Vietnam Must Shift from Research to Mastering Maritime Technology
Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan emphasized that Vietnam must not only conduct research in the maritime sector but also master technology, drawing attention to bottlenecks in human resources, infrastructure, and the management model.
Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan stated that science and technology must not only support the marine economy but also serve as the foundation for the integrated management of the national maritime space. To enhance its capacity in marine sciences, Vietnam is required to overcome three fundamental bottlenecks in human resources, infrastructure, and management models, and to fully master technology.
Strategic Objectives in the Marine Economy
Science and technology are required not only to support individual sectors of the marine economy but also to serve as the foundation for the integrated and unified management of the national maritime space.
Strategic steps are expected to be taken to develop a green, modern, and sustainable marine economy, protect the environment, and safeguard national defense.
The Issue of Human Resources and Training
Human resources top the list of three bottlenecks that need to be addressed to enhance marine research capacity.
It is stated that if the pool of future scientists remains limited, Vietnam will struggle to develop a sufficiently strong national maritime strategy.
Infrastructure and Laboratory Deficiencies
The second bottleneck consists of laboratories, equipment, and the research infrastructure system.
It is observed that many equipment pieces in leading institutions like the Institute of Oceanography, which has a history of over a century, were procured a long time ago and some facilities are worn out.
Management Model and Project Failures
The third issue stems from shortcomings in the organization and management model of scientific and technological tasks.
It is emphasized that, as in the case of the lobster farming project in Nha Trang, large problems cannot be expected to be solved in a short time with limited budgets and infrastructure.
Making Maritime Data a Strategic Infrastructure
By 2030, the goal is to develop strong, focused, and pioneering marine research capabilities.
It is stated that modern maritime management must rely on data and scientific evidence, and the establishment of a unified and secure data system is mandatory.
Technology Mastery and Cooperation
Vietnam needs to focus its resources on maritime, oceanic, and dual-use technologies of strategic importance.
Businesses are required to actively participate in all stages of processes for research results to be implemented in practice.