VietNamNet Bridge – Attracting an intelligent workforce is a very important part of public policy that which needs to be applied flexibly. A policy that attracts talented Vietnames to stay in their beloved country should create conditions that allows them to devote themselves to their work. Scientists will make the final decision on where they work and how they contribute to their country, said Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau: “Honestly, I’m a bit nervous”

Vietnamese Professor Ngo Bao Chau wins Fields Medal

Professor Ngo Bao Chau: “I offer the glory to Vietnam’s young people”

Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong

Phong, in a recent interview given to Tuoi tre newspaper, said the fact that Professor Ngo Bao Chau won the Fields Medal is not only a point of pride for Vietnamese people, but is also the driving force which will help develop Vietnam’s sciences and encourage a passion for scientific research.

Tuoi tre: How do you think the achievements of Professor Ngo Bao Chau will help encourage a passion for scientific research among Vietnamese people?

Hoang Van Phong: The success of Professor Ngo Bao Chau is a big encouragement for Vietnamese mathematicians, including elderly people – the teachers, who once taught the professor when he went to school, and younger people who prepare to devote themselves to mathematics. Professor Chau is a bright example to follow. Most importantly, the story about Professor Ngo Bao Chau will inflame a passion among young people for mathematics and other sciences.

The “fundamental lemma” which Professor Chau solved would not be the last success. There are a lot of other issues that need talented people like Professor Chau to settle.

Tuoi tre: What can we expect from the “phenomenon of Ngo Bao Chau”? How about the opportunities for Vietnam’s sciences?

Hoang Van Phong: Professor Ngo Bao Chau winning the Fields Medal is really an important event in the world. With the media covering the event, as well as the professor’s biography and career, the scientific community throughout the world will have a better understanding of Vietnam and they will be more interested in developing Vietnam’s research and education system for mathematics.

More opportunities for high-level international cooperation will come to Vietnamese mathematicians in particular, and Vietnamese scientists in general. The Government will meet the requirements for mathematics development in a more timely manner.

Tuoi tre: But how can we take full advantage when Professor Ngo Bao Chau worries about the generational gap in mathematics research. The gaps also exist in many other fields

Hoang Van Phong: Yes, it is true. The lack of people who make scientific research not only happens in mathematics, but also in other basic sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology, and not only in the natural sciences, but also in the social sciences. We lack the people between the ages of 30-50 to work in the basic sciences. In fact, the problem not only exists in Vietnam, but also in other countries like the US, Russia, Germany, Japan, and China.

We need to adapt to labor force movement, especially among the highly qualified labor force. New fields can attract people, because they can bring achievements and success more quickly than scientific research.

As such, our task is to quickly fill gaps with a new flood of scientists. We need to institute a suitable and wise action plan under which scientists like Ngo Bao Chau will play an important role.

Tuoi tre: Do you think that we lack scientists because we offer too low salaries for scientists, which causes many people to hesitate to go into scientific research?

Hoang Van Phong: Low income is a very important factor that causes many researchers to give up their jobs. In order to settle the problem, the Government, with a very limited budget, is drawing up policies that aim to gradually ensure reasonably high incomes for scientists.

Tuoi tre: What should we do to attract Vietnamese scientists who are working in foreign countries so they can contribute to the development of the country?

Hoang Van Phong: Like all other countries in the world, Vietnam needs the contribution of scientists who live and work in other countries.

However, it would be unreasonable and ineffective to require scientists to return to Vietnam, since they cannot work in Vietnam due to the lack of a supporting environment. In this case, Vietnamese scientists will make bigger contributions to the country if they stay in foreign abroad.

Source: Tuoi tre