Vietnam currently has too many institutions that train scientists but few are capable of pursuing a career after graduation due to modest market demand.
You’ve often stated that Vietnam has far too many scientists. What do you mean?
I’m a scientist who has researched social science for years. I can see that there are too many institutions across the country that train scientists. However, young scientists, especially those who have just graduated, find it difficult to pursue their career after graduation due to the lack of opportunities or experience.
Computer chip manufacturers Intel offered to recruit high-profile scientists in Vietnam but supply failed to meet demand. In case of special demand, only a few scientists can meet the requirements while the majority have to struggle to survive. Those who specialise in scientific research, meanwhile, realise that they can’t make a living. That’s the major inadequacy in the country’s scientific training. Vietnam, an average-income nation, has yet to need as so many academic experts as currently are being trained.
Can you please explain why?
We’ve made a mistake in paying to much attention to academic training. People have started to change their views about science as a career. Scientists themselves have yet to meet society’s demand. This can be proven by a fact that even though Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in terms of having the largest number of docterates, only a few of these scientists have had their works published and peer reviewed in international scientific journals.
Innovative thinking rarely happens in natural science and technology after the age of 30, and in social sciences not often after the age of 35. Yet Vietnam is unwilling to embrace young scientists.
How does this affect the country’s socio-economic development?
We’ve yet to calculate the impact. In fact, our economic conditions are still substandard, so we’re incapable of hosting too many scientists anyway. At present, we have absolutely no need for the recently proposed high-profile mathematics institute which could cost VND600 billion (USD28.52 million).
Many people say that the insititute will lay the foundation for future mathematics but we can’t afford such a large investment.
In fact, the mathematic foundation was established 50 years ago during the time of Pof. Ta Quang Buu. However, few researchers have followed that path. Some who have, often live and work abroad and just return Vietnam when they are very old.
Does it mean that we shouldn’t persuade young people to pursue a scientific career?
I think that when the market has demand for new scientists, it will change to foster their development. It would be not good for a country if it has too many people who work in scientific research.
How can we do to improve the efficiency of scientific research and attract more talent as part of a national effort to restructure the economy?
I think that the role of market should be to heighten the application of science and technology. The establishment of a scientific and technology market is expected to help assess the efficiency of scientific research. To realise this target, research institutes should be granted autonomy to make decisions, instead of being subsidised by the Government in accordance with the Government’s Resolution No. 115.
Associate Prof. cum Dr. Pham Bich San, who is Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations
Associate Prof. cum Dr. Pham Bich San, who is Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), made the claim in an interview.You’ve often stated that Vietnam has far too many scientists. What do you mean?
I’m a scientist who has researched social science for years. I can see that there are too many institutions across the country that train scientists. However, young scientists, especially those who have just graduated, find it difficult to pursue their career after graduation due to the lack of opportunities or experience.
Computer chip manufacturers Intel offered to recruit high-profile scientists in Vietnam but supply failed to meet demand. In case of special demand, only a few scientists can meet the requirements while the majority have to struggle to survive. Those who specialise in scientific research, meanwhile, realise that they can’t make a living. That’s the major inadequacy in the country’s scientific training. Vietnam, an average-income nation, has yet to need as so many academic experts as currently are being trained.
Can you please explain why?
We’ve made a mistake in paying to much attention to academic training. People have started to change their views about science as a career. Scientists themselves have yet to meet society’s demand. This can be proven by a fact that even though Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in terms of having the largest number of docterates, only a few of these scientists have had their works published and peer reviewed in international scientific journals.
Innovative thinking rarely happens in natural science and technology after the age of 30, and in social sciences not often after the age of 35. Yet Vietnam is unwilling to embrace young scientists.
How does this affect the country’s socio-economic development?
We’ve yet to calculate the impact. In fact, our economic conditions are still substandard, so we’re incapable of hosting too many scientists anyway. At present, we have absolutely no need for the recently proposed high-profile mathematics institute which could cost VND600 billion (USD28.52 million).
Many people say that the insititute will lay the foundation for future mathematics but we can’t afford such a large investment.
In fact, the mathematic foundation was established 50 years ago during the time of Pof. Ta Quang Buu. However, few researchers have followed that path. Some who have, often live and work abroad and just return Vietnam when they are very old.
Does it mean that we shouldn’t persuade young people to pursue a scientific career?
I think that when the market has demand for new scientists, it will change to foster their development. It would be not good for a country if it has too many people who work in scientific research.
How can we do to improve the efficiency of scientific research and attract more talent as part of a national effort to restructure the economy?
I think that the role of market should be to heighten the application of science and technology. The establishment of a scientific and technology market is expected to help assess the efficiency of scientific research. To realise this target, research institutes should be granted autonomy to make decisions, instead of being subsidised by the Government in accordance with the Government’s Resolution No. 115.
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