, technology and innovation between Vietnam and Laos has had many positive results. In particular, in the context that both countries are promoting the restructuring of the science and technology system towards synchronization, flexibility and modernity, Vietnam has also integrated the fields of science, technology and innovation management, digital transformation, telecommunications and postal services... into one focal point, the Ministry of Science and Technology. Along with that is the effective operation of two funding funds: NAFOSTED - the sole executive agency of national science and technology tasks, undertaking both basic research, applied research and production; The National Technology Innovation Fund (NATIF) focuses on supporting technology transfer and innovation in enterprises. This is a major orientation of Vietnam to shorten the gap between research and production, while affirming the role of science and technology in socio-economic development.
The Deputy Minister added that the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, recently passed by the Vietnamese National Assembly , has created an open legal corridor, encouraging autonomy in research activities and promoting fair competition. On that basis, NAFOSTED is promoting comprehensive digital transformation, building a modern, transparent and effective funding management system, and is ready to share all models, experiences and support tools with FOSTED, especially in digital transformation, building an online task management system, training IT human resources and improving fund management capacity.
The Deputy Minister affirmed that cooperation between NAFOSTED and FOSTED does not stop at basic research funding programs, but needs to expand to supporting businesses, promoting innovation and technology transfer, and applying research results into practice.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy delivered the opening speech at the Ceremony.
Vietnam - Laos Cooperation: From Fund Operation Support to Co-Development of Artificial Intelligence Technology
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Samlane Phankhavong, Deputy Minister ofEducation and Sports of Laos, Vice President of FOSTED Fund expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and NAFOSTED for their continuous support and companionship over the past time. He highly appreciated the effectiveness of the cooperation programs, especially the support for building a legal corridor, sharing fund operation models, and training to improve science and technology management capacity.
Mr. Samlane Phankhavong proposed a number of specific contents to improve the effectiveness of cooperation between the two sides, including: The Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology continues to support the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports in state management of science and technology; NAFOSTED continues to increase experience sharing and provide specific instructions so that FOSTED can effectively organize the implementation of legal documents related to research funding mechanisms; the two sides maintain a regular exchange mechanism on fund management experience, as well as the selection process and funding of research tasks suitable to the conditions of Laos...
Mr. Samlane Phankhavong, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports of Laos, Vice President of FOSTED Foundation spoke at the Ceremony.
Expressing agreement with Mr. Samlane Phankhavong's proposal, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy also suggested strategic cooperation between the two countries - developing automatic translation software between Vietnamese and Lao, capable of concealed voices and converting them into text. This is considered a practical artificial intelligence (AI) project, not only contributing to eliminate language barriers in research and training but also helping Laos master native voice recognition technology. At the same time, the two Funds were assigned to coordinate with two National Universities of the two countries to implement the project.
Deputy Minister Bui The Duy expressed his belief that with its strengths in information technology and applied research, Hanoi National University can take on the role of technical development; the Lao side will support the provision of data and voice recordings of Lao people to operate the system. If the project is successful, this will be a typical cooperation product highly appreciated by senior leaders of the two countries, making a practical contribution to the science, technology and innovation ecosystem of both Vietnam and Laos.
Accompanying the construction of online sponsorship system, in-depth training
Introducing an overview of the Fund's activities, Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh, Deputy Director of NAFOSTED, said that the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in 2017. In the period of 2020-2023, NAFOSTED will carry out tasks according to the Protocol, supporting FOSTED in building a legal corridor to manage S&T funding activities in Laos; including: a system of circulars, regulations on expert management, scientific councils, budgeting and finance. FOSTED has proactively received and processed an average of about 200 funding applications per year, supporting 37-38 small and medium-sized projects/year, with a budget of about 500 million kip/project. This is a remarkable development, showing that FOSTED's implementation capacity is gradually being improved, towards a professional, methodical and sustainable operating model.
In the next phase, NAFOSTED and FOSTED will continue to promote cooperation in many aspects: Scientific research and innovation; Continue to support Laos in building an online management system for support funding programs, training to improve capacity for Lao Fund staff; Cooperate in the field of standards, measurement and conformity assessment, meeting the needs and capabilities of both sides; Implement established cooperation activities in the field of intellectual property, especially training to improve capacity for Lao agencies and staff; Promote the development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes.
Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh, Deputy Director of NAFOSTED spoke at the Ceremony.
Ms. Keophayvanh Douangsavanh, Chief of Office of Lao National Institute of Science, Head of FOSTED Secretariat, Member of FOSTED Management Board, gave an overview of FOSTED's organizational structure, functions and operations, the current cooperation situation and proposed future cooperation directions. formation, FOSTED is a national fund with the task of funding basic research topics and improving research capacity in the field of science, technology and innovation. In parallel with research funding, the Fund also supports units in developing science and technology strategy documents; organizing scientific activities to raise awareness among young people and promote participation in conferences, seminars, and training courses on science and technology, etc.
Ms. Keophayvanh Douangsavanh highly appreciated the effectiveness of cooperation between FOSTED and NAFOSTED over the past time, especially in sharing management experiences, building legal corridors and organizing the operation of the Fund. She expected that in the coming time, the two sides will continue to closely coordinate in implementing documents, operating S&T tasks and gradually moving towards operating an online funding management system - similar to the model currently successfully applied in Vietnam.
Within the framework of the Ceremony, delegates focused on exchanging and discussed cooperation on developing FOSTED's OMS database system; training and exchanging lessons and information to improve FOSTED's capacity; and joint cooperation between NAFOSTED and FOSTED on bilateral scientific research in the coming time.
At the ceremony, the two sides signed and exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in funding science, technological and innovative research . The two sides agreed on the following cooperation contents: Cooperation in training, improving the capacity of research staff, scientific management; Cooperation in building and implementing funding and support programs of the Science and Technology Development Fund.
Delegates signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in funding research in science, technology and innovation.
The minutes establish five main forms of cooperation: Support the development of an online S&T task management system for FOSTED (Lao/English); The two sides exchange staff and experts on a rotational basis once a year; Organize meetings, exchanges, and evaluate cooperation results between the two Funds on a rotational basis once a year; Organize conferences, seminars, and training courses to improve scientific management capacity; Deploy joint research tasks.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between NAFOSTED and FOSTED is not only a testament to the strong cooperative relationship between the two agencies, but also demonstrates the common determination of Vietnam and Laos in taking science, technology and innovation as a driving force for national development, contributing to enhancing scientific potential and regional integration effectively and sustainably.
Deputy Minister Bui The Duy and Deputy Minister Samlane Phankhavong presented souvenirs.
Source: https://mst.gov.vn/viet-nam-lao-thuc-day-hop-tac-nghien-cuu-khcndmst-huong-toi-he-sinh-thai-khcn-ben-vung-va-so-hoa-toan-dien-197250704230601814.htm
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