Sci-tech Ministry declares ten events for 2008

The Centre for Scientific and Technological Information under the Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the ten outstanding sci-tech events of 2008 based on readers and experts’ selections.

1. Cross-bred rice variety sold for $588,200

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram, a famous paddy variety researcher of Vietnam, set a record in selling the copyright of her new cross-bred rice variety to a private company at the price of VND10 billion ($588,000). This event is a great encouragement for local scientists, especially those working in the agricultural field.

2. Launching of Vinasat satellite

The first commercial telecom satellite of Vietnam was launched into orbit at 5.17am, April 19, 2008 at the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, South America. This event heralded a new age for the telecom and information sector.

Together with more than 200,000 km of optical cable on land and under sea, the modern digital microwave system, VINASAT-1 has contributed to modernising national information facilities, improving the capacity and safety of the information network and accelerating the supply of telecom, IT, Internet and television services for people in remote, mountainous areas and on islands.

Two land stations were built in Ha Tay, Hanoi and in the southern province of Binh Duong to control the satellite. Twenty-one young engineers are responsible for managing the satellite, which is worth VND4.8 trillion. Nearly eight months after the launch, Vietnamese experts are able to run the land stations.

3. Initial result in treating blood cancer with stem cells

The Central Hospital for Hematology and Blood Transfusion on May 25, 2008 conducted a stem cell transplant operation on a 21-year-old blood cancer patient. The patient left hospital on July 10, in good health. Tests didn’t reveal any cancer cells in her blood.

The Director of the Central Hospital for Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri, said stem cell transplants will be implemented at many hospitals to treat blood cancer, which is increasing in frequency in Viet Nam.

4. Party Chief Nong Duc Manh works with the Ministry of Science and Technology

5. Space Industry kicked off

As of 2009, a project to develop the human resources, facilities and technology of the space industry will be carried out. The country’s target is by 2017 it can manufacture small satellites at the Hoa Lac Space Centre. This project is funded by Japanese ODA, worth $350 million, at the Hanoi-based Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park from 2010 to 2017.

6. The Party Central Committee issues resolution to build team of intellectuals in the age of industrialisation and modernisation

This resolution confirms the Party’s point of view of considering intellectuals as a special creative force. The resolution highlights the role of intellectuals in the country’s renovation and international integration period.

7. Inspection and discovery of fraud at gas stations

From April to October 2008 the Ministry of Science and Technology launched an inspection programme over petrol trading firms throughout the country. By October 30, over 4,400 companies had been probed, and 797 found violating laws. These violators were fined nearly VND4 billion ($235,000) for cheating customers.

The ministry has taken many measures to tighten control over the operations of petrol and gas traders to protect the interests of consumers.

8. The Nuclear Power Law ratified

The Nuclear Power Law was passed by the National Assembly in 2008 and it went into effect on January 1, 2009. The law was issued to protect humans and the environment from harmful impacts of radiation and to set a foundation for developing nuclear power in Viet Nam.

The first 4,000-MW nuclear power plant will be built in Ninh Thuan Province in 2015 and will become operational in 2020.

9. National Assembly approves Hi-tech Law

The law encourages and applies the highest incentives to develop hi-tech human resources and hi-tech products in Viet Nam.

10. Developing sci-tech businesses

The Ministries of Science and Technology, Finance, and Home Affairs on June 18 signed a joint circular on sci-tech businesses. Accordingly, Vietnamese and foreign individuals and organisations have the right to own or legally use sci-tech achievements to set up sci-tech firms; state-owned sci-tech organisations can be transferred into sci-tech firms.

This policy helps promote commercialisation of sci-tech achievements, develop the sci-tech market and make great changes in developing sci-tech businesses and big sci-tech groups in Viet Nam. (VNN)