The Mekong Delta region provides 95 per cent of rice for export and 60 per cent of fisheries for export. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Local experts said developing a high-quality labour force in the science and technology (S&T) field is among the crucial tasks for the Mekong Delta region to become more developed.

Localities in the region need policies to encourage short-term consulting and working contracts with local and foreign experts and scientists and develop policies to attract competent scientists and experts in S&T, said Nguyễn Thành Nhân, a lecturer of Cần Thơ University.

They should also invest in enhancing research capacity for S&T organisations, including the Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Application of S&T Advancement and Centre for Aquatic Breed Research, which will be crucial in coordinating with others in implementing scientific and research activities and projects. He said this would help boost the effectiveness of research activities and attract talent for the region.

Human resources in science and technology have contributed to making the region Việt Nam’s biggest producer of rice, fisheries and fruits; 95 per cent of exported rice and 60 per cent of exported fisheries come from this region.

The Resolution of the 13th Party Congress highlighted the need to develop human resources in leadership and management roles in key fields.

In the S&T field, it is important to promote research, application and transfer of biotechnology and provide a high-quality seed system and technical services for processing and exporting key industrial products of the region.

It must also focus on research and application of high technology to increase the value of agricultural products, improving organic, sustainable, environmentally friendly farming techniques, and adapting to extreme floods and salinity.

Human resources are an important factor in the context of climate change.

A teacher and students of Phan Văn Trị High School join a session of its science and technology club. VNA/VNS Photo

One of the tasks in the region’s master plan for the 2021-2030 period is to develop a high-quality labour force with skills to meet market requirements. By 2030, it aims to have the rate of trained labourers reaching 65 per cent. Among them, those with degrees and certificates will account for 25 per cent. The rate of labourers in services and construction-industry sectors will reach 75-80 per cent.

Chairman of Cần Thơ City People's Committee Trần Việt Trường said that the city identified science, technology and innovation as the key driving forces for socio-economic development.

It has focused on implementing several solutions, such as mechanisms and policies on attracting talent, improving the quality of human resources, and creating favourable conditions and environments for scientific and technological staff.

The city also mobilises funds and cooperates with other localities in research and human resources development.

According to the country’s General Statistics Office, by the end of 2021, the population of 12 provinces and a city in the region reached more than 17.4 million, equivalent to 17.7 per cent of the country’s population.

In 2021, nearly 54 per cent of the region's population was aged 15 and above, totalling 9.4 million people.

Among them, the rate of trained workers over 15 years old was 14.6 per cent, and the rate of those working in science and technology fields who have bachelor’s degrees was 5 per cent.

According to research by a group of local scholars, though the Mekong Delta region boosted a high labour rate, S&T human resources here haven’t met the need of local science and technology development – one of the important promoting factors for the region’s socio-economic development.

The study said that the Mekong Delta is one of the potential regions for science and technology (S&T) development in Vietnam, especially in agricultural production and export aquatic products processing. VNS