Behavioral science technology

HCM City steps up AI development efforts

April 18, 2021 by vov.vn

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy made the suggestion at a recent working session with the HCM City People’s Committee regarding the implementation of a national strategy on AI research, application and development by 2030.

He underlined that to promote AI development, the information and communications sector needs to create a market for AI products while the education sector must focus on appropriate training.

In terms of human resources for AI, the deputy minister said the southern city should pay attention to training programmes to disseminate knowledge and connect hi-tech parks, software technology parks, and start-up incubators.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc placed emphasis on acquiring experts in the field and proposing policy amendments to the Party Central Committee, while seeking permission to pilot policies on AI personnel and the use of and investment in AI products.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has been asked to devise orientations towards the building of three national centres on data archiving and to measure efficiency in the national strategy.

HCMC steps up AI development efforts

April 18, 2021 by sggpnews.org.vn

He underlined that to promote AI development, the information and communications sector needs to create a market for AI products while the education sector must focus on appropriate training.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has been asked to devise orientations towards the building of three national centres on data archiving and to measure efficiency in the national strategy.

Hanoi-Amsterdam School ‘superman’ dreams of becoming astronomer

April 18, 2021 by vietnamnet.vn

A physics major at the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has received two pieces of good news – acceptance letters from MIT and Princeton University in the US.

Hanoi-Amsterdam School ‘superman’ dreams of becoming astronomer

MIT ranks fifth among THE’s best universities in 2021 and leads the world’s schools in technology training according to QS 2021 ranking. It offered the student financial support of $64,000 a year.

Passion for astrophysics

In childhood, Quan was curious about natural phenomena in the universe. “Why are there constellations?” “Where do shooting stars come from?” These were questions that Quan wanted to answer.

Quan scored first in the entrance exam for the math major class at the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, and the exam for the chemistry major class at the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences.

The great achievements were why Quan’s friends called him superman.

Le Manh Cuong, his physics teacher, discovered Quan’s special love for constellations in the sky. Though astronomy and astrophysics was not a subject in the general education program, he decided to help Quan learn about it.

Later, it was the teacher who sent Quan to the national astrophysics team to attend the international competition. In 2019, Quan attended the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) and won a gold medal with maximum scores.

After returning from the international competition, Quan began seeking an environment where he could study and conduct research.

He believed that leading schools such as MIT and Princeton would offer favorable conditions for students’ creativity, learning and promotion of their abilities, especially with the advice of leading professors in their fields.

Quan applied to the two schools because they are among a small number of schools that choose international students based on their abilities, not on candidates’ financial capability.

Quan had a strong profile when applying for the schools. The physics major had a 1600/1600 SAT and 8.0 IELTS. He twice won first prize in physics at the national competition for excellent students, when he was in the 11th and 12th grades.

Quan attended many national and international competitions and won a lot of medals, including the gold medal at the 2018 International Youth Science Olympia and gold medal at 2019 IOAA, gold medal at 2020 European Physics Olympiad.

The medals were not really made of gold, but from sweat during training, according to Quan. He said hopes he will have the chance to attend the International Physics Olympiad this year.

Thuy Nga – Huu Chanh – Phuong Thu

DX Day 2021 to focus on eight priority fields in digital transformation

April 18, 2021 by vietnamnet.vn

Digital transformation progress in eight priority fields under the national digital transformation initiative will be discussed at the 2021 Vietnam Digital Transformation Day (DX Day 2021) slated for May 26-27 in Hanoi.

DX Day 2021 to focus on eight priority fields in digital transformation

At the event, more than 3,000 delegates are to exchange views and share information and IT solutions, as well as bolster supply-demand in fields applying digital technology, in a bid to promote digital transformation in agencies, organisations, firms and the national economy.

Themed “National Digital Transformation: Sharing and Connecting”, there will be an online conference on new digital platforms and solutions in Vietnam.

The 13th National Party Congress defined that science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation serve as a cornerstone for rapid and sustainable development in the socio-economic development strategy for 2021-2030.

The Vietnam DX Day was first held last year with the same theme and attracted 2,000 delegates.

VNA

Vicostone eyes 20 per cent revenue growth in 2021

April 18, 2021 by bizhub.vn

Vicostone’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting 2021 took place in Ha Noi late last week. — Photo courtesy of the company

Vicostone Joint Stock Company, member of Phenikaa Group, is targeting 20.1 per cent and 15.1 per cent in net revenue and pre-tax profit respectively to nearly VND6.8 trillion (US$292 million) and VND1.9 trillion ($83 million) in 2021.

These figures were announced at the company’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting 2021 held in the capital late last week. The shareholders attending the meeting hold more than 143 million shares, representing 89.64 per cent of the total voting shares.

The company will focus on enhancing research and development activities to create new products, improving market competitiveness based on the advantage in science and technology while expanding production and better control expenses.

Top priority will also be given to connecting other members in the Phenikaa Ecosystem for added values and benefit and broadening the culture and values as well as balancing the interests among all stakeholders.

Vicostone earned VND5.66 trillion worth of total net revenue and VND1.67 trillion worth of pre-tax profit tax in 2020.

Last year, it sought further penetration in new markets in addition to existing ones such as North America, Europe and Asia. The exploration of new markets helped strengthen the presence of Vicostone in more than 50 markets across the world.

In 2020, Vicostone became the third largest engineered countertop supplier to the global market, according to the US research firm Freedonia, and that was a strong confirmation and recognition of VICOSTONE® in both domestic and international markets.

Thanks to the postive business performance, Vicostone planned to distribute a 40 per cent dividend for 2020, including cash and bonus shares, to fulfill its commitment to the shareholders. — VNS