Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat presented a farewell gift to Dr. Kum Dongwha
Recently, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat and leaders of Departments under Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) bade farewell to Dr. Kum Dongwha before the end of his tenure. At the meeting, the Minister acknowledged the contributions and dedication of Dr. Kum Dongwha into the overall development of VKIST during the past 5 years. It can be said that Dr. Kum was the one who laid the first bricks in the process of establishing VKIST - a symbol of the good relationship between Vietnam and Korea.
During nearly 5 years under the leadership of Dr. Kum Dongwha, VKIST has set up the laboratories in prioritized areas and completed developing the internal regulations for its operation. Furthermore, VKIST also recruited a number of experienced P.Is for leadership positions in laboratories and excellent researchers who had lots of experience working abroad. VKIST also achieved some outstanding R&D accomplishments through implementing projects at all levels (including National level, MOST-level and VKIST-level) as well as joint research activities with KIST. Additionally, VKIST has conducted several projects in policy study, market survey, etc. to serve as a basis for determining the Institute's development strategy…
On behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat sent his best wishes to Dr. Kum Dongwha and hoped that Dr. Kum would continue supporting VKIST by boosting the connection with the Korean side and facilitating the joint research activities with KIST as well as other Korean S&T organizations and enterprises. The Minister also asked Dr. Kum to continue consulting and sharing his valuable experiences with not only the VKIST Leaders and young members of VKIST.
Overview of the meeting
In response, Dr. Kum Dongwha expressed his sincere appreciation to MOST Leaders and Directors of Departments under MOST for supporting him during 5 years of his tenure in Vietnam.
“When I was assigned as the President of VKIST, I understood that my responsibility was to benchmark the KIST model and simultaneously develop VKIST as an advanced applied research institute following the global standards. In the process of establishing VKIST, I always focused on developing a research- friendly environment, enabling scientists to focus only on research activities without worrying about the paperwork or doing the 2nd or 3rd job for supporting their family. With the effort of all VKIST staff, VKIST has successfully laid the sound basis for its new model following the development orientation. However, being a new organization, VKIST still needs lots of support and attention from MOST as well as other Ministries and organizations” said Dr. Kum.
As the first President of VKIST, Dr. Kum Dongwha shared his greatest expectation that VKIST would be developed in the right direction following the set objectives and the VKIST model could be successful in Vietnam. On that basis, other public organizations would benchmark the VKIST model and renovate themselves, contributing to the transformation of the national innovation system of Vietnam.
MOST Leaders took farewell picture with Dr. Kum Dongwha
