Binh Dinh Province Chairman Pham Anh Tuan has pledged to remove obstacles and create the most favorable conditions for the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) to thrive, contributing meaningfully to the local and national goals in science and technology development.

Nearly 50 experts and scientists recently attended a scientific workshop at ICISE in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh, to provide feedback on the draft proposal for establishing a “Center for Space Science and Technology Research and Application” aligned with Vietnam’s national space science development strategy through 2030.

Participants included Dr. Nguyen Quan, former Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Vietnam Automation Association; Prof. Tran Thanh Van, Chairman of the Rencontres du Vietnam Association and Director of ICISE; Dr. Nguyen Huu Ha, Deputy Director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Science and Technology; and experts from various universities and research institutes, as well as representatives of provincial departments and agencies.

A feasible vision for a space science and technology center

The workshop marked a significant scientific milestone, reflecting a breakthrough in Vietnam’s space research sector. Contributions focused on refining the draft to ensure the center in Binh Dinh aligns with the government’s strategic direction and is practically feasible.

The proposal outlines ambitious goals, including promoting space science research, developing astronomy, astrophysics, and space technology projects, and expanding international cooperation, especially with NASA, leading French and American institutions, and other top scientific organizations globally.

Additionally, the center aims to apply space technologies in daily life, using satellite data for meteorology, environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, and transportation. It also plans to establish a specialized training center to develop high-quality human resources in space science, supporting Vietnam’s digital transformation and innovation.

Feedback from the workshop will serve as the foundation for finalizing the proposal, which will be submitted to the Binh Dinh People’s Committee for approval to invest in the space research center project.

Binh Dinh to facilitate ICISE’s continued development

After direct discussions with Prof. Tran Thanh Van and representatives from the Rencontres du Vietnam Association, Chairman Pham Anh Tuan reaffirmed that ICISE is not only a source of pride for Quy Nhon and Binh Dinh but also a bright spot on Vietnam and the region’s scientific landscape.

The chairman expressed strong support from provincial leadership and departments, committing to clear obstacles and create optimal conditions for ICISE to flourish and contribute significantly to science and technology development in Vietnam.

Prof. Tran Thanh Van, founder of Rencontres du Vietnam and ICISE, shared: “We chose Binh Dinh to build ICISE and have never doubted that decision. Across generations of local leadership, we have always received tremendous support. That has been a powerful motivation for us to persevere.”

With 30 years of activity in Vietnam and over a decade of developing ICISE, Prof. Van and his collaborators have transformed the center into a hub for academic exchange, talent training, fundamental research, science diplomacy, and national image building. Today, ICISE is becoming a distinctive scientific symbol for Vietnam in the international community.

ICISE is a unique model in Vietnam that blends academia, innovation, and policy vision, offering young Vietnamese scientists an international-standard, open environment to "launch scientific careers."

According to Prof. Van, ICISE’s success stems from a deep love for the homeland, devotion to science, and strong international collaboration. In the near future, the center will host Nobel laureate Prof. Serge Haroche (Physics, 2012) and other French scientists under the strategic France-Vietnam cooperation framework. Large projects in space science, oceanography, and environmental studies are also underway with French support.

ICISE is one of the rare international-standard scientific centers in Vietnam, founded and operated by global scientists.

“With local government support and high-level backing from both countries, ICISE is steadily asserting its status as a nationally and regionally significant scientific center,” Prof. Van emphasized.

To date, ICISE has hosted over 200 international scientific conferences, welcoming nearly 16,500 scientists from 60 countries, including numerous Nobel laureates and winners of the Fields and Dirac Medals.

An Nhien