Connecting science with policy, harnessing Vietnamese intellectual resources
WVR - The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has launched a series of science diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy activities in Austria. The event opens up numerous opportunities for strategic research cooperation, connecting science with policy, and harnessing Vietnamese intellectual resources.
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| The delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology takes a photo at the Ho Chi Minh Monument. (Photo: Chu Van) |
From July 19-23, during the working visit to Austria, the delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (the Academy) led by Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh, Vice President of the Academy, launched a series of activities on science diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. They connected with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna University of Technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, friendship organizations, and the Vietnamese intellectual community in Austria. This contributed to expanding the cooperation network, enhancing the connection between science and policy, and laying the foundation for new research cooperation programs.
Science diplomacy from the perspective of multilateral organization models
As the national representative of Vietnam at IIASA, the Academy, together with the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Austria and IIASA, co-organized a seminar on Science Diplomacy at the Embassy headquarters in Vienna. They shared perspectives on science diplomacy from the viewpoints of national and international research agencies to diplomatic representatives in the area.
Speaking at the seminar, Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh emphasized that in the context of increasingly interdisciplinary and cross-border global challenges, academies and research organizations should not only conduct scientific research but also play a role in connecting knowledge, scientists, and enhancing dialogue between science and policy.
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| The Academy, together with the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria and IIASA, co-organized a seminar on Science Diplomacy. (Photo: Chu Van) |
As a representative at IIASA, the Academy aims to promote the application of systems analysis in policy advice, while connecting Vietnamese scientists with international research programs on strategic technologies and sustainable development, as well as expanding the cooperation network in Southeast Asia – a region facing many growth challenges.
Sharing this view, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang affirmed that science and technology are increasingly becoming a crucial pillar of modern foreign relations. According to the Ambassador, no nation can tackle today's global challenges alone; therefore, science diplomacy should be promoted as a bridge between scientists, research organizations, and policymakers, contributing to fostering international cooperation based on knowledge and trust.
With the advantage of being home to many international organizations, including IIASA and IAEA, Austria is also an important partner for strengthening connections between Vietnam and the scientific networks of Europe and the world.
Recently, the Embassy has concretized this orientation through a series of technology forums on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, humanoid robots, and nanotechnology, quantum, connecting scientists, businesses, investors, and policymakers from Vietnam with Austria and Europe.
IIASA representative, Ms. Karen Lips, stated that the core value of IIASA over the past 50 years has been to create a space for science to connect nations through interdisciplinary research and international cooperation networks.
Meanwhile, Ms. Susie Kitchens, Director of Science Diplomacy at IIASA, emphasized that the foundation of science diplomacy is first and foremost building trust between people; from academic dialogues and expert networks, long-term cooperation and evidence-based policies are formed.
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| Delegates attending the seminar take a commemorative photo. (Photo: Chu Van) |
People-to-people diplomacy as a foundation for sustainable relationships
While science diplomacy creates a space for dialogue, people-to-people diplomacy forms the social foundation for the sustainable development of scientific cooperation.
During the visit, the Academy's delegation held meetings with the Vietnam-Austria Friendship Association, the Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association, and met with the Vietnamese intellectual community, scientists studying, researching, and working in Austria.
These activities demonstrate that today's international scientific cooperation is not only driven by research institutes and universities but also requires the accompaniment of diplomatic missions, friendship organizations, and overseas intellectual networks.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Austria continues to play a role as a bridge between the Academy and international organizations, research institutions, and Austrian partners; while supporting the connection of cooperation initiatives in areas of mutual interest. This is also evidence of the linkage between state diplomacy and science diplomacy in promoting international cooperation.
As the President of the Vietnam-Austria Friendship Association, Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh believes that cooperation in science, technology, and education not only produces research results but also enhances understanding and trust between the peoples of the two countries. It is the relationships nurtured by the scientific community that create the foundation for long-term, stable, and effective development cooperation programs.
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| The Academy and the Vietnamese Embassy meet with Vietnamese intellectuals in Austria. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Notably, the meeting with Dr. Nguyen Duy Ha, a Vietnamese expatriate expert in Quantum Physics at the Institute of Solid State Physics, Vienna University of Technology, along with Vietnamese scientists working in Austria, opened up many discussions on the potential for connecting research groups, co-supervising doctoral students, academic exchanges, and participating in joint research programs.
This is also one of the directions the Academy wishes to continue promoting to harness the intellectual resources of overseas Vietnamese, contributing to the development of science and technology in the country.
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| The delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology works with Dr. Nguyen Duy Ha, a Vietnamese expatriate expert in quantum physics at the Institute of Solid State Physics, Vienna University of Technology. (Photo: Chu Van) |
On the foundation of science diplomacy opening international cooperation channels and people-to-people diplomacy creating the human foundation for sustainable development, the Academy is gradually connecting these two resources through research cooperation. This aims to integrate activities into accessing advanced knowledge, developing high-quality human resources, enhancing research capacity, and effectively mobilizing international resources for national development. It contributes to effectively implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, as well as Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation.
