Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Hoàng Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thương

HÀ NỘI — A conference on young scientists and innovative startups took place in Hà Nội on Thursday, sharing perspectives and introducing new ideas in translating sci-tech advances into reality.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Hoàng Giang said the ministry has launched various programmes, while advising on the building and amendment of policies to help scientists unleash their creative capacities and stimulate technological demand from the business sector. It has also worked to boost enterprises’ technology absorbability through encouraging businesses to establish sci-tech development funds, sci-tech firms, and innovative startups.

The National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) has changed its operational methods to give more support for young scientists to lead research projects and participate in international conferences and workshops, the official noted.

The conference saw Lương Văn Trường, Director of the Nam Đại Dương youth cooperative in the northern province of Nam Định, talking about the cooperative’s research and invention process for its production of pre-germinated seeds, which helps farmers save costs, labour, and reduce cultivation expenses. Trịnh Thị Hoa, co-founder of the Buyo bioplastic company, meanwhile, presented insights into the firm’s research and development of a product to replace plastic from organic waste using a production process prioritising fuel recirculation.

Following the conference was a ceremony awarding winners of a scientific ideal competition, which was organised for the third time by the online newspaper vnexpress.net. Compared to the previous editions, this year’s recorded over 130 submissions spanning various fields such as medical-biochemistry, technology, agriculture, environment, and new materials.

Việt Nam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years. In 2023, the country ranked 46th out of the 132 countries/economies worldwide and 4th in Southeast Asia. It is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most significant innovation progress in the past decade. — VNS