The Benefits of Vietnam’s Approach to Science and Technology: A British Scholar’s Perspective

Dr. Simon Best, Senior Lecturer in Management and Innovation, Middlesex University, (Photo: VNA)

London – As a developing nation, Vietnam holds an advantage over countries shackled by longstanding traditions that are challenging to alter. This perspective was offered by Dr. Simon Best, a senior lecturer in Management and Innovation at Middlesex University, during a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in the UK.

Dr. Best asserts that the world has already delved deeply into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, considering the current technological advancements. In this context, Vietnam’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which emphasizes breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, signifies the country’s proactive embrace of change.

According to Dr. Best, Vietnam possesses a substantial number of enterprising and entrepreneurial individuals, reducing its reliance on other nations for innovation. He suggests that the country commence by meticulously evaluating its own resources.

When discussing the UK’s experience in cultivating human resources for science and technology, Dr. Best advises Vietnam to learn from the challenges faced by UK universities. He highlights a significant transition in the competitive landscape for universities against other information sources, such as the internet.

With the advent of the internet, universities have lost their monopoly as creators, holders, and disseminators of information. Dr. Best emphasizes that higher education institutions, both in the UK and Vietnam, need to adapt to this new reality. For instance, many UK universities lack programs or modules that teach students, particularly those in STEM fields, about the behavioral aspects of understanding AI, machine learning, and automation, despite these technologies having been prevalent for several years.

To address this gap, Dr. Best suggests that universities must go beyond teaching solely technical aspects. He stresses the importance of ensuring that STEM programs equip students with the ability to apply technical knowledge and provide additional training in areas like entrepreneurship and innovation.

Additionally, he highlights the significance of cross-discipline collaboration in fostering better human resources for industries, businesses, and organizations. This collaboration across different faculties or areas of expertise is crucial for developing a robust workforce.

While acknowledging the foundational role of STEM in all development, Dr. Best points out that it is not sufficient on its own. He notes that the industrial revolution was spearheaded by practitioners, including engineers and businesspeople, rather than researchers or academics. Therefore, he proposes finding ways to bridge the silos between industry and academia and creating cross-discipline programs from the pre-university to the university level.

Surveys consistently indicate that employers seek employees with strong collaborative problem-solving skills. Dr. Best emphasizes the need for STEM students to develop soft skills that enable critical thinking and collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

To foster the growth of science, technology, and innovation, Dr. Best suggests establishing small local hubs that unite businesses of various sizes to explore and share IT resources and innovations. He also recommends accelerating the transfer of technology from large enterprises to smaller ones and providing incentives for smaller businesses to adopt new technologies. Additionally, creating a local-level business ecosystem map that illustrates the potential for sectoral support is advisable.

Furthermore, to encourage effective collaboration between the state, scientists, and entrepreneurs, Dr. Best proposes that Vietnam invest in Erasmus Plus-style projects. These projects bring together industries, universities, and educational institutes of varying scales to drive changes in the educational system.

Through this mechanism, the government can invite businesses to identify challenges in human resource development, especially regarding STEM students, and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration on ideas and projects. Businesses can then present their ideas to the government, which, in turn, publishes them and invites universities and other companies to join the initiative, providing funds to support the project’s operational costs.

Regarding the potential contributions of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, Dr. Best views the global Vietnamese diaspora as an invaluable resource. He suggests implementing mechanisms to foster connections between the country and this intellectual community, encouraging their active engagement and involvement with Vietnam.

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