Outstanding intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014: Who to comment on, who to comment on... who?!

(Baonghean) - Just send a profile confirmed by "yourself" and support the "program" with 22 million VND, and you will almost certainly be nominated by the program organizer to be honored as "Outstanding Vietnamese Intellectual Face on the Economic and Social Front in 2014", the program is scheduled to take place on April 21, 2015 at Hung Temple (Phu Tho).

On March 16, 2015, the leader of a unit in Nghe An province received a document on "Voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014" sent by the Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology. The document stated "Serving the activities of summarizing the implementation of the Resolution of the 7th Central Committee (10th term) on building a team of young Vietnamese intellectuals, practically arousing patriotism, national pride and sense of responsibility of Vietnamese intellectuals towards the country in the new development stage for the goal of "Rich people, strong country, democratic, fair and civilized society". The Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology organized the implementation of the Program "Voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014".

Image honoring "Typical intellectual faces on the socio-economic front in 2013" (Photo: Internet)

The purpose and significance of the Program “Voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014” is also clearly stated in this document: “The program is organized to promptly honor outstanding intellectuals across the country who have achieved outstanding achievements in emulation movements in labor, production, application of research results, scientific and technological advances, management methods, production and business administration, etc. At the same time, this is also a practical activity to discover, commend and reward Vietnamese intellectuals with outstanding achievements in leading units in all fields on the socio-economic front to overcome difficulties during the global economic crisis and bring businesses into the process of international integration”.

After stating the purpose and meaning of the program in a grand and practical manner, this document also nominated the recipient of this document to the List of voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals in 2014!

Attached to this nomination letter is a sample of the personal resume and a Media Support Contract, with Party A representing the honored individual, Party B being The Big One Vietnam Investment, Development and Communications Joint Stock Company. “Party A is the media support unit for the Program “Voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014” with a support level of: 22,000,000 VND (Twenty-two million VND). Media support recipient: The Big One Vietnam Investment, Development and Communications Joint Stock Company - is the coordinating organization, media representative and exclusive marketing unit for the Organizing Committee, receiving and ensuring the rights of the media support unit. Implement the terms of the media support contract”.

To be sure, the program "Voting for outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014" also sent an email to the unit whose leader was voted with information, pictures, website address, and phone number to contact the voting program so that "in the process of reviewing and completing the application, if there are any problems, we will support them".

Official dispatch from the Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology sent to the nominated individual.

Through the phone number on the website, we contacted a representative of the organizing committee named Dung. When asked about the basis for the individuals selected for honor by the program, he answered evasively that it was through organizations, but did not specify which organizations. When asked whether the records and personal resumes sent to the organizing committee needed confirmation from the governing bodies or local authorities, we were told that only confirmation from the unit (the person nominated for honor is the head of this unit - PV) was needed! When we asked if this was correct, we were told that all records sent to the organizing committee were done the same way. When asked about the amount of money in the contract, this person also said: Most units with honored people support with the same amount of money (22 million VND), and if there is any change, it must be reported back to the organizing committee for "balancing". When asked about the criteria for honoring, in addition to the profile, resume as mentioned and the media support contract, is there anything else needed and is it certain that the honor will be given? This person said: Only units that have "violated" something, otherwise most are fine.

Website of the Association of Young Vietnamese Scientists and Technologists.

During our research, we learned that in the list of 221 people who were “honored” in 2013, all were directors, general directors, and chairmen of “successful” companies and leaders of provincial departments and branches… they were all “account holders” and had “seals” to confirm their own resumes. Looking at this “honored” list, we see that it is not in accordance with the program’s regulations, which are “intellectuals, scientists, managers, researchers, businessmen - investors, farmers, civil servants - public employees,… with outstanding achievements in scientific and technological research activities, technology application, application of advanced production and business management methods; bold and creative in investment, production development; in new industries and fields,… serving the socio-economic development of the country and truly representing the spirit of Vietnamese intellectuals today”.

With the ease and lack of transparency in the preparation of documents as well as the so-called "media support contract", is the Program "Voting for typical Vietnamese intellectuals on the socio-economic front in 2014" really "Prestige - Fairness - Accuracy and Science"?!, is it true to the meaning and purpose that the Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology has set out in the official dispatches sent to individuals nominated by this organization, and what is posted on the website http://www.trithuctre.com.vn(?) or has the Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology "sold" this program to The Big One Vietnam Investment, Development and Communication Joint Stock Company to organize and operate?! And with the "tricks" mentioned above, there may be individuals and organizations taking advantage of the name of the Vietnam Association of Young Intellectuals of Science and Technology to defraud and profit. To clarify this matter, the involvement of authorities is needed.

Duc Dung - Nhat Minh