Vietnam has invested more than VND1.2 trillion ($70.6 million) in 19 key laboratories, but some labs say they lack a suitable operating mechanism while some others say they don’t have qualified human resources. Because of these shortages, some key laboratories work ineffectively.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan visited a national key laboratory.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the state installed the most modern equipment in these laboratories so these national laboratories need to have sci-tech breakthroughs.

In 2001, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance issued regulations to choose the developer of national key laboratories. The scheme to build 19 key labs was worked out.

These labs are designed to serve six fields of basic science: biotechnology, information technology, material technology, mechanics-automation, petrochemistry and infrastructure. Of 19 key labs, 14 are based at ministries, 3 at businesses, and 2 at institutes. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the total investment for the 17 first labs is more than VND1.120 trillion ($65.88 million).

However, only two labs had been built by 2004, 3 more in 2005, and 12 more by 2008. Experts have said that this sluggishness has affected research activities.

Even when these labs are put into operation, they work ineffectively. According to labs’ managers, there are two reasons: lack of funds for their operation and lack of staff. Some qualified scientists have left key labs because of low salary. These labs, which have modern equipment, don’t have money to conduct research activities. In short, investment in these labs is not a waste, but results have yet to match investment.

Breakthrough and dynamic needed

The Ministry of Science and Technology said that the above problems arise from this being a very new field and the lack of concern of ministries and sectors. Some labs haven’t worked out their orientations.

The ministry said that the state has equipped the labs with modern machinery and equipment and also allocated some kinds of funding for them; however, the state can’t subsidise the operations of these labs forever, after providing them with modern facilities. Some labs are working well, for example the biotechnology, gene, petrochemistry labs. Labs should be dynamic and combine life with scientific research.

However, scientists say that besides their efforts, the state and the Ministry of Science and Technology need to have clear policies to attract talents to work for key labs.

VietNamNet/LD