Many higher education institutions in Việt Nam are promoting investment in scientific research as one of their key tasks, but there are still certain difficulties in implementing policies that promote research.

Huỳnh Thành Đạt, Minister of Science and Technology (MoST), has recently emphasised the important role of scientific research activities in universities.

The Prime Minister urged the MoST to coordinate with relevant agencies develop a report that analyses issues that need to be addressed to promote scientific and technological development.

The report has identified 13 issues, and MoST is collecting opinions and seeking solutions from relevant agencies.

Promotes scientific research, international publication. Photo: VNA

Phạm Văn Phúc, director of the Stem Cell Institute of the University of Sciences under VNU-HCM, said the Stem Cell Research Institute is a public science and technology facility with financial autonomy, so that developing research products to bring to market to generate revenue for the institute is a vital goal.

Each year, the institute's technology transfer activities bring tens of billions of đồng in revenue, he said.

There are three important factors that influence the success of the technology transfer activities, including creating competitive and innovative advantages for research products, research products meeting customer demand, and mastering the relevant legal regulations.

“Technology transfer faces many difficulties because the current policies and laws have not kept up with reality,” he said.

For example, the Stem Cell Institute has researched and perfected the technology which develops stem cell products to treat degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis, spine disc herniation).

This technology was transferred by the institute to Vạn Hạnh General Hospital in District 10 four years ago.

“However, we do not have specific and clear regulations on stem cell products so the hospital cannot bring the stem cell products to market,” he said.

The model of spin-off companies (university spin-off startups) has become increasingly popular in many countries around the world.

The spin-off companies allow universities to commercialise their research and intellectual property.

Phúc said Việt Nam needs to apply this model to create favourable conditions for the activities of scientific research and technology transfer at universities and educational institutions.

He also proposed that the Government needs to invest in scientific research and innovation in a sustainable manner, and create more favourable mechanisms for scientists and investors in research and technology transfer.

Nguyễn Phương Thảo of International University under VNU-HCM said the slow processing of legal documents creates many difficulties for the activities of research and development, and technology transfer.

The technology transfer process of scientists in universities also faces numerous difficulties due to regulations under the Law on cadres, civil servants and other public employees.

Thảo gives an example, stating that her research team has reached the final round of transferring plant tissue culture technology to a foreign partner.

“Although we are highly appreciated by our partners in terms of experience and expertise, we do not have a mechanism to operate a lab as required by our partner,” she said.

There is a need to have a clear and detailed mechanism in which lecturers at universities can be allowed to establish university spin-off companies to solve the problems relating to technology transfer, she added.