South Korean and Vietnamese dignitaries hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi on January 17. Among the participants are Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, second from right, Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, right, and Korean Vice Science and ICT Minister Oh Tae-seog, third from right. [Courtesy of the Ministry of Science and ICT]
The VKIST is one of Vietnam’s largest research and development (R&D) centers which has been under construction with South Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) worth $70 million since 2014.
The dedication ceremony was held at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi with some 150 dignitaries from both countries attending. The participants included Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Korean Vice Science and ICT Minister Oh Tae-seog, Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-ju, and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) President Yoon Seok-jin.
The two countries have worked together on the establishment of the VKIST modeling after the KIST which has contributed to South Korea’s industrialization since its creation with the assistance of the United States in 1966.
The VKIST has three research buildings and an administrative building on 231,404 square meters of land in the high-tech park. It possesses 592 different types of research equipment.
The institute has 36 researchers with doctorate degrees, many of whom studied at the KIST under an international research and development academy (IRDA) program.
The VKIST and the KIST plan to conduct joint research in diverse fields such as digital innovation, eco-friendly technology, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The KIST quoted Speaker Kim as telling that the opening of the VKIST has carried significant meaning as it came after the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations last month. He added the dedication ceremony signaled the beginning of the next 30 years for Korea and Vietnam.
Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue was also quoted as saying that the VKIST is a new model for Vietnam’s research and development of advanced technology. He expressed his gratitude to the Korean government for having provided assistance to Vietnam for the creation of the VKIST.
Vice Science Minister Oh has promised to provide further support for the VKIST to emerge as a science-technology R&D hub in Southeast Asia by stepping up research cooperation between the two countries.
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