In the Vietnamese side, there were Mr. Bui The Duy – Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) cum VKIST President; Mr. Nguyen Quan – Former Minister of MOST; Mr. Tran Viet Thanh – Former Vice Minister of MOST; Mr. Kum Dongwha – Former VKIST President; VKIST Leaders; all VKIST members and representatives of MOST together with enterprises, institutes and universities who are counterparts of VKIST.
In the Korean side, there were Mr. Jeong Woo Jin – Ambassador, Consulate General, Korean Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Cho Han Deog – Country Director of Korea International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam (KOICA Vietnam); Ms. Yang Eun Gyeong – Vice President of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) together with P.Is and experts of KIST.
Overview of the 5-year anniversary of VKIST
Speaking at the event, MOST Vice Minister Bui The Duy expressed his pleasure while witnessing the development of VKIST during the past 5 years with the great support of both Governments. Whereby, VKIST has developed modern infrastructure with advanced laboratories facilitating the implementation of research activities. 5-year anniversary of VKIST is even more special as 2022 also marks 30-year anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relation between Vietnam and Korea, in which science, technology and innovation are considered the vital pillar for the strategic partnership of both countries. In order to promote the role of VKIST as a symbol of close cooperative relationship between the two nations in science, technology and innovation, both Governments should continue facilitating VKIST to develop further in the future in an attempt to make VKIST become a nuclear promoting the flow of knowledge and technology from Korea to Vietnam and vice versa. On behalf of MOST Leaders, the Vice Minister showed his sincere appreciation to the Korean side, especially KOICA together with related organizations and counterparts of both countries, for supporting VKIST during the past period.
Vice Minister of MOST Bui The Duy spoke at the event
Mr. Phuong Thien Thuong - Vice President of VKIST thanked MOST leaders together with Departments under MOST, KOICA Vietnam and KIST for accompanying VKIST during the past time. Besides, he extended his appreciation to Former Minister of MOST – Mr. Nguyen Quan and Former VKIST President – Mr. Kum Dongwha as those who set the sound foundation for VKIST at the beginning stage and made great contributions to the success of VKIST today. In his speech, he also emphasized the great vision and mission that the two Governments have set for VKIST. At the same time, he shared the efforts and determination of VKIST members over the past time to achieve these goals and accomplishments as well as the difficulties VKIST had to face during the past 5 years. He also expressed his delight as seeing the development of VKIST throughout the past time. From only 5 employees in 2017, in which Mr. Thuong himself was the only senior researcher, VKIST now has 4 laboratories with more than 70 members who are excellent talents from abroad. As a latecomer in the science and technology sphere, VKIST may face even more difficulties in the upcoming journey. On behalf of VKIST members, Mr. Thuong assured that VKIST would try its best to overcome any emerging challenges and develop the Institute following the expectations of both Governments.
Vice President of VKIST Phuong Thien Thuong delivered opening speech at the event
At the event, there were several former leaders of MOST who have been greatly supporting the establishment of VKIST since the very beginning. Former MOST Minister – Mr. Nguyen Quan was pleased to congratulate VKIST on the so-far achievements. Furthermore, he hoped that VKIST would continue developing following the set directions in order to accomplish the missions assigned by both Governments. In addition, the Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea – Mr. Nguyen Vu Tung sent his warm congratulations from Korea, in which he stated that he would continue supporting VKIST to the best of his ability. Joining this special occasion, Former President of VKIST – Mr. Kum Dongwha also expressed his delight with accomplishments and confidence in the future of VKIST in his speech.
Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea – Mr. Nguyen Vu Tung congratulated VKIST 
Former President of VKIST – Mr. Kum Dongwha congratulated VKIST on the 5-year anniversary
In the Korean side, Mr. Jeong Woo Jin – Ambassador, Consulate General of the Korean Embassy in Vietnam also delivered his congratulatory speech at the event. “VKIST was established with the goal of contributing to the industrial modernization and technological competitiveness enhancement of Vietnam. The Korean Embassy will pay special attention and support to the cooperation between VKIST and Korean S&T organizations and businesses. The expansion of cooperation between the scientific communities of the two countries is increasingly important and will promote the development of science and technology of Vietnam and Korea. We expect VKIST to be a substantial and solid research and development institute of worldwide stature.”, said Mr. Jeong.
Mr. Jeong Woo Jin – Ambassador, Consulate General of the Korean Embassy in Vietnam spoke at the event
As a Sponsor of the VKIST Project, Mr. Cho Han Deog – Country Director of KOICA Vietnam expressed his satisfaction while witnessing the achievements of VKIST and affirmed the long-term support of KOICA for this project. “For KOICA, we clearly see the potential values of VKIST, the success of VKIST is also the success and pride of KOICA. I hope that we will work together, trying to make VKIST become the pride of the Vietnamese people in the same way that the Korean people are proud of KIST.", said Mr. Cho. Agreeing with the sharing of KOICA, KIST Vice President Yang Eun Gyeong also affirmed the commitment of KIST to support and accompany VKIST in the future.
Mr. Cho Han Deog – Country Director of KOICA Vietnam spoke at the event
Tại Lễ kỉ niệm, các vị khách quý đã chứng kiến Lễ ký kết Bản ghi nhớ hợp tác thúc đẩy hoạt động nghiên cứu và phát triển giữa VKIST với 02 doanh nghiệp Công ty CP Sản Xuất Dược liệu TW 28 và Công ty Cổ phần Hyundai Aluminum Vina nhằm thúc đẩy hoạt động nghiên cứu và phát triển trong các lĩnh vực công nghệ sinh học. Việc ký kết Bản ghi nhớ hợp tác này thể hiện mong muốn và cam kết hợp tác trong nghiên cứu và phát triển, công tác đào tạo nâng cao năng lực, chia sẻ cơ sở vật chất/trang thiết bị nghiên cứu…, từ đó góp phần nâng cao năng lực nghiên cứu của các bên.
At the ceremony, distinguished guests also witnessed the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between VKIST and 02 enterprises, including Plant Medicinal Products No. 28 Joint Stock Company and Hyundai Aluminum Co., Ltd. to promote research and development cooperation in the fields of biotechnology. The MoU-signing shows the desire and commitment to cooperate in research and development, capacity building training, sharing research facilities/equipment..., contributing to improving the research capacity of both parties.
MoU signing ceremony to promote research and developmeny activities
Ngay sau Lễ ký, các quý vị đại biểu và khách quý đã tham dự Lễ khánh thành Văn phòng hơp tác VKIST – KIST tại tòa nhà VKIST. Thứ trưởng Bùi Thế Duy và Tổng Lãnh sự Jeong Woo Jin cùng các đồng nghiệp đã kéo băng khánh thành biển tên Văn phòng. Với dấu mốc quan trọng này, hy vọng rằng một mối quan hệ hợp tác giữa hai đơn vị sẽ ngày càng bền chặt và mở ra một tương lai phát triển rực rỡ phía trước.
Right after the MoU Signing Ceremony, delegates and distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony of the VKIST - KIST Cooperation Office at the VKIST Headquarters. Vice Minister of MOST Bui The Duy together with Consulate General Jeong Woo Jin and other delegates have pulled the ribbon to inaugurate the nameplate of the Office. With this important milestone, it is hoped that a cooperative relationship between two institutes will become stronger and open up a brilliant future development ahead.
Opening ceremony of the VKIST - KIST Cooperation Office
Some pictures of the ceremony:
Cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of 5-year anniversary of VKIST
Delegates joined the laboratory tour at VKIST
Delegates took souvenir pictures with VKIST Leaders
