VKIST on-site laboratory opening in Korea - Biotechnology area-

The laboratory is located at the KIST Gangneung Natural Products Research Institute (KIST Gangneung), focusing on the research of natural herbs and technological applications to increase the added value of Vietnamese medicinal herbs. The first three plants are selected for joint projects are Polyscias, Gac and Coconut oil.

Attending at the ceremony, representatives from Vietnam side, Ministry of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy and representatives of Department of International Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology Economic – Technical branches, Ministry Office, Science and Technology Office in Korea and other guests from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment and VKIST staffs. From the Korean side, representatives of the Korean, Ministry of Science and Information Technology (MSIT); Vice President of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and representatives and leaders of KIST Gangneung and the Korean press agencies.
 

Ribbon cutting protocol for the laboratory opening
 

At the opening speech, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy said that the opening of this laboratory was one of the activities mentioned in the content of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two Government in 2017. One of the two priority areas of the VKIST is the biotechnology field, which focuses on utilizing Vietnam's rich natural herbal resources and combining with Korea's advanced technology to achieve the best research results. This is also the common goal of the world today in using green, organic products to improve human health. The Deputy Minister would like to support and follow all the R&D activities which VKIST initiate in next coming time because this is the symbol of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Korea.
 

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology - Bui The Duy at the opening
 

On behalf of the Korean side, Dr. Lee Byung Gwon, President of KIST  recalled the KIST 's development stages and the great contributions to the development of the Korean economy. He expected that VKIST, with a new operating model following to international standards, would also bring similar achievements to Vietnam's economic and social development in the near future.
 

KIST President - Dr. Lee Byung Gwon at the opening.
 

Responding to the concerns from the leaders of the two sides, Dr. Kum Dongwha, VKIST President express his gratitude to representative of MOST, MSIT, KIST and KOICA for their cooperation and support in all activities of VKIST. The VKIST has been building up operation system with challenges and tasks need to be completed as expectation from Government. The on-site laboratory opening at KIST Gangneung is based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between VKIST and KIST at the Kick-off ceremony in November 2017 in Vietnam with the witness of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, in order to promote research, sharing and training of experience for VKIST's key researchers, and at the same time develop research and deployment cooperation between the two institutes.
 

VKIST President - Dr. Kum Dongwha at the opening
 

The laboratory’s duration is 3 years, in which expenses for VKIST's personnel will be funded by ODA. KIST provides support for the entire equipment during operation and sponsored experimental materials for the first year. It is expected that after one year of operation, the laboratory will have the first research results.
 

Representative of KOICA at the event.
 

Representative of MSIT at the event

Representatives from both sides expressed their determination in accompanying and supporting the development of VKIST.