Vietnam should cooperate more with the US in science and technology to strengthen the country’s economy, an US scientist has said.

US President Barack Obama’s science envoy Dr. Rita Colwell made the suggestion at a workshop held at the University of Technical Education in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 8, to discuss joint plans between Vietnam and the US in both fields.

Colwell said the US is willing to support Vietnam through its own National Science Foundation if Vietnamese scientists take part in joint scientific and technological projects with the US .

She also stressed that it is necessary to help Vietnamese students develop their ideas as well as encourage their creativity.

When addressing the workshop, the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Le Thanh An, said that Vietnam’s universities should aim to be pioneers in the development of their country’s economy, adding that Vietnam needs more support to help meet the demands of its fast growing economy./.