VUSTA 6th national congress held in Hanoi

Mr. Truong Tan Sang, member of the Politburo, emphasised this at the 6^th National Congress of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) held in Hanoi on April 28 in the presence of the Party’s former  General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, Mr. To Huy Rua and Mr. Ho Duc Viet, Politburo members, Mr. Huynh Dam, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and other high-ranking leaders of the State and Party.

Mr. Sang also highlighted the important role of the Vietnamese intellectuals in the development of the country and the VUSTA.

On summarizing the operation of the Union in the last office term, Secretary General Pham Van Tan said VUSTA has made great development and raised its prestige in the society.

It has provided consultancy, judgement and social expertise activities to contribute a scientific perspective in making directions, policy, law, and plans of Party and State on socio-economic development, science and technology, education and training, environment protection and sustainable evelopment.

As a VFF member, VUSTA has always taken the initiative in responding to VFF campaigns. The Union has made great effort in order to mobilize, gather and unite Vietnamese intellectuals in science and technology with a variety of activities and coordinate and collaborate the operation of its member associations.

The VUSTA now has 125 member associations, 55 local unions of associations and 70 science associations nationwide with 1.8 million people, one third of the country’s intellectuals.

However, Mr. Tan was also aware of the union’s shortcomings in management and professionalism.In addition, the VUSTA has not been able to make good use of oveseas intellectual resources.

“In order to overcome all the difficulties, the VUSTA need to strengthen its staff and the operation of its member associations from central to local levels, and also encourage more overseas people to contribute to the country’s construction and development cause,” he said.

Also at the congress, a new presidium was elected with 23 members. Professor Dang Vu Minh, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee was chosen as the new president while Dr. Pham Van Tan was elected the Secretary General. A new Inspection Committee with 9 members was also elected with Dr. Tran Viet Hung chosen as head of the committee.