Minister Vu Hai Quan proposed that Hue University clearly identify its strengths to focus on research investment, in which each topic needs to target specific products, capable of practical application.
The proposal was made by Minister Vu Hai Quan at a working session with Hue University and the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, acting Director of Hue University, the unit is implementing the goal of becoming a National University with a multi-disciplinary, multi-field research orientation, promoting digital transformation, building an advanced management system and high-quality team. By 2030, Hue University aims to enter the group of 300 leading universities in Asia and the group of 1,000 leading universities in the world. The school aims to become a major center of education and training, science and technology, innovation, culture and specialized health, contributing to the development of Hue City, the Central - Central Highlands region and the whole country.
Hue University is focusing on completing the Hue University Urban Area, the planning area of 12 Institutes of Biotechnology and key training and research facilities, according to the orientation approved by the Prime Minister. The unit, together with Hue City, invests in infrastructure, attracts experts and orders training, research and technology transfer.
To realize the goal, Hue University leaders requested the Ministry of Science and Technology to invest in developing research, testing centers and key laboratories at the school, and at the same time proposed to be selected to join the system of national research, testing centers and key laboratories.
The school proposes to receive targeted investment support based on existing laboratories, focusing on areas of strength and associated with regional advantages. Priority directions include biotechnology, biomedical - pharmaceuticals, marine biology, environmental technology, digital technology and artificial intelligence, data science, and semiconductor microchips. According to the proposal, the center will be developed in a shared direction, capable of performing national science and technology tasks, providing science and technology services and connecting research institutes, universities and businesses in the region.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy also asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to pay attention and prioritize projects in the fields of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. This resource is expected to help the school develop a system of laboratories, research centers, infrastructure and modern technological equipment, thereby improving training, research and technology transfer capacity.
Professor Huy also proposed that the Ministry of Science and Technology order a number of national science and technology tasks in key fields, strategic technology and basic research. In particular, implementing a strategic research, development and technology mastery program in accordance with Hue University's capacity and the development needs of the Central - Central Highlands region, prioritizing biotechnology, artificial intelligence, environmental technology, green technology and interdisciplinary technologies.
In his proposals to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Professor Huy also mentioned building a program to develop applied biotechnology to serve the Central and Central Highlands regions. The program focuses on agricultural biotechnology, aquaculture, biomedicine - pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, biological products and environmental biotechnology. The goal is to form a chain of research, testing, technology improvement, trial production and transfer, creating scientific and technological products capable of commercialization.
Hue University proposes to build a program of research, development and application of high-quality biomedical technology, pharmacy and medical technology. Proposed research directions include developing drugs and products from medicinal herbs, medical biotechnology, vaccines, diagnostic biological products, precision medicine, cell-gene technology and medical technology solutions.
Professor Huy said that the unit aims to form research groups capable of leading national science and technology tasks and creating international publications. Accordingly, he proposed that the Ministry of Science and Technology support the building of a number of strong research groups and excellent research groups through medium and long-term science and technology tasks.
Minister Vu Hai Quan said that Hue University needs to clearly identify its strengths to focus on research investment, in which each topic targets specific products with practical applicability.
According to the Minister, the development of Hue University requires close coordination between the school, businesses and Hue City. To build Hue University into a National University, Hue City needs to consider the school as an important part of the locality, proactively order scientific research tasks, thereby solving practical problems, and creating more resources for the school.
The Minister highly appreciated the activities of the Institute of Biotechnology of Hue University, especially the results of technology transfer. However, he said that Hue University's financial resources for science and technology are limited. Many laboratories were invested in in the 2000s but do not meet current development requirements.
"The thinking of building a laboratory must come from the need to create products," the Minister said, saying that investment in science and technology needs to simultaneously target products and train human resources to meet actual requirements.
He proposed that Hue University focus on building a Biotechnology Center, taking advantage of the strengths of the University of Agriculture and Forestry, and applying artificial intelligence. The school needs to clearly determine what product it will create, from there determine which team needs to be trained, invest in equipment and develop appropriate proposals.
The Minister also suggested forming an alliance model between Hue University and Hue City, in which the city allocates space and land. The Ministry of Science and Technology supports equipment, businesses and Hue University participate in operation, research and product development. He affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology always asks for advice, listens to scientists' opinions, and always seeks to improve and support scientists as much as possible.
The Minister of Science and Technology hopes that Hue University will soon become a National University, playing a leading role in Hue City, the Central region and the Central Highlands. He believes that with a tradition of more than 70 years, Hue University will create great value for Hue City.
