HCM City praised for use of technology

HCM City's progress in converting science and technology into practical applications was hailed at a meeting held on Sunday to review science and technology activities last year.

The relationship between science, production, and daily life had received a remarkable boost, director of the HCM City Department of Science and Technology (HDST), Phan Minh Tan, said.

The launch of a science-technology co-operation programme by HCM City and 14 southern provinces created an efficient triangle between the Government, businesses, and scientists, he said.

The city also set up international technology links: US giant IBM consults for to traffic, e-government, and product commercialisation, while Finland, Germany, Japan, and South Korea assist with energy efficiency and renewable energy.

These resulted in 310 research and other projects of which more than 100 are complete. Of the completed ones, 26 per cent have practical application.

Most of the projects were related to pressing social issues like traffic, healthcare, education, environment, waste treatment, technology, and renewable energy.

Technology deployment was a major focus for the Department last year.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh singled out the HDST as one of the leading contributors to the City's socio-economic development last year.

Thanh promised the Department all support with scientific research and practical use of resultant technologies.

Support from authorities enabled co-operation in applied sciences and technology between the government and the corporate sector which funds 70 per cent of research.

This boosted research and enabled replace of imports with domestic products.

Shortcomings

Tan also pointed out shortcomings in science research and deployment of technologies.

The influence science and technology had on production and business was not commensurate with its potential and its application had not met enterprises' needs, he said.

He called for closer co-operation between scientists, authorities, and enterprises and more specific measures to promote science-technology.

He urged the He urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to improve the research facilities and research mechanism, minimising red tape.

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