Brian Jeffrey
Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, the Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV), emphasized that throughout her nine years of collaboration with the private sector, a central inquiry has persisted: how can we effectively integrate foreign-invested businesses and local private companies into the national economy?
Recently, the Party and the State have unveiled resolutions across various sectors, encompassing science and technology, digital transformation, and economic diplomacy. In this evolving landscape, the crucial element is the workforce, specifically a capable team ready for action.
“Consequently, while we persist in our ongoing tasks, we are also actively fostering deeper connections, particularly regarding the implementation of Resolution 57,” Thuy remarked.
According to Thuy, three primary challenges need to be tackled: advancing science and technology, fostering innovation, and embracing digital transformation. It is essential to identify existing capability gaps and determine what skills are still lacking in Vietnam.
There’s a pronounced deficit of professionals with strong expertise in science and technology. Although recent years have spotlighted issues like emission reduction and green transformation, the number of qualified experts remains limited.
When it comes to digital transformation, while there might be a reasonable IT workforce, many enterprises, particularly those owned by the state, still struggle to find suitable personnel. The private sector is also in need of “professional” managers who possess a deep understanding of digital transformations and current operational knowledge.
In the public sector, which is under immense transformation pressure, the scarcity of human resources is evident. Concepts such as “data-driven administration” and “citizen-focused” approaches are being introduced, but it raises a crucial question: who will execute these initiatives?
“Historically, we have overly relied on IT staff to drive digital transformation, but we are now recognizing a significant gap in experts for restructuring business processes, a critical component of any transformation,” Thuy observed.
Chu Duc Trinh, Rector of the University of Technology at Vietnam National University Hanoi, stated: “While Resolution 57 may have a specific timeframe, its essence is timeless and continually offers guidance. Every individual should apply science and technology in their work to streamline procedures and boost efficiency – this approach represents the most effective public policy for elevating social value and enhancing national productivity.”
Nguyen Van Khoa, CEO of FPT, described Resolution 57 as a revolutionary step that opens up vast opportunities for the country, particularly in the realms of science, technology, and human resource advancement.
He expressed hope that with the active participation of numerous enterprises, especially in the tech sector, Vietnam could produce world-class managers by 2045, contributing to the establishment of a developed nation based on science and technology.
