2022 Completion Workshop on the Project for the Establishment of VKIST

Attending the ceremony, on the Vietnamese side, there were Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat, MOST Minister, Mr. Bui The Duy – MOST Deputy Minister concurrently President of VKIST; members of VKIST Institute Council; representatives of Departments under MOST, businesses, institutes/universities that are partners of VKIST as well as the leaders and all VKIST staff.

On the Korean side, there were Ms. Oh Young-Ju, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam; Mr. Cho Han Deog, Country Director of KOICA Vietnam; Ms. Yang Eun Geong, Vice President of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and staff of the Korean Embassy to Vietnam, KOICA Vietnam and KIST.

Overview of the Workshop

Speaking at the ceremony, MOST Minister Huynh Thanh Dat assessed that the VKIST project is the result of the good partnership between the two Governments of Vietnam and Korea in the fields of science, technology and innovation. Therefore, the Government of Vietnam in general and MOST in particular have always paid special attention to the VKIST project during the past time. The Minister also expected that the success of VKIST model would create a driving force to promote the transformation of the national innovation system and contribute to the breakthrough of Vietnam's science and technology. At the same time, Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat appreciated the Korean side's active contributions to not only the VKIST project but also the Vietnam's science and technology during the past time.

Theo Bộ trưởng Huỳnh Thành Đạt, quan hệ hợp tác giữa hai nước đã chính thức bước sang một trang mới khi được nâng cấp lên thành "Đối tác chiến lược toàn diện", trong đó xác định một trong những trụ cột chính là đẩy mạnh hợp tác trong lĩnh vực KH&CN và đổi mới sáng tạo; hy vọng hai bên sẽ tiếp tục phối hợp và hỗ trợ Viện VKIST hơn nữa trong việc xúc tiến các giai đoạn tiếp theo của Dự án. Đây sẽ là tiền đề vững chắc cho sự thành công của mô hình Viện VKIST. "Bộ KH&CN cam kết sẽ song hành, hỗ trợ Viện VKIST phát triển bền vững, đúng với định hướng mà hai Chính phủ kỳ vọng", Bộ trưởng nhấn mạnh.

According to MOST Minister Huynh Thanh Dat, the cooperation relationship between the two countries has officially turned to a new era when it was upgraded to "comprehensive strategic partnership", which identified one of the main pillars as promoting cooperation in the field of science and technology and innovation. He hoped that the two sides would continue to coordinate and support VKIST further in the promotion of the next phases. This would be a solid premise for the success of the VKIST model. "The Ministry of Science and Technology is committed to go hand in hand with VKIST throughout its sustainable development, in line with the orientation that the two Governments expect", emphasized the Minister.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat, MOST Minister, spoke at the Workshop

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bui The Duy, MOST Deputy Minister concurrently VKIST President, expressed his delight at the results achieved by the Phase 1 of the VKIST Project. “I hope that today's event will be an opportunity for the two sides to summarize and evaluate a past journey, thereby drawing valuable lessons for the road ahead”, shared Mr. Duy. On behalf of VKIST Leaders and staff, he expressed his deep appreciation for the MOST Leaders and Departments under MOST as well as the Korean side, including the Korean Embassy to Vietnam, KOICA and KIST, for their dedication and support for the success of the VKIST Project together with the development of VKIST during the past time. He also thanked Dr. Kum Dongwha, Founding President of VKIST, who devoted himself to building and leading VKIST during its first 5-year journey to achieve such remarkable results as today.

Mr. Bui The Duy, MOST Deputy Minister concurrently VKIST President, spoke at the Workshop

On behalf of the Korean side, Ms. Oh Young-Ju, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam said: “The establishment of VKIST aims at the industrial modernization and technological competitiveness enhancement for Vietnam. The VKIST project is the first ODA project achieving the environmental friendliness certification during the past 30 years. Therefore, we are committed to supporting VKIST not only with building construction, but also with implementing joint research actiivties so that VKIST can develop sustainably in line with the orientation that the two Governments expect. Despite the awaiting challenges, I believe that we can expect the further development of VKIST in the future and even the miracles VKIST can create for the science, technology and innovation of Vietnam like what KIST did in the revival of Korea's science and technology in the past".

Ms. Oh Young-Ju, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, spoke at the Workshop

As the co-host of the VKIST Project, Mr. Cho Han Deog – Country Director of KOICA Vietnam expressed his delight at the initial achievements of VKIST, and affirmed KOICA's long-term support for this Project. He affirmed that KOICA would always accompany VKIST as a reliable partner and continue to support VKIST to grow and develop as a symbol of friendship and a bridge for scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam - Korea.

Mr. Cho Han Deog – Country Director of KOICA Vietnam spoke at the Workshop

Attending the ceremony, there were also former leaders of MOST, who laid a sound basis for the VKIST project and accompanied VKIST during its establishment and development right from the beginning. At the ceremony, MOST Former Minister Nguyen Quan congratulated VKIST on the remarkable achievements. Besides, he gave valuable comments on the VKIST’s development plan with the desire to help VKIST develop in the right direction to fulfill the mission set by the two Governments.

Mr. Nguyen Quan, MOST Former Minister, spoke at the Workshop

Within the framework of the VKIST Project Completion Workshop, the two sides also held a gratitude ceremony to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the VKIST Project. One of those individuals is Dr. Kum Dongwha, the Founding President of VKIST, who has formed a sound foundation for the establishment and development of VKIST as a symbol of the good relationship between Vietnam and Korea in the field of science and technology.

Dr. Kum Dongwha, Founding President of VKIST (on the left side)

VKIST cannot do this great work without the invaluable contributions of Institute Council. During the first term, the VKIST Institute Council has made great contributions to defining right research strategies, consolidating operational regulations and apparatus, etc. for VKIST rigth from the beginning. Until now, the Institute Council has successfully completed the assigned tasks and ended its first operational term. At the Workshop, the two sides solemnly held a gratitude ceremony for the Institute Council Term I, then introduced the members of Institute Council Term II.

Gratitude Ceremony for the VKIST Institute Council Term I

Introduction of the VKIST Institute Council Term II

At the Workshop, the distinguished guests also witnessed the handover signing ceremony of the seawater desalination equipment from KIST to VKIST. This resulted from the joint research project in the energy and environmental technology field implemented by VKIST and KIST in Ben Tre province.

Ms. Yang Eun Geong, Vice President of KIST and Mr. Vu Duc Loi, Vice President of VKIST signed the minutes of handing over the seawater desalination equipment from KIST to VKIST.

Right after the Handover Signing Ceremony, Leaders of KIST and VKIST also presented a report on the implementation process and outstanding achievements of the VKIST Project as well as activity report and plan of VKIST respectively.

Ms. Seo Mi Young, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Vietnam, reported on the implementation of the construction component of the VKIST Project

Ms. Yang Eun Geong, Vice President of KIST reported on the implementation process and outstanding achievements of the VKIST Project

Mr. Vu Duc Loi – Vice President of VKIST reported briefly on the operational results and the implementation plan of VKIST in the coming time

Mr. Phuong Thien Thuong - Vice President of VKIST briefly reported on outstanding research achievements and future research plans

The VKIST project Completion Workshop was held successfully. The two sides believed that Completion Workshop did not put an end to but pave the way for a new journey with new challenges and opportunities awaiting. On that journey, VKIST would continue to receive the support and companionship of the Government, ministries, branches and functional agencies of both sides so that VKIST can leverage not only its position but also the position of the national science and technology in the regional and international arena.