Appropriation of Biotechnology in Vietnam

I. Context:
- Role of Biotech for development has got widespread recognition among developing countries, including Vietnam
- In Vietnam, there are many official documents and policies of the government on development of Biotech. Biotech development and application in Vietnam is mainly intended for:
+ Agriculture
+ Healthcare
+ Environment
- In the context of a latecomer economy, there is a necessity for comparison and mutual learning between Vietnamese communities working on biotech and other partners, national and international.
- There are several similar activities related to biotech innovation study that has been conducted. Some of them are relevant to Vietnam context. First of all, one should mention IDRC supported UNU-MERIT (formerly UNU-Intech) study on biomedical innovation activity. This study is conducted in several countries in Africa and Asia like Tanzania, Vietnam, Malaysia. However, this study is very much on general issues and sector mapping rather than looking at specific features of university research and commercialization. (more…)

Vietnam Position Paper presented at UNIVERSIDAD06
Vietnam Power Point presented at UNIVERSIDAD06

The Vietnamese team organized the national workshop on the role of academic institutions (R&D institutes and universities) in national system of innovation on December 1, 2005. About 70 people attended, coming from National Council for S&T policy (NCSTP) under the PM, several ministries (S&T, Education and Training, Industry, Agriculture and Rural development, Planning and Investment, etc.) and universities and R&D institutes. Also the private sector was represented in form of companies mainly from Hanoi but also from HCMC and other regions. Participating journalists were present to secure media coverage.

Lessons Learned

The workshop concept was positively accepted by the audience, however some suggested future adjustment of the presentations in order to be more applicable in Vietnam. Thus, the lesson to draw from the Vietnamese workshop, is to focus less on the theoretical framework, and in stead pay more attention to the practical side of the issue, including case studies and evidences from the specific national context.

Please see more information and programme below.

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