Intellectuals in the fields of science and technology honoured at the ceremony on Wednesday. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Organised by the Việt Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) on Wednesday it was an opportunity to thank those individuals who had made major contributions to the nation.

Many Government and Party officials, as well as representatives of 93 professional associations nationwide, 63 provincial and municipal unions and many affiliated science and technology organisations were also there.

At the ceremony, 135 distinguished intellectuals were carefully selected by VUSTA.

Those chosen for honours were intellectuals who have worked in research institutes, universities, businesses, agencies, localities and organisations within VUSTA for 10 years or more.

They possess scientific prestige, have made practical and effective contributions and have influenced the development of their field, agency, or unit, and are recognised by society, nominated by their agency or unit and introduced by VUSTA's affiliated organisations.

Among the 135 honoured intellectuals, 51 were nominated by local unions, 54 by professional associations nationwide, 28 by the Council and two by VUSTA's central office. Of these, 112 hold academic titles and degrees from associate professor, doctorate and above, 15 have masters and eight are graduates or equivalent. Three were Labour Heroes, 14 are women and 121 are men.

The honoured science and technology intellectuals have achieved significant accomplishments and made outstanding contributions to scientific research, technological development, and intellectual mobilisation.

National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn speaks at the event. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

In his speech at the ceremony, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn emphasised that throughout history, during both the nation's founding and defence, ancestors always valued the wise and intellectuals, considering them the nation's vitality. When the vitality was strong, the nation was strong, when it was weak, the nation was weak. From the country's early days,  late President Hồ Chí Minh stated: "The country needs to be built, and to build, we need talents."

The NA Chairman also pointed out that globalisation allows for the integration and exchange of science and technology with the international community, facilitating learning, experience exchange and the adoption of international science and technology achievements for national development.

However, it also poses new challenges, as foreign science and technology products strongly penetrate the domestic market, creating fierce competition. Additionally, there is an urgent need for a legal framework, institutions, policies, science and technology personnel, and major science and technology centres in our country. 

He said: "In this context, the intellectual team must adopt new perceptions, scientific and technological knowledge, new thinking and ways of working. With our nation's intelligence and creativity, we can overcome these challenges."

The National Assembly Chairman proposed five areas for action.

Continuing to effectively build a contingent of intellectuals in the context of accelerating industrialisation and modernisation and closely coordinating with central and local authorities to build, amend and supplement legal documents and policies to facilitate the formation of a unified intellectual system.

Regularly summarising and evaluating the intellectual team, promptly advising and reporting to the Party and State.

Strengthening research, consultancy, and criticism to improve the quality and effectiveness of VUSTA's activities, focusing on practical issues facing the country and promoting the talents, creativity and responsibilities of the science and technology intellectual team.

The NA Chairman expressed confidence that the science and technology intellectual team will continue to promote patriotic traditions, ethics and creativity, making further contributions to national development.

He concluded by wishing VUSTA and the 135 honoured intellectuals continued success in their work, worthy of the trust and expectations of the Party, State and the people. VNS