This was emphasised by Doctor Rita Colwell, a scientific envoy of US President Barack Obama in South Asia and Southeast Asia at a round-table talk in Ho Chi Minh City on February 8.

Doctor Colwell said the US Government has set up its National Science Foundation which develops scientific support programmes for international researchers. So Vietnamese scientists will receive support from the foundation if they have research cooperation with the US.

Ms Colwell described scientific cooperation between the two countries as most effective and emphasised the need to encourage and support primary pupils’ creative ideas.

Le Thanh An, the US Consul General to HCM City said Vietnamese universities must play a leading role in the coming period of economic development.

Bui Van Quyen, head of the City Department of Science and Technology, said one of difficulties facing the tertiary training sector is most students and teachers are too focused on training and teaching that they lack time required for research.

Other participants said that in addition to creating favourable conditions for students, teachers and post-graduates, human resources training also play an important role.