Circular No. 34/2011/TT-BKHCN guiding the awarding work in the field of science and technology

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for awarding commendations in the field of science and technology

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Pursuant to Decree No. 28/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 14, 2008, promulgated by the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues guidelines for awarding commendations in the field of science and technology as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the principles, subjects, criteria, files, authority, and procedures for awarding the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Science and Technology; and the Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Individuals and organizations under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Individuals and organizations under the Provincial Departments of Science and Technology.

3. Individuals and organizations under other ministries, sectors, and localities that have made contributions in the field of science and technology.

4. Individuals and scientific and technological organizations belonging to all economic sectors.

5. Vietnamese individuals and organizations abroad and foreign individuals and organizations in Vietnam who have made significant contributions to the field of science and technology.

Điều 3. Nguyên tắc khen thưởng

1. Commendations must ensure accuracy, transparency, fairness, and timeliness based on the correct assessment of the work performance of organizations and individuals.

2. Ensure consistency between the nature, form, and recipients of commendations.

3. Closely combine spiritual encouragement with material incentives.

4. A single form of commendation may be awarded multiple times to the same recipient for different achievements.

Chapter II

CRITERIA, FILES AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING THE FLAG OF EXCELLENCE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Article 4. Commendation Criteria

1. The Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Science and Technology is awarded annually to organizations under the Ministry and Provincial Departments of Science and Technology that meet the following criteria:

a) Exceeding the assigned competition targets and tasks by the competent authority in the year; being outstanding among those recognized as "Outstanding Labor Collectives."

b) Having new factors and models for other collectives and regions to emulate.

c) Internal unity; actively practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and other vices; effectively implementing democratic regulations within the organization.

d) Being selected and honored by the Competition Group during the annual summary of the Competition Group (for units directly under the Ministry).

đ) Receiving the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Science and Technology or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province/city before the time of recommending the flag and having been considered for but not yet awarded the Flag of Excellence by the provincial/city committee in that year (for Provincial Departments of Science and Technology).

2. Awarded to outstanding units that effectively implement scientific and technological activities at their unit and locality (recognized by the competent authorities) and contribute results to the development of science and technology of the Ministry, sector, and locality.

Article 5. Files and Procedures for Recommending Commendations

1. Documents include:

a) Report on achievements of the collective recommended for commendation, confirmed and signed with seal by the Head of the agency.

b) Minutes of the meeting of the Competition and Commendation Council of the agency.

c) Proposal for commendation submitted by the Head of the agency.

d) Supporting documents:

- Confirmation document from the People's Committee of the province/city that has been awarded the Flag of Excellence of the province/city in the year of recommendation (for Provincial Departments of Science and Technology).

- Recommendation document from the Head of the Competition Group in the year of commendation (for units directly under the Ministry).

2. Procedures:

The file for recommending commendations shall be sent to the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry (through the Department of Competition and Commendation) at the following times:

a) For units directly under the Ministry, the recommendation document from the Head of the Competition Group shall be sent before December 25 each year.

b) For Provincial Departments of Science and Technology, the file shall be sent before January 5 each year.

Chapter III

CRITERIA, FILES AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING THE CERTIFICATE OF MERIT OF THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Article 6. Criteria for Awards

The Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Science and Technology is a form of recognition awarded to collectives and individuals who are considered for awards at the end of the annual work summary; those who achieve outstanding results during competition campaigns initiated by the Ministry; those with sudden outstanding achievements; exemplary models of good deeds that serve as role models within the industry; and those who have made outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology.

1. For collectives:

a) General criteria:

- Successfully completing assigned tasks (in accordance with plans, meeting quantity requirements, and achieving quality standards);

- Organizing research, providing advice, and proposing effective mechanisms and policies to promote the development of science and technology at the Ministry, sector, and local levels to serve economic and social development;

- Internal unity, actively participating in grassroots democratic regulations, and enthusiastically responding to competition campaigns;

- Clean and strong Party organizations and mass organizations.

b) Specific criteria for collectives under the Ministry of Science and Technology,

Science and Technology Management Departments at Ministries, agencies equivalent to Ministries, collectives under Provincial Departments, and Provincial Science and Technology Departments:

- Consistently achieving the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective" for two consecutive years;

- Effectively implementing state mechanisms, policies, and laws on science and technology management, including managing scientific and technological tasks led by units such as national-level scientific projects and other scientific and technological tasks;

- Efficiently managing scientific and technological activities in ministries, sectors, and localities, resulting in significant contributions to economic and social development;

- Advising and proposing major solutions and key scientific and technological tasks contributing substantially to economic and social development at the ministry/sector and local level.

c) Specific criteria for scientific and technological organizations:

- Conducting scientific research and technological development that yields high economic benefits, effectively combining scientific research with training and production;

- Leading and having at least one project at the Ministry or national level accepted as excellent;

2. For individuals:

a) General criteria:

- Successfully completing assigned tasks (in accordance with plans, meeting quantity requirements, and achieving quality standards) or achieving outstanding results;

- Having good moral character; being united, exemplary in following Party guidelines and state laws, and adhering to internal regulations;

- Actively enhancing professional knowledge and skills.

b) Specific criteria for individuals under the Ministry, under Provincial Science and Technology Departments:

Consistently achieving the title of "Model Worker" for two consecutive years.

c) Specific criteria for individuals making contributions in the field of science and technology outside the Ministry, sectors, and localities, in addition to general criteria, must meet one of the following criteria:

- Proposing technical improvements recognized at various levels for their significant economic and social benefits, worthy of being exemplary models in the industry and locality;

- Publishing scientific works in reputable domestic and international journals;

- Making significant contributions to the management of scientific and technological activities in the industry and locality, thereby positively impacting economic and social development;

- Producing scientific and technological products published and applied in production and daily life, yielding economic benefits.

Article 7. Documents and Procedures for Proposing Awards

1. The documents for cases proposing annual regular awards include:

a) A report on achievements (three copies) of the collective or individual proposed for award with confirmation, signature, and stamp of the Head of the agency;

b) Minutes of the meeting of the Competition and Commendation Council of the agency.

c) Proposal for commendation submitted by the Head of the agency.

d) An endorsement document.

In necessary cases, the Standing Committee of the Ministry's Competition and Award Council will establish the endorsement opinion of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities, Ministries, sectors, or main management units before the Ministry of Science and Technology's Competition and Award Council considers the award.

2. The documents for cases proposing extraordinary awards include:

a) A summary report on achievements (two copies) of the collective or individual proposed for award with confirmation, signature, and stamp of the Head of the agency or competent authorities;

b) A letter proposing the award from the Head of the agency (specifying the degree and scope of impact of the achieved results).

3. The proposal for award should be sent to the Ministry's Competition and Award Council (through the Department of Competition and Award):

a) For units under the Ministry before January 5th each year;

b) For Departments of Science and Technology before January 15th each year.

Chapter IV

AUTHORITY AND TIME FOR AWARDS CONSIDERATION

Article 8. Authority to Decide

Based on the results of the competition and award consideration meeting of the Ministry's Competition and Award Council, based on the proposal of the Standing Committee of the Competition and Award Council, the Minister of Science and Technology decides to present awards:

1. The Flag of Competition of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. The Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 9. Time for Award Consideration

1. The Ministry's Competition and Award Council meets to consider awards for competition titles at the end-of-year summary (for units under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the application documents for awards are stipulated in the Competition and Award Regulations of the Ministry).

2. The Ministry's Competition and Award Council meets to consider awards for Departments of Science and Technology at the beginning of February each year.

3. In case of emergency, the Council may convene an extraordinary meeting to consider awards.

Chapter V

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUALS AWARDED

Article 10. Responsibilities of the Collective and Individuals Involved

1. Individuals and collectives must be honest in declaring achievements for award proposals; if dishonesty is discovered, the decision will be revoked, rewards and money received will be reclaimed; depending on the nature and severity of the violation by the collective or individual, disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal responsibility will be pursued; if material damage is caused, compensation must be made according to regulations.

2. If the Head of the agency or organization confirms false information or falsifies documents to propose an award, they will be subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal responsibility depending on the nature and severity of the violation; if material damage is caused, compensation must be made according to regulations.

Article 11. Notification of Award Results

Within seven working days from the date of signing the Decision on Award, the unit responsible for assessing the award application must notify the award result to the unit proposing the award.

Article 12. Award Amounts and Award Funding

1. For units under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the award amount is regulated by Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government. The funding for awards is regulated in the Competition and Award Regulations of the Ministry.

2. For collectives and individuals receiving titles and forms of awards from the Ministry of Science and Technology as stipulated in Clauses 2 to 5 of Article 2, the award amounts are regulated by Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government. The funding for awards is sourced from the state budget; contributions from individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally; lawful income sources or the Competition and Award Fund managed by the unit proposing the award.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology's Competition and Award Council takes the lead and collaborates with relevant units under the Ministry to advise, inspect, and urge units under the Ministry, Departments of Science and Technology of provinces and centrally governed cities to implement this Circular.

2. The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Inspectorate of Departments of Science and Technology within their functions, tasks, and authority, conduct inspections on competition and award work in the field of science and technology, promptly advise and propose solutions to the Minister, Director of Departments of Science and Technology to resolve violations, complaints, and reports on competition and awards according to the law.

3. Ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for the time and content of the endorsement document when the Ministry of Science and Technology's Competition and Award Council requests opinions (clearly stating the content requiring endorsement); if the deadline for requesting endorsement is exceeded by ten working days and the agency requested does not respond with a reply document, the Ministry of Science and Technology will proceed with the award consideration.

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2012, and replaces Circular No. 17/2004/TT-BKHCN dated July 13, 2004, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on guiding competition and award work in the field of science and technology.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Competition and Award Council for review, amendment, supplementation, and completion of the Circular to ensure compliance./.