The National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies held a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on November 13 to seek to further Vietnam’s science and technology integration into ASEAN.

Dr. Bach Tan Sinh from the institute, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said Vietnam is facing an array of policy-relating challenges that hamper its science-technology innovation and integration.

An overlapping research institution system and underdeveloped infrastructure have also limited research quality, he noted, adding that relevant aspects like data, consultation, and evaluation systems, technology transfer and intellectual property have been developed incomprehensively.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s Department of International Cooperation said a number of Vietnamese experts are still weak in foreign language as well as in publishing research findings on international professional magazines.

Participants said to speed up the integration, Vietnam should focus on preparing quality human resources, creating a favourable cooperation environment, facilitating international integration of science and technology organisations and businesses, and adapting its science and technology policies to international standards.

In its project on international science-technology integration until 2020, Vietnam plans to focus on such areas as innovation, high-technology, research areas that direct application and support industries, and boost study activities at universities.-VNA