On March 22, the headquarters of the Vietnam-Korea Science and Technology Institute (V-KIST) will be ground-breaking in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (Hanoi) in the presence of the two leaders. The Institute is expected to become a provider of technology and solutions for businesses to dominate the Vietnamese market.
V-KIST is the result of negotiations by the Vietnamese Prime Minister with the Korean President during an official visit in March 2012. In May 2015, the Government issued a decree to set up the V-KIST Institute, operating under the model of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). This is Korea's largest non-refundable aid project for Vietnam.
The reason Vietnam chose KIST as a model
KIST was established in 1966 by the Korean Government and currently is the cradle for developing science and technology in this country. The institute is well known for custom-made research and most of its products are applied at Korea's leading industrial groups. According to Korean statistics, the research of KIST Institute contributes nearly 30% of the added value of industrial products of this country.
KIST Institute in Korea. Photo: Kist.re.kr
To achieve this success, KIST was promulgated special laws by the National Assembly to not be bound by other laws, including the state budget. At that time, KIST was sponsored by the president. He made many important decisions, including a salary for scientists that is three times higher than the salary of professors in the country, including accepting salaries for scientists in the institute higher than the president's salary. Thanks to that, Institute attracted a team of good scientists to work.
According to former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan, there are 4 reasons for Vietnam to choose KIST as a model rather than another famous research institute in the world. Firstly, KIST is in the top 10 leading research institutes in the world, many Nobel laureates in technology often come to speak or lecture.
Second, Korea and Vietnam have many similarities. They built KIST institute right after the Korean War about 10 years, then Korea was also poor and had many difficulties like Vietnam. They have successfully built the KIST Institute from zero.
Third, the model, mechanism of operation of KIST Institute is still Western-style, and this helps Vietnam to learn a lot of other experiences. Fourth, the Korean Government strongly supported this project and Korea could provide ODA to Vietnam.
What does Vietnam prepare for V-KIST?
After 5 years of preparing the legal corridor, the Institute's management regulations have been basically completed, including: setting up a council, appointing the president, promulgating the organization and operation regulations and promulgating regulations. finance and initially set up the organizational structure of the institute to go into operation.
Based on the opinions of the ministries and agencies, the Ministry of Science and Technology has signed a contract to hire Dr. Kum Dongwha to assume the position of director for 5 years, from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2022. He used to be the President of KIST Institute for the period 2006-2008. The Institute has autonomy and self-determination.
V-KIST model at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park. Photo: KOICA.
Regarding the financial regulation, the former drafted a proposal for a superior salary for V-KIST staff in accordance with international practices, but encountered many comments from related ministries. Therefore, the Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed that Korea support the income of V-KIST officials in addition to the salary from the Vietnamese budget as prescribed. Korea side agreed.
Specifically, V-KIST's employees will receive a salary that is 2 times higher than usual from the state budget and regardless of nationality, and will also receive additional benefits from the Korean Government.
When V-KIST has not yet fully consolidated its operation, the Ministry of Science temporarily assigns the investor to Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board and allows the establishment of a construction project management unit. Up to now, the Project Management Board has completed the necessary administrative and personnel procedures to officially put into operation.
Two priority V-KIST fields
In order for V-KIST to adapt to the socio-economic conditions of Vietnam and decide specific areas to focus in the future, Vietnam and Korea have studied industrial surveys, contacted with many businesses. Vietnam's businesses and some related agencies. The study team consisted of 8 Korean experts and 8 Vietnamese experts from October 2016.
Through the survey, V-KIST decided to choose information technology and biotechnology as two key branches to develop in the future. Explaining this, Director Kum Donghwa said that these two fields play an important role, a strong driving force for the economic development of Vietnam and in the future.
Dr. Kum Donghwa stated that in the field of biotechnology, the Institute will focus on post-harvest preservation technology and improve the value of Vietnamese herbs.
On the occasion of the official visit to Korea in March 2012, the Prime Minister asked Korea to assist Vietnam in implementing the establishment of V-KIST under the KIST model. On July 29, 2013, the Prime Minister signed a decision approving the list of projects on "Cooperation to build the Vietnam-Korea Science and Technology Institute" in Vietnam funded by the Korean Government and assigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Studies and Technology are the project's governing body.
On September 9, 2013, the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea signed an agreement on Korean support for 35 million USD to establish V-KIST in the Hòa Lạc High-Tech Park. In August 2014, the Korean side completed the pre-feasibility study report and the overall plan for the project.
On October 24, 2014, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea International Cooperation Agency signed a discussion minutes on the V-KIST Establishment project. On May 18, 2015, the Government issued a decree on the establishment of V-KIST Institute.
On April 10, 2017, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued a decision approving V-KIST Director's election results. On May 11, 2017, the Ministry decided to promulgate the Regulation on organization and operation of V-KIST.
