Two main obstacles

Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, forestry research has produced many new varieties and technical advances over the past decade. However, we must be aware that these advances and variants have not yet been put into practice. This is for two main reasons.

First, promoting and introducing research results to companies and users is not good. There are two reasons for this problem. First, when making decisions on the recognition of technical advances and new varieties, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigns the task of promoting and putting into practice to the ownership units. However, in the current context where public science and technology organizations are gaining autonomy, the ability and economic potential to organize the transfer is still limited.

Secondly, the connection between scientific organizations and companies and users is not really close. Therefore, the information from the researcher to the manufacturer could not be linked smoothly.

The remaining hurdle is that scientific products must be of really good quality, otherwise their applicability in practice is severely limited. As instructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the scientific output needs to be raised one notch in the current and coming period. For example, in addition to yield and quality, new varieties also show resilience and adaptability to climate change… Scientific products should also meet many goals and requirements in production practice. , as Minister Le Minh Hoan often said, is “multi-value integration”.

Actively connected to the region

Scientists now have to memorize the motto “research linked to the market”. In production practice, this is a requirement and an indispensable prerequisite, because after all, scientific tasks are derived from practical requirements and can serve production practice. To do this, scientists must precisely grasp the requirements of the market and work according to the “orders” of the market.

There are two issues we are working on together here. Firstly, the managing bodies such as the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Ministry of Forestry, etc. have to organize tasks according to the needs of the market. Second, scientists empower, research and anticipate new trends in production practice. In order to combine both, it is clear that the relationship between the parties must be very close.

In the context of the current autonomy mechanism in public science and technology organizations, the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science has made a drastic change to create jobs for civil servants and employees while quickly putting technical advances and scientific results into practice.

First, we signed cooperation agreements with many places, such as Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee, Lao Cai Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tuyen Quang Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Simultaneously are we are affiliated with big companies like Vietnam Rubber Industry Group and Vietnam Paper Corporation. Through these activities, we quickly grasp the needs of the site and partners and coordinate the implementation of work in the rubber industry. Sustainable forest management and forest certification.

At the same time, the institute was also actively preparing plans to bring research results on varieties and technical advances into working sessions with communities. In this way, we really feel that we are encouraged and inspired by the local people, companies and organizations that lack a lot of scientific information, as well as forestry development policies. The tuning gradually goes deeper and brings very clear effects.

The Institute’s scientific staff are directly involved in discussions and on-site support in the development of guidelines for forestry development. Through such an exchange, both sides understand each other better and cohesion develops. For example, many models of plantation forests, especially local native trees, have been transferred from the Institute and implemented well. Models of multipurpose forests, large timber forests and non-timber forest products have also been implemented.

In addition, the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science also listens to local concerns, particularly in the areas of forestry development, sustainable forest management and certification. On this basis, the Institute has proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop a forest certification system in Vietnam. Out of an area of ​​around 200,000 hectares of certified forest, Vietnam today has around 400,000 hectares – a number that exceeds many initial expectations.

According to the Forest Development Strategy issued by the Prime Minister in 2021, Vietnam aims to reach 500,000 hectares of certified forests by 2025. With the progress mentioned above, the goal set is therefore definitely achievable. At the same time, it proves once again that research according to the needs of the market is an unchanging way for research institutes to intervene and withstand the autonomy mechanism. The development of Vietnamese forestry will certainly bring changes in the coming period.

Concentrate on the training

When entering the autonomy mechanism, it is difficult to look everywhere, but the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science is always aware of the need to maintain and develop staff training. If the officers are good, the new unit will be strong and perform the assigned tasks well.

This is not just the idea, but also the motto of all the institute’s activities. Despite the financial challenges, we do not limit the secondment of employees to training courses at home and abroad. As a result, the number of doctoral students at the institute used to be about 30 people, but thanks to the attention and drastic guidance of generations of leaders, the number of doctors has increased 3.5 times, to date 112 people.

The Institute’s approach is based on two main forms. First, long-term training through cooperation with many countries and international organizations to send staff to study abroad. Secondly, exchange personnel in international seminars or short-term training courses. In parallel, there are regular master’s and doctoral training programs in the country.

The Vietnam Academy of Forestry Sciences has a long history of doctoral education and has been commissioned by the Ministry since 1982. Over the past 40 years, the Institute has paid special attention to education, from perfecting regulations to standards. Trained and guided by the teaching staff. We also have a mechanism in place to nurture, attract and support graduate students to work in key areas of forestry, helping to directly complement local staff and provide permanent staff for the entire industry.

Thanks to the prestige of the Doctoral Evaluation Council organized by the institute, the staff trained at the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science were able to promote their skills well; Most of them become leading scientists, key officials, or heads of units and towns.

Prof. Dr. Vo Dai Hai said the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science currently has 17 affiliated units stretching from north to south managing more than 11,700 hectares. In particular, the institute has a laboratory system with many modern equipments, including a wood materials and technology laboratory that conforms to National Vilas standards for wood inspection.

In the 60 years of its existence, the institute has carried out almost 1,200 scientific research projects at all levels. In particular, the institute has always been the leading forest plant breeding facility in the country, producing over 90% of the recognized forest plant varieties.