On the morning of February 17, the National Assembly discussed a draft resolution aimed at addressing obstacles in science, technology, and innovation through pilot policy measures.

A new direction to attract talent in science and technology

Speaking on the topic of attracting and developing high-quality human resources, delegate Hoang Minh Hieu from Nghe An stressed the urgency of this issue, highlighting that human capital is the foundation for advancing science and technology.

Citing an international expert, he noted that nations that invest early and heavily in high-quality scientific and technological talent gain a stronger position in the global supply chain.

According to Hieu, Vietnam has a significant demand for skilled professionals. In the information technology sector alone, studies estimate that the country will face a shortage of 150,000 to 200,000 IT professionals by 2025, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, programming, and cybersecurity.

To bridge this gap, Vietnam needs experienced international experts to train local talent while also attracting foreign professionals to work in the country.

"We propose policies that facilitate the hiring of overseas Vietnamese and international experts to nurture talent in Vietnam. These policies should include visa support, tax exemptions, and other incentives," Hieu suggested.

Nguyen Lan Hieu, director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, also emphasized the need for more effective policies to recruit top scientific minds.

"Even appointing a department head within a research institution is entangled in numerous regulations. I hope this resolution will pave the way for passionate young scientists to pursue research across Vietnam," he said.

Delegate Tran Thi Nhi Ha from Hanoi pointed out that many businesses, universities, and research institutes are ready to innovate and take action in scientific research.

She proposed that ministries, government agencies, and local authorities allocate at least 20% of their public procurement budgets to purchasing domestic science and technology products. She also suggested an annual publication of a "science and technology product order list," allowing public institutions, private enterprises, and even individuals to register and receive support after successfully developing research projects.

Additionally, Ha called for a mechanism to streamline the commercialization of scientific and technological products. For example, an AI-powered medical software product might currently need separate registrations with both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communications. To prevent such bureaucratic overlaps, she suggested a unified approval process.

No liability for failed research outcomes

Hoang Van Cuong supported the provision that researchers should not be held legally or financially responsible if their studies fail, provided they follow proper research protocols.

"I propose a clear policy stating that when researchers follow approved processes and do not achieve expected results, they should not be required to repay funding," Cuong emphasized.

He also backed broader reforms to ease scientific research bottlenecks, including increased government funding and policies that reduce risks associated with research projects.

"In scientific research, success is never guaranteed - just like in oil exploration, where only one in ten drills might strike oil. These policies offer an important safeguard to help scientists work with peace of mind," he added.

Delegate Trinh Xuan An from Dong Nai also supported the draft resolution’s provision on liability exemption but raised concerns that it currently only applies to damages incurred by the state.

"We propose extending liability exemptions to organizations and individuals involved in research, including commercial contracts where financial losses occur. This approach should be reflected in the resolution," An argued.

Regarding criminal liability, An noted that the Penal Code already addresses the issue but leaves the final decision to the courts. He recalled that similar proposals had been made during discussions on the Law on National Defense and Security Industries, but the courts had not yet agreed.

He urged the National Assembly to introduce legal provisions exempting scientists from criminal liability if they adhere to objective research procedures and legal requirements.

"If we do not exempt researchers from liability, scientific work will remain highly risky. We need to include both civil and criminal immunity in future legislation," he said.

Expanding research funding and infrastructure investment

Delegate Nguyen Duy Minh from Da Nang pointed out that the draft resolution only addresses state-funded expenditures for science, technology, and digital transformation, which he argued is too narrow.

He suggested expanding the resolution’s scope to encourage private investment and public-private partnerships in research infrastructure development.

"The resolution must remove barriers to social funding and promote stronger collaboration between the state and private sector in research, innovation, and digital transformation," Minh stated.

He also noted that while the resolution discusses immunity for policymakers who formulate research policies, it does not yet address those responsible for executing them.

He proposed adding provisions to exempt officials responsible for research infrastructure investments from liability for financial losses, as long as these losses are not due to corruption or misconduct.

Accelerating investment in scientific infrastructure

Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy, deputy chair of the National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee, argued that rapid infrastructure investment is essential for advancing science, technology, and digital transformation.

She called for special investment mechanisms to develop key research facilities, such as workspaces, laboratories, pilot production labs, data centers, and fiber-optic networks.

According to Thuy, current laws either lack provisions for research infrastructure investment or only offer vague guidelines. She criticized the complicated approval processes, which do not align with the needs of Resolution 57.

She proposed that the National Assembly introduce fast-track investment procedures for state-funded research infrastructure projects, as well as policies allowing public-private investment partnerships.

For example, she suggested granting direct land allocations - without requiring auctions or bids - for research projects and waiving land-use fees for at least ten years. For projects that prove successful, land-use fees could then be reduced by 50% for subsequent years.

She also recommended allowing research institutions and businesses to lease state-funded research infrastructure without competitive bidding, with rent reductions or exemptions depending on the nature of the project.

"To drive innovation, we need breakthrough policies on intellectual property rights for research products developed using public funds or joint state-private investments. Researchers should have full ownership rights or be able to negotiate agreements with the government," Thuy concluded.

Quang Phong