The opening ceremony of the Vietnam – Laos Tech Connect Forum 2018 held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Lao Ministry of Science and Technology took place on August 9, 2018, at the Lao Institute for Science and Technology Management.
Vietnamese attendants at the opening ceremony were Vice Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung, the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) Vice President Phan Van Kiem, and Chargé d’Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos Nguyen Thanh Tung. Lao attendants included Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara, Vice Ministers of Science and Technology Bounty Thamit and Chanseng Phimmachanh.
The ribbon cutting ceremony opens Vietnam – Laos Tech Connect Forum 2018
The forum attracted about 300 participants, including leaders and representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, associations, enterprises, universities and research institutes from Laos and Vietnam. VAST sent to the forum a delegation led by Vice Chairman Phan Van Kiem who gave a brief speech on the situation of bilateral cooperation between VAST and Lao partners.
VAST Vice Chairman Phan Van Kiem addresses the Forum on practical and effective cooperation between VAST and Laos partners over the past 10 years.
The international cooperation between VAST and Lao Ministry of Science and Technology is a practical and effective cooperation. After more than 10 years of cooperation, VAST has handed over the research results to Lao partners in four areas: earth sciences; biotechnology; the building of 2 international standard laboratories for renewable energy and hi-tech agricultural development. These technologies have contributed to the economic development of Laos.
At this forum, VAST Vice President Phan Van Kiem agreed with the Lao Ministry of Science and Technology to continue to develop and transfer science and technology that VAST is strong at, including research on environmental resources investigation; equipment and laboratory in Laos; proposals to the two Governments on accelerating the implementation of ODA projects for phase II; completion of the project on building the Laos National Academy of Science and Technology; and the training of high-level human resources for Laos and the building of the Lao Museum of Nature.
Participating in Vietnam – Laos Tech Connect Forum, VAST introduced 38 technologies in three areas: agriculture (14 technologies), environment (11 technologies) and information technology, devices (13 technologies), and 01 report by Dr. Nguyen Van Thao, General Director of the Center for High Technology Development on developing high technology agriculture and potential for transfer of technology to Laos. These are technologies that have been studied, tested and applied in areas with similar natural features to Laos and technologies that have potential to be applied in Laos.
Some of the technologies developed by VAST scientists include 3D printers from University of Science and Technology of Hanoi; endoscopic machine of the Center for High Technology Development; real-time virtual reality software (processing of people counting image) by the Institute of Information Technology; the process of extracting cucumber from yellow saffron by the Institute of Natural Products Chemistry; environmental treatment and environmentally friendly plant protection products, received special care from Lao businesses who want to receive technology transfer from VAST.
The delegation visits technology showcase from VAST
To reflect the spirit of Vietnam-Laos friendship, on this occasion, VAST trade union sent VND30 million to support people affected by the collapse of Sepien Senamnoy hydropower dam in Attapeu province to help them quickly overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives.
Translated by Phuong Huyen
