Opening the way for scientists to engage

In addition to the exemption from civil liability for causing damage in scientific research that has just been approved by the National Assembly in the Resolution on piloting a number of mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in scientific, technological, innovation and national digital transformation activities (Resolution), the issue of continuing to untie the hands of scientists to dare to commit themselves for the development of the country is an issue that is being raised.

Student scientific research competition of Dong A University (Da Nang).

The Resolution clearly states that the organization in charge of implementing scientific and technological tasks using the State budget, during the implementation process, has fully implemented the regulations and research content that has been explained but does not achieve the expected results, will not have to return the funds used.

Ms. Bui Thi An - Vice President of the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations said that in scientific research, there must always be a forecast in advance to choose new topics. If you choose topics that others have researched, and you are behind, it is not good. As for "anticipatory" research, you cannot be 100% sure of success.

According to Ms. An, up to now, we have required research to be successful, so all outlines and topic selections must aim for success. This leads to an "unstable" mindset that if it is not successful, the council will not approve it, meaning there is no topic to do. If scientists do not have work to do, there will be no articles or contributions, which leads to related issues in the consideration and recognition of the title of Professor and Associate Professor.

Ms. An believes that the need to be successful in building a topic is related to the fact that sometimes scientific research is “not real”. That is why there are successful topics that do not come from market requirements, sometimes “forced success” so they cannot be applied and many topics are “excellently accepted” but still kept in drawers. This is a big waste, and at the same time causes a “fear” mentality for scientific staff. Because of unavoidable reasons, not because of subjectivity, because of committing to research but having to accept the consequences, scientific research staff do not dare to commit.

“If they fail, they will be discharged, so how can scientists have money to compensate, while the money has already been spent, causing confusion and frustration among scientists” - Ms. An pointed out, and commented that the National Assembly's recent approval of a Resolution to pilot a number of mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in scientific, technological, innovation and national digital transformation activities has "opened the way" for scientists to dare to commit, change their mindset to dare to do. Ms. An also said that the issuance of the Resolution at this time in the current period is appropriate when the country is entering a new era, which requires scientific research staff to dare to innovate, dare to take responsibility and dare to commit.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Huan - Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment said that the National Assembly's approval of the National Assembly's Resolution on piloting a number of mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation activities is only the first step to implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

Mr. Huan assessed that the National Assembly’s passing of this Resolution is an important “untie” in scientific research, technology, and innovation. Because scientific research, technology, and innovation cannot be sure whether it will be successful or not. If it is not successful and considered wasteful, no scientist would dare to do it, or only do certain, easy, and simple topics. But they do not dare to do high-tech risky things.

However, Mr. Huan also said that it is necessary to issue many documents to institutionalize all the major policies pointed out in Resolution 57. “It is necessary to amend the Law on Science and Technology and the Law on Intellectual Property. Because currently, scientific research and innovation “touch” many areas, including spending control. If we just allocate money to scientists, who would dare to do it? There are no invention topics but only documents to prove invoices. Requiring scientists to sign hundreds of signatures before payment is a big problem.”

In Resolution 57, the Politburo requested: Urgently amend, supplement, and synchronously complete legal regulations on science, technology, investment, public investment, public procurement, state budget, public assets, intellectual property, and taxes to remove bottlenecks and barriers, free up resources, encourage and develop science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and human resource development; reform management methods, implement scientific and technological tasks suitable to each type of research; reform financial management mechanisms in implementing scientific, technological, innovation, and digital transformation tasks, and simplify administrative procedures to the maximum; grant autonomy in using funds for scientific research and technological development. Have an open approach, apply creativity, and allow piloting for new practical issues. Accept risks, venture capital and delays in scientific research, technology development and innovation. Have a pilot mechanism for enterprises to test new technologies under State supervision; have a policy of exemption from liability for enterprises, organizations and individuals in the case of testing new technologies and new business models that cause economic losses due to objective reasons. Form venture capital funds for creative startups, technology incubation and digital transformation.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/mo-loi-de-nha-khoa-hoc-dan-than-10300867.html