Ca Mau (VNA) - The Department of Science and Technology of the southernmost province of Ca Mau, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST)’s Vietnam Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (VISTI) organised a conference on October 16 to discuss solutions to improve the Provincial Innovation Index (PII).
As the first event of this kind, the conference saw the participation of crowds of experts, who focused their discussion on measures to promote the socioeconomic development of Ca Mau in 2024 and in the coming years.
Participants presented reports and provided an overview of the PII, including the processes for data collection, verification, data processing, results publication, and the dissemination of PII framework.
They analysed the results of the PII of Ca Mau in 2023, and proposed plans to improve the index in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ca Mau scored 30.52 points in the PII, ranking 50th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide and 12th out of 13 localities in the Mekong Delta region.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nghia, VISTI Deputy Director, emphasised that the results provide a scientific basis for the province to evaluate the overall model of socioeconomic development based on its scientific, technological, and innovative resources.
From the perspective of a scientific researcher, Nghia said that the PII provides a realistic and multi-dimensional picture, highlighting the strengths, weaknesses, potential factors, and necessary conditions for socioeconomic development of each locality based on science, technology, and innovation.
A low score in a specific component index does not indicate weakness, it may simply reflect a normal characteristic of the locality, Nghia said, noting that direct comparisons between localities are only relative and not the primary purpose of the index, as each locality has different development orientations.
Dr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen, Deputy Director of the Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies (NISTPASS) of the VISTI, gave in-depth analysis of innovation and local-level innovation index. He also emphasised the importance of the innovation input index group, including institutions, human resources and research, infrastructure, and the development level of markets and enterprises; and the innovation output index group of knowledge and technology products and innovative products.
He noted that if a locality effectively positions itself and implements solutions in accordance with each level of innovation, it will make improvements in overall ranking results.
Ca Mau still faces limitations in investment, research, application, and transfer of technological advancements, and innovation, Xuyen said, saying that the locality needs to take more decisive actions and solutions to better the PII, viewing it as a tool for state management and governance.
Phan Tan Thanh, Director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology, said the conference offered a chance to strengthen connections between managers, researchers, and organisations supporting enterprises in assessing the current situation and potential to build appropriate socioeconomic policies. The event is a change to contribute to improving Ca Mau’s scores and rankings in the PII. He hopes that experts will continue to provide support to help the southernmost locality quickly improve its PII in the time to come
Science, technology, and innovation are considered key to building a circular and green economic model, and promoting sustainable socioeconomic development in Ca Mau. Therefore, the provincial Department of Science and Technology has advised the provincial People's Committee to issue Plan No. 174/QD-UBND for improving the PII in 2024, outlining specific solutions to the work. /.
