(VOVworld)- Foreign and Vietnamese scientists agreed that Vietnam needs more international research institutes where young scientists can do research and show their creativity. The scientists shared the view on the sidelines of the international workshop “Fundamental science and society” held within the framework of the 12^th Meet Vietnam in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh province.

Participants at the workshop (photo: vista.gov.vn)

Attending the international workshop “Fundamental science and society” for the first time, Doctor Phan Viet Cuong, who is studying laser applications in Romania, says that in developed countries young Vietnamese scientists have better opportunities to work with foreign partners and their achievements there are widely acknowledged. Professor Kurt Wuthrich of Zurich’s ETH University, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2002, said young Vietnamese need to decide which field they want to devote their life to and the Vietnamese government needs to expand post-graduate education in fields that are relevant to Vietnam. He advised Vietnamese students to focus on physics, chemistry, and biology.

President of the Meet Vietnam Association Professor Tran Thanh Van said many successful young Vietnamese scientists have returned home but that Vietnamese research institutes don’t really inspire their creativity: “The government needs to pay more attention to this aspect. There are some places where international-level research institutes can be established. Our overseas scientists are familiar with an international work environment. They are ready to work in Vietnam if such an environment can be created”.

Binh Dinh province has introduced a number of incentives to encourage scientific research. The province has hired foreign architects to develop a 130-ha scientific urban area in Quy Hoa. Two American Physics Nobel Prize winners David Gross and Jerome Friedman, have pledged to support the establishment of scientific research institutes in Vietnam. Mr. Ho Quoc Dung is Chairman of the Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee: “Quy Hoa valley is beautiful. It faces the sea and is surrounded by mountains. It’s a good place to develop tourism but we decided to establish a scientific research complex here to create a space for scientists to work and relax”.

By establishing international scientific research institutes, Vietnam can attract foreign scientists who will inspire young Vietnamese scientists.