On the afternoon of June 21, 2024, the Can Tho Center for Scientific and Technological Advancement (UDTB KHCN) hosted a conference for the Application of Scientific and Technological Advances in the Mekong Delta region (Meta Block) to summarize the activities of the Meta Block from 2014 to 2024 and to outline future directions.
Attending the conference were Mr. Truong Hoang Phuong – Block Leader, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Can Tho City; Mr. Phan Van Kien – Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of An Giang Province; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong – Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Vinh Long Province; Mr. Lam Thai Hung – Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Tra Vinh Province, along with representatives from the leadership of the centers and member units of the Meta Block, the Center for Development of Services and Exploitation of Scientific and Technological Infrastructure, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Scientific and Technological Advancement (SIHUB), businesses, and media agencies who attended to report on the conference.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Truong Hoang Phuong emphasized that during its operation, the Meta Block has received significant support from leadership agencies at all levels, as well as the cooperative spirit of its member centers. The activities of the Block have initially affirmed the effectiveness and role of scientific and technological application in localities. This has facilitated local investment in the science and technology sector in general, as well as in the activities and technical infrastructure of application centers in particular. However, at present, the operational model of the Block faces many major challenges. In provinces/cities that have implemented organizational restructuring and streamlining within the units under the Department of Science and Technology, there is a demand for increased financial autonomy, leading the centers to focus on revenue-generating service activities, which compromises the staffing and time available for collaborative activities, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the Block has not had any new or outstanding activities. Therefore, he hopes that the cooperative activities among the centers will be more suitable for the new situation.
Ms. Doan Thi Hong Quyen – Deputy Director of the Can Tho Center for Scientific and Technological Advancement, reported on the overall operational situation of the UDTB KHCN Block. The collaborative activities of the centers within the Meta Block highlight the importance of cooperation in the development of science and technology in localities with certain similarities; they also establish a bridge for information exchange between application centers/biotechnology centers, as well as between the centers and management agencies (the Ministry of Science and Technology and its affiliated units, the Departments of Science and Technology), research institutes, experts, and scientists. This fulfills the central function of application centers, which is to connect technology supply and demand.
In the recent period, the activities of the Meta Block have initially brought about positive changes in the field of technology transfer and application, enhancing awareness of the role of science and technology in various fields. However, this model is no longer suitable and is difficult to develop and achieve higher effectiveness (due to the merging and organizational consolidation of the centers). Therefore, the Executive Board proposes to summarize and transfer the activities of the Meta Block. It suggests that the receiving and leading unit for the next collaborative activities be the Center for Development of Services and Exploitation of Scientific and Technological Infrastructure (under the Ministry of Science and Technology).
Đăng ngày: 24/09/2024