Ha Noi student wins eco-diary contest

An eighth grader from the Ha Noi-based Doan Thi Diem Secondary High School, Ngo Hai Anh, grabbed first prize in the Eco Picture Diary Contest 2013, earning her the shot at taking part in the Global Award Ceremony in Paris, France, late this year.

Launched globally by Panasonic Corporation in 2009, the third contest in Viet Nam drew participation from 530 students from primary schools in Ha Noi and central Quang Nam Province.

The theme of the third contest focused on practical solutions to promoting green living, such as organising "green journeys" with friends, using public and green means of transport, planting trees, saving electricity, water and reusing materials.

Besides paper and paint, Anh used cuttings, cotton, and fabric scraps for her winning work. The five-day diary tells of environmental protection activities she is involved in at home, school and in public life, including eschewing plastic bags, saving water and energy, as well as planting trees.

"The quality of the submissions is higher in both content and drawing, with various materials and art techniques utilised to express the ideas. It shows that students have paid more intention to environmental protection and been aware of how to preserve the environment," Wakita Shinichi, general director of Panasonic Viet Nam.

Anh will be eligible to go to Paris for the Global Award Ceremony if her diary is chosen among the top six worldwide.

Over 200 Ho Chi Minh-related artefacts donated

The Ho Chi Minh Museum in the city of the same name held a ceremony on August 27 to receive 229 items, documents and photos relating to late President Ho Chi Minh.

Among the noteworthy artifacts are a Movado watch that the President gifted to Justice Minister Vu Dinh Hoe in 1957, a Hero pen given to former Deputy Head of the Railway Administration Le Minh Duc in 1958 and five portraits of Ho Chi Minh drawn by prisoners at Con Dao prison from 1964 to 1971.

The museum has now received nearly 700 artifacts since launching a campaign calling for the items in 2010.

On the same day, the museum displayed hundreds of images of the outstanding individuals and organisations who have thrived in the “Studying and Following President Ho Chi Minh’s Moral Example” campaign.

Four teams of US navy medical personnel aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) worked with Vietnamese doctors to enhance rehabilitation for patients at the National Institute of Burns in Hanoi between August 15 and 28.

They performed similar treatments in Vietnam as part of Pacific Partnership 2012.

This was the fourth time in five years the annual Pacific Partnership mission has visited Vietnam to conduct humanitarian civic assistance missions, and the first to include laser treatment for scars.

A fractionated carbon dioxide laser will be employed to help remodel restrictive scars and improve patients’ quality of life. Although still a relatively new application, this technology has been used for several years to help treat wounded soldiers.

Capt. Jonathan Wilcox, Deputy Pacific Fleet Surgeon, said his team is developing long-term professional and personal relationships with Vietnamese colleagues.

“By working together to improve the lives of many Vietnamese patients who have suffered debilitating trauma from burns and other related injuries, we’re building the capability to better deal with these types of injuries in the future,” said Wilcox.

The activity was within the framework of the second phase of the “Interventional Burn Management Subject Matter Expert Exchange”.

Global job opportunities for Vietnamese students

Representatives from 30 leading universities in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines attended a workshop on developing global companies and human resources in Asia at Tokyo’s Meiji University on August 28.

The event, jointly organised by Nikkei Group, Nikkei HR Company and the Japan Foundation, provided good opportunity for Japanese businesses and Asian universities to exchange valuable experience in training, nurturing and recruiting global employees.

In addition Nikkei HR Company will host a job interview from August 28-30 as the first pilot model for Japanese enterprises to approach abundant labour forces from foreign countries.

During a group discussion, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoang Diem, a lecturer from Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, spoke of the need to teach Japanese to Vietnamese students, an important element in seeking jobs at Japanese enterprises.

Dr. Tran Thi Thu Thuy from Foreign Trade University said due attention should be paid to teaching Japanese not only at university but even at a lower education level.

She expressed hope that Japan will soon have a specific strategy to support Vietnam in training human resources, especially in teaching Japanese to Vietnamese students.

Keisuke Yoshio, Councillor to the President of the Japan Foundation, said even though most Vietnamese students have trouble learning Japanese at the beginning, they then can quickly complete the basic level.

As an organisation to promote Japanese language and culture to the world, the Japan Foundation has played a vital role in supporting human resources training at Vietnamese universities, Yoshio added.

US organisation grants scholarships to students

The US East Meets West (EMW) Foundation has awarded 47 scholarships worth VND3 billion to new students in an August 27 ceremony forming part of its “SPELL Goes to College” programme.

This is the scholarship programme’s second year assisting disadvantaged students in the seven central provinces from Quang Binh to Phu Yen. The scholarships are intended to open up access to higher education.

The foundation has granted 36 students long-term scholarships supporting their journey through primary school and high school.

Each individual VND61 million scholarship pays for four years’ study at a tertiary institution.

The EMW is one of the largest non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam.

It has devoted more than US$100 million to education and training, healthcare, safe n water, environmental sanitation, and infrastructure development programmes, assisting hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged families to raise their quality of life.

The EMW’s “SPELL Goes to College” programme has granted 113 scholarships totalling over VND7 billion since 2012.

Vietnam commits to disabled people rights

Vietnam will increase regional cooperation to promote and realize disabled people’s rights.

Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen reiterated Vietnam’s commitment at a regional conference in Hanoi on August 27 reviewing the ASEAN project “Improving the Quality of Life of People with Disabilities.”

She said at present Vietnam has 6.7 million citizens with disabilities, accounting for nearly 8% of its total population and the figure continues to rise.

The country has carried out a range of recent activities at national and regional levels aimed at expanding disabled people’s involvement in all facets of society and fulfilling the Millennium Development Goal obligations regarding rights for disabled people.

It is currently implementing the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities, the 2013–2022 Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, and the ASEAN declaration on the enhancement of the role and participation of disabled people in ASEAN community.

However, Vietnam’s disability advocacy suffers from the limited resources allocated to social welfare projects still expected to serve millions of constituents.

Minister Chuyen hoped to receive more assistance for the disabled and affirmed that Vietnam will soon adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as soon as possible.

The conference was organised by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Developing human resources for nuclear energy

Vietnam is prioritising nuclear energy infrastructure development and cultivating the human resources capable of meeting the industry’s demands.

Deputy Science and Technology Minister Le Dinh Tien revealed the plan at a nuclear energy seminar in Hanoi on August 27 jointly held by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said the Prime Minister approved a human resource development project soon after the National Assembly passed its resolution on the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power plants. The project’s steering board is targeting completion by 2020.

Tien emphasised the importance of an overarching master plan for Vietnam’s nuclear power ambitions.

He expressed his hope that French, German, Czech Republic, and IAEA experts will share their experiences with Vietnam in the interests of fine-tuning this national strategy.

International and domestic experts attending the three-day seminar will also discuss nuclear power plant staffing requirements, training management officials, and nuclear power safety policies.

IUCN praised for increasing Vietnam’s climate change adaptation

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien has appreciated efforts made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in helping Vietnam increase its climate change adaptation.

Hien made the remark at a working session between his ministry and the IUCN in Hanoi on August 26 to seek cooperation for the continued implementation of the union-funded regional projects, which support people in coastal areas in improving the ecosystem in the face of climate change.

He affirmed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will solve difficulties for the IUCN in implementing its small-scale projects, adding that the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) will serve as a coordinator for specific cooperation between the two sides.

According to an IUCN representative, the project “Building Resilience to Climate Change Impact-Coastal Southeast Asia” (BCR), which started in September 2011, has been implemented in the Mekong Delta provinces of Soc Trang, Ben Tre and Kien Giang and Can Gio district in Ho Chi Minh City.

In 2012, the project helped these localities train 79 state officials on conducting vulnerability assessment.

In the coming time, within the framework of the project, the IUCN will sign cooperation agreements with the localities to provide local residents with effective activities to cope with climate change.

The union plans to organise a meeting of the regional Steering Committee on the future mangrove initiative in Quang Nam province in September, and a regional forum on coastal areas in Soc Trang province in October.

Competition to explore Canada launched

High schoolers across the nation are expected to engage in a new and compelling educational competition to explore the beauty and diversity of Canada.

The Embassy of Canada in Hanoi and the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City on August 26 announced that the competition, titled “Explore Canada from A to Z”, will run from August 27 to November 30 as part of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties.

Contestants will compete in three rounds, including online quiz in Vietnamese, English or French writing, and English or French speaking.

First prize winner will receive a scholarship to study English or French, Canada’s two official languages, and Canadian culture for two weeks in Canada, including a cultural tour for the accompanying parent.

Second and third prize winners will be awarded a Blackberry Bold Touch 9900 and Blackberry Curve 9320 respectively. In addition, 12 consolidation prize winners will each receive a cool student kit.

Students nationwide are encouraged to learn more about the contest and register at www.duhoc-canada.vn.

Road worker killed in Lam Dong landslide

A worker was killed in a landslide on Monday while repairing provincial route 723 in the resort city of Da Lat.

The victim was identified as Hoang Trung Doan, 41, of northern Phu Tho Province, was buried in the slide after torrential rains battered the region.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the landslide.

Vapour forces new factory closure as residents fume

A new Hai Phong City factory attempting to make lightweight bricks was ordered to temporarily close down yesterday because nearby residents claimed they had been overcome by fumes.

Vice chairman of the People's Committee of northern Hai Phong City Do Trung Thoai ordered the factory to temporarily close down until it overcomes the problem.

The move came after about 100 nearby residents gathered in front of the factory last Friday and demanded it do something.

They claimed that the fumes from the factory had being making them dizzy since it started heating up its kilns last Thursday.

Hoang Van Tuyen, director of the co-operative said that the factory, located in Thuy Nguyen District's Lai Xuan Commune, had started burning 90 tonnes of wood in preparation for a trial run early next month. This was expected to last for six days.

Tuyen said the kilns were being heated in preparation for a trial run under a permit from the Natural Resources and Environment Department.

Bui Thi Thai, a doctor at Thuy Nguyen District General Hospital, said that four people were taken to the hospital with symptoms of vomiting and dizzy last Thursday.

However, they left after heart and blood pressure tests revealed nothing abnormal.

Reliance on imports limits animal vaccines

Livestock vaccine in Viet Nam is mostly imported, creating obstacles to the prevention and control of animal diseases.

The statement was made by Nguyen Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Animal Health Department.

Only five out of 109 companies producing veterinary medicine across the country are registered to produce vaccine.

These five companies currently help provide the country with a total of 86 different kinds of vaccine, nearly five per cent of the products allowed to be put into circulation.

Whereas, Viet Nam currently has 2,000 other kinds of vaccine produced by 209 companies across 36 countries worldwide including China, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain.

"Because of being passive in supplying vaccine, plans for livestock inoculation against epidemics could be affected when the supply is interrupted. As a result, the damage would be more extensive", Viet Nam Poultry Association Vice Chairman Doan Xuan Truc said, emphasizing that it would be difficult to find another kind of vaccine to replace it when a virus type changed.

Most vaccines used to vaccinate livestock against bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) - also known as blue-ear pig disease - were imported.

"Last year, 9.7 million doses of vaccine preventing blue-ear pig disease were imported, 6.3 million doses higher than the figure of 2010", Thuy said.

In April, the Government allowed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to buy 40 million doses of vaccine, imported from China and worth over VND 10 billion (US$476,000), to keep on standby for bird flu.

"The vaccine production process is extremely costly. Besides, the Government hasn't had financial policies which could encourage scientists and drug makers to make vaccine. So, livestock vaccine production in the country has met many difficulties," Thuy said.

Therefore, to make good the shortcomings, policies which will help develop vaccine production, business and distribution will be built and submitted for the government's approval by the department.

Accordingly, companies, as well as projects researching and producing vaccines, will get much preferential treatment in terms of capital and land allocation.

"Priority will be given to using vaccine produced by domestic companies for livestock inoculation in the country," Thuy said, adding that only when the country couldn't manufacture livestock vaccine, imported vaccine would be used.

The Government will give further attentiozn to training pharmaceutical human resources, and invest in techniques for researching and manufacturing vaccine.

"Domestic companies and research institutes should expand international co-operation in researching and manufacturing vaccine, which will help improve research skills and technology transfer", Truc said.

Da Nang to meet World Bank target

The People's Committee of central Da Nang City has said it will meet its deadline for a sustainable development project funded by the World Bank, according to a statement made by City Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan yesterday.

The US$272.1 million project, of which $202.4 million will be provided by the World Bank, will help improve the city's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, build new roads and revamp the drainage system.

The fund will also aid the completion of major infrastructure sub-projects initiated under the Da Nang Priority Infrastructure Investment Project.

The project will expand access to improved drainage, waste-water collection and treatment services, the road network and public transport in selected areas of the city.

"Da Nang has invested much in urban development to make it the largest city in the central region and a ‘green city' by 2025. The sustainable project with a huge fund from the World Bank is the largest sustainable project in the city, aiming to boost socio-economic development," Tuan said.

According to analysts, the World Bank has built a strong partnerships with Da Nang City over the past decade.

"We hope that Da Nang residents will benefit from the advanced infrastructure services of a sustainable city. It will provide a ‘green model' for sustainable urban development, which will hopefully inspire similar development in other cities," said Victoria Kwakwa, the World Bank's Country Director for Viet Nam.

"The project will be very complicated, and the commitment of the city's people's committee plays an important factor to implement the project," she said.

"I hope the city will closely co-operate with our teams in carrying out the project, and the partnership will be strengthened" she said, adding that she hoped the project would help people understand the importance of public transport and change their uses of cars and motorbikes.

Director of the City Transport Dang Viet Dung said public transport and current management institutions were big challenges for the city.

"We have experienced from infrastructure projects, but we need technical support and supervision from senior teams of World Bank in public transport and urban management," Dung said.

"BRT is quite new for us with technology, management and institutions of operation."

Da Nang is Viet Nam's fourth largest city and is widely regarded by other cities for its planning, governance and infrastructure.

Flood-shelter school opened for students

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue Province opened a school yesterday in Quang Dien District's Quang Thanh Commune which will not only meet the learning needs of 300 local students, but will also serve as a shelter for local residents in case of flooding.

Ngo Hoa, standing deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said the two-storey school worth VND4.98 billion (US$237,000) was built on a solid foundation to minimize damage during the rainy season.

The school is comprised of six classrooms with adequate facilities, and it is expected to improve the teaching quality in the locality, he added.

This is the fourth school of its kind opened in the province, and is the 65th project by the Central Region Natural Disaster Prevention and Support Fund, which will support construction in 14 central provinces.