Expectations of scientific and technological breakthroughs: [Part 4] Unleashing financial mechanisms

Lack of risk taking, reduced research motivation

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Nha, Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute III, acknowledged that scientific research work in recent times has encountered a number of barriers and shortcomings.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Nha. Photo: Architect.

Related Posts

Expecting breakthroughs in science and technology: [Part 3] Avoiding 'new regulations, old problems'

Firstly, lack of risk acceptance in research. Scientific research topics have long required certain results, according to pre-approved explanations, leading to rigidity and non-acceptance of risks in research. Therefore, when accepting and evaluating implementation results, they must comply with pre-approved outline explanations, which can easily lead to scientists violating the contract and being responsible for compensation, even when changing to a new approach (different from the original explanation) to create similar results, or even easier to apply. This limits creativity and experimentation of new ideas during the implementation process. Sometimes, those experiments and new innovations can become important research results.

Second, limitations in the financial mechanism: The allocation of research funding is often complicated and procedural. Funding is allocated according to the annual plan, lacking flexibility to adjust according to actual progress. Funding sources depend on the state budget, not really attracting funding and counterpart funds. Payment and settlement procedures are complicated and time-consuming. Payment by invoice and vouchers is sometimes not suitable for the characteristics of applied research activities.

In addition, the salary and income of those who create scientific products are not commensurate with the effort and intelligence put in. The process of valuing intellectual property from scientific research results has many problems, causing difficulties in transferring and commercializing research results... These limitations reduce the motivation and effectiveness of scientific research.

Scientists from the Research Institute for Aquaculture III conduct research in the field of aquaculture. Photo: KS.

Related Posts

Expecting breakthroughs in science and technology: [Part 2] When scientists have to lie

Third, intellectual property rights are unclear: The management and use of scientific research results still have many shortcomings, reflected in the lack of clear distinction of ownership rights between the state, organizations and individual researchers. The mechanism for transferring, exploiting and sharing intellectual property benefits is not reasonable, scientists often do not benefit adequately from research results... so there is a lack of motivation for innovation. These shortcomings reduce the effectiveness of scientific and technological research, limit the ability to commercialize and widely apply the created scientific and technological products.

In addition, other shortcomings also contribute to hindering the development of scientific research and innovation in aquaculture, especially in the Central and Central Highlands regions, such as: Lack of connection between research and production practices; limitations in research infrastructure and testing conditions; lack of human resources in high-tech application fields such as IoT, AI, blockchain in aquaculture; lack of policies to support innovative startups and finally, the lack of a data ecosystem in aquaculture.

With those barriers and shortcomings, especially the limitation of creativity and testing of new ideas in the research implementation process, it has reduced the motivation and effectiveness of scientific research, limited the ability to commercialize and widely apply the created science and technology products. It is necessary to untie the policy and mechanism to promote the application of high technology and innovation.

Unleash financial mechanisms, create creative motivation

Related Posts

Expectations for scientific and technological breakthroughs: [Part 1] Please do not force scientists to 'give birth prematurely' to topics

New policies and mechanisms under Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Resolution 193/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 of the National Assembly will untie the financial mechanism in scientific research. The Resolution allows funding for scientific research and technology development under the fund mechanism, helping autonomy in allocating and using funds. Transparency in funding; encouraging diverse funding sources, reducing administrative procedures and increasing initiative for scientists; enhancing accountability and evaluating results. Thereby creating motivation for creativity and reducing the burden of administrative procedures for scientists, which is an important step to promote scientific research towards quality, practical application and international integration. Specifically:

Resolution 193/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly will untie the financial mechanism for the field of scientific research. Photo: KS.

- Accepting risks in research: The Resolution acknowledges and accepts risks in scientific research and technology development, recognizing the uniqueness of scientific research, helping to reduce the pressure of absolute success for scientists. Encourage experimentation and innovation. Have policies to protect scientists when topics and projects do not achieve the desired results. The mechanism for evaluating research results is flexible, not mechanical, and does not rely solely on commercial success.

Thus, this Resolution helps to build an open research environment that encourages creativity, experimentation and risk-taking rather than focusing only on certain results. This will help to untie and enable the development of breakthrough technologies in the future.

- Clear intellectual property rights: The Resolution stipulates the rights to ownership, management and use of scientific research and technological development results, assets and equipment to perform scientific and technological tasks, creating favorable conditions for commercialization and application of research results.

In addition, the Resolution can also open up preferential tax and credit policies for businesses, cooperatives and individuals participating in research. Allow a research ordering mechanism, in which businesses and localities can directly order research institutes, shortening the process from research to practical application, creating a favorable environment for research. Develop an innovation ecosystem through supporting institutes, research centers, and technology incubators to test and perfect technologies before commercialization, forming a network connecting scientists - businesses - farmers, helping research not only remain on paper but actually be applied to production.

Promote digital transformation in research and production, through the construction of a digital database. Support institutes and enterprises in researching the application of AI, IoT, blockchain in monitoring the water environment, tracing product origins, optimizing supply chains, developing digital mapping systems, helping to avoid overlap or overexploitation of water resources. Promote international cooperation in research and technology transfer through creating a more flexible mechanism for inviting international experts, receiving funding to improve research quality...

Promoting the responsibility of scientists

To promote new policies, scientists must actively participate in research programs. Proactively propose and participate in science and technology research topics and projects, taking advantage of flexible financial mechanisms to implement new ideas. Strengthen cooperation with domestic and foreign businesses and organizations to share experiences, resources and expand the scope of application of research results. Focus on training and improving the qualifications of research staff, especially in the fields of digital transformation and new technologies.

The Research Institute for Aquaculture III is supporting localities to promote marine aquaculture development. Photo: KS .

Regarding the research work of the Aquaculture Research Institute III, in addition to innovation, streamlining the organization, efficiency and investment in infrastructure facilities serving science and technology, in the coming time, the Institute will focus on research in key areas with high application potential, suitable for the practical needs of the region. Expand research on important farming objects, focusing on groups of objects serving the national marine farming strategy (sea fish, shrimp, seaweed, mollusks). In addition, the Institute also develops a number of farming objects in the provinces of the Central Highlands (cold water fish).

At the same time, apply digital technology, apply new technology, strengthen environmental protection, prevent diseases in aquaculture. Deploy research on topics and projects of digital transformation in management and research, apply information technology to improve efficiency and quality of work.

Focus on researching, applying and developing sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture models, ensuring sustainable development and protecting the ecosystem. Expanding cooperation with international research organizations, participating in cooperation projects to improve qualifications and expand the scope of research. Supporting people, businesses and localities to apply scientific advances in production; researching, cooperating in technology transfer, bringing scientific and technological products into life.

Phuong Chi - Kim So (recorded).