61 years ago, on May 18, 1963, at the first National Congress of the Vietnam Association for Dissemination of Science and Technology (the predecessor of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations), President Ho Chi Minh attended and congratulated on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Government. On June 18, 2013, at the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly, the Law on Science and Technology was passed, unanimously choosing May 18 every year as Vietnam Science and Technology Day. In Nghe An, the Science and Technology sector has achieved important achievements, contributing greatly to the socio-economic development of the province.
Scientific and technological activities always adhere to the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and are basically linked to practice, urgent, suitable to the characteristics of the locality, serving the socio-economic development goals of the province. This is reflected in the total productivity index (TFP) contributing to the province's GRDP in the period of 2017-2022 reaching 42.1%. In particular, in the period of 2017-2020, the application efficiency of topics and projects reached 89.7%, higher than the national average (about 68%).
In recent times, research and application of science and technology continue to prioritize 6 key areas: Agriculture; social sciences and humanities; medicine and pharmacy; socio-economic development of districts, cities and towns; information technology; environment. In particular, focusing on the impact of science and technology on the value chain of products, contributing practically and successfully to the implementation of the National Target Program on new rural construction in Nghe An province.
Notably, in the agricultural sector, applied research has contributed to improving the efficiency of agricultural production, with the growth rate in the 2016-2020 period reaching 4.7%, and in the 2021-2023 period reaching 4.73%. The whole province currently has 567 OCOP products, including 529 products with 3 stars, 37 products with 4 stars and one product with 5 stars. Applying achievements in breed research to select, multiply and intensively cultivate high-yield, good-quality varieties. Science and technology focus on synchronous investment along the value chain, typically the product chain: yellow flower tea, passion fruit, japonica rice, oranges, tea, black canarium, peanuts, organic vegetables... Preserving, exploiting and developing rare genetic resources.
In the field of medical science, advanced, modern, high-tech, and specialized techniques have been applied to improve the capacity for medical examination and treatment and people's health care, contributing to making Vinh city a medical center of the North Central region with specialized hospitals and a team of highly skilled doctors.
The application of social sciences and humanities in management science has clarified a number of historical issues, while documenting and textualizing tangible and intangible cultural heritages, researching local and sectoral history, and contributing to the process of preserving and promoting cultural and historical values.
In addition, State management activities on science and technology have also achieved many remarkable results. Notably, digital transformation has been implemented, information technology has been promoted in the operations of agencies and units, and common software and specialized software have been applied in work processing, bringing high efficiency.
Intellectual property activities contribute to raising manufacturers' awareness of product quality, while protecting reputation and developing Nghe An product brands. Currently, the province has 1,933 protected subjects. The province's creative startup ecosystem has been formed and developed quite firmly, with all the elements that make up the ecosystem. The creative startup movement has developed in both breadth and depth. Nghe An is one of three provinces awarded the title "Typical locality building a startup ecosystem in 2022".
The field of scientific and technological cooperation is focused on gaining intellectual support, aiming to quickly and effectively deploy the application of scientific and technological achievements. Through cooperation, the endogenous capacity of science and technology is increasingly supplemented and developed.
District and sectoral science and technology activities have also been focused on development, such as research and development of new plants and breeds; exploitation and development of local specialty gene sources; focusing on developing traditional craft villages associated with introducing and promoting tourism, landscapes and environment; applying scientific and technological advances, building and protecting brands and geographical indications for key products; promoting the formation of production linkages according to value chains to improve product quality and value.
In addition to the achievements, science and technology still have some limitations: The role of state management of science and technology at all levels and sectors has not been renewed in time compared to the requirements of the market economy and international integration. Investment resources for science and technology development have not met the requirements, only reaching about 0.34%/regulation of 2%. Technological innovation in enterprises is still weak. The connection between the results of science and technology activities and economic career resources is not concentrated.
Science and technology activities of sectors and districts are not up to par. The team of science and technology staff is not strong, lacking good experts in some key economic sectors of the province. There have not been issued strong enough policies to develop the science and technology market, start-ups and innovation.
Resolution of the 19th Nghe An Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, Resolution 39-NQ-TW dated July 18, 2023 of the Politburo on Nghe An development, identifies Nghe An as the center of the North Central region in terms of science and technology. With that orientation, in order for science and technology to become the driving force for socio-economic development, in the coming time, the Science and Technology sector of Nghe An province will focus on advising the Provincial Party Executive Committee to issue a Resolution on science and technology development and innovation to 2030, building Nghe An into the center of the North Central region in terms of science and technology, focusing on the application and transfer of scientific and technological achievements and high technology.
At the same time, the research industry builds the North Central Region Innovation and Startup Center. Restructure the scientific and technological organization system in accordance with the national science and technology development strategy and the province's key science and technology fields. At the same time, increase resources for science, technology and innovation in both finance and human resources; socialize investment in science and technology. Along with that, promote international cooperation in the field of science and technology.
Continue to innovate state management of science and technology to meet the new context, perfect mechanisms and policies on science and technology and innovation. Develop the science and technology market, technological innovation and innovative startups. In addition, Party committees and authorities at all levels also need to identify research, application of science and technology and innovation as one of the key political tasks to integrate science and technology into the local socio-economic development strategy.
To realize the above goal, in the coming time, there needs to be synchronous coordination between agencies, enterprises and the scientific community in determining science and technology development strategies suitable for each industry and field; investing resources in research and application of science and technology; creating a favorable environment for creativity and innovation; and raising awareness and responsibility of the whole society about the role of science and technology in sustainable development.
Proud of the maturity of the Science and Technology sector and its worthy contribution to the country's common revolutionary cause, the Science and Technology sector of Nghe An province continues to promote its fine traditions, unite to overcome all difficulties and challenges, and promote the role of a driving force for rapid and sustainable development of science and technology in the socio-economic development of the province.