Introduction about VUSTA

About Union of Science and Technology Vietnam

The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) is a socio-political organization of the Vietnamese science and technology intellectuals. VUSTA is organized and operates under the principle of voluntarism and democracy. VUSTA is the biggest network of non-governmental science and technology organizations in Vietnam. Via its nation-wide and multidiscipline network of 77 associations, 63 provincial branches and over 400 affiliated science and technology organizations, VUSTA maintains close relation with and represents for the legitimate rights and voices of the Vietnamese science and technology community. Since its establishment, the organization has served as an effective bridge between the Communist Party, the State, the National Assembly and the Government of Vietnam with its members and affiliations.

The history of VUSTA was traced back to the date of May 18 th, 1963 when the First National Congress of the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology Popularization was convened. The date of May 18 th has been selected as the Vietnam’s National Science and Technology Day in 2013. The Association was then established to respond to the urgent need of advancing science and technology to serve the reconstruction and development of Vietnam. However, it was until March 26 th 1983 that the First National Congress of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations was organized with 14 national scientific and technological associations and one provincial branch. Since its establishment, VUSTA has grown significantly both in terms of organizational size and impact to the overall social and economical development of Vietnam. VUSTA has made significant contributions to the dissemination of science and technology knowledge to the people, to the promotion of scientific research and innovation, to the emergence of large numbers of non-governmental science and technology organizations serving diversified development needs of the country.

VUSTA is national members of many international and regional science, technology and engineering organizations. It maintains cooperative relations with international cooperation agencies, international non-governmental organizations, Embassies of foreign countries to Vietnam and other counterparts concern the development of Viet Nam.

As VUSTA enters into its 7 th term (2015-2020), VUSTA committed itself to the coordinated efforts of the entire network for the socio-economic development and international integration of Vietnam, especially in terms of encouraging Vietnamese scientists and engineers, both at home and overseas, to conduct scientific research and innovation, academic exchange, provision of science-based consultancies and recommendations, dissemination of science and technology and international cooperation.

In accordance with the Charter of VUSTA that has been endorsed by the 7 th Congress, VUSTA is mandated to the Missions and Functions as follows:

Mission of VUSTA:

1. Gathering and uniting Vietnamese intellectuals in science and technology inside and outside the country, coordinating and guiding the operations of member associations.

2. Acting as a bridge between member associations with the bodies of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front and other organizations to tackle common issues for the VUSTA intellectuals.

3. Representing and protecting the legal rights and interests of its members, member associations, and Vietnamese intellectuals in science and technology.

Functions of VUSTA:

1. Building and developing VUSTA organizational structure:

• Building, developing and consolidating the organizational structure of VUSTA at both central and provincial/municipal levels;

• Regulating, coordinating and guiding the operation of member associations;

• Strengthening sectorial and regional links between member associations;

2. Mobilizing intellectuals in science and technology:

• Upholding the tradition of patriotism, national pride, civic responsibility, the spirit of cooperation, community, honesty and ethics of intellectuals in science and technology, especially young intellectuals;

• Communicating and popularizing the guidelines and directions of the Party and laws and policies of the State among intellectuals in science and technology;

• Mobilizing Vietnamese intellectuals inside and outside the country to participate in activities contributing to national construction and defense;

• Creating conditions for sharpening professional ability, improving physical and mental living conditions for intellectuals in science and technology.

3. Organize the following activities:

• Providing the Party and State with advise on major issues related to guidelines and policies for national development, especially in science and technology, education and training, and policies for intellectuals;

• Conduct consultancy, judgment, and social expertise to contribute to building scientific ground for the formulation and implementation of Party’s guidelines and directions and State’s policies and laws, strategies, plans, programs, socio-economic development plans, and key investment projects;

• Conducting scientific researches and promoting  technological development; applying technological advances in production and daily life, protecting the environment and dealing with global climate change;

• Disseminating scientific and technological knowledge, participating in building a learning society, thus contributing to increasing the intellectual standards of people, training the human resources and  nurturing talents;

• Participating in the issuance of professional certificates, supervising professional activities and public services in compliance with stipulations by the law;

• Participating in community development, poverty reduction, health care, and other social activities.

4. Performing the role of a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front:

• Cooperating with member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in the implementation of joint activities to build synergies; strengthening the workers-farmers-intellectuals coalition and building the national great unity bloc;

• Conveying the aspirations and opinions of intellectuals in science and technology to the Party, State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front;

• Participating in the struggle to protect peace, protesting against wars, contributing to building and promoting friendship, understanding and cooperation between countries and nations.

5. Strengthening cooperation with foreign non-governmental organizations and associations and joining regional and international scientific and technological organizations in compliance with stipulations by the laws.

Organizational structure

The highest decision-making body of VUSTA is the National Congress that meets every five years to discuss and endorse the resolution about the 5 years development plan of VUSTA, to endorse the Charter and to elect the Central Council.

The Central Council meets every year to provide guidance, advices and directions for the implementation of the 5 year resolution. The Central Council is responsible for the entire operation of VUSTA in its elected term.

The Central Council appoints the Presidium to execute and monitor the operation of the organization when the Central Council is not in session. The Presidium meets every quarter to give its directives and decisions on specific tasks, issues of the organization. The Presidium is comprised of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary General (Standing Presidium Members) and other members. During the time the Presidium is not in session, the Standing Presidium Members overseas the operation of VUSTA on daily basis.

To assist the day-to-day work of the Presidium and to execute decisions made by the Presidium, the Headquarters of VUSTA was established with different functional departments.

• Science, Technology and Environment

• Information and Knowledge Dissemination

• Consultancy, Judgment and Social Expertise

• Organization and Personnel

• International Cooperation

• Office Administration

To help implementing decisions of VUSTA’s leading organs, a number of affiliated institutions have been established

1. The Knowledge Publisher

2. The Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations (VIFOTEC)

3. The Science and Life Newspaper.