In 2023, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, all staff and employees of the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering (NARIME) successfully fulfilled the targets, maintained, developed, and expanded activities in science and technology, economy, and training. In 2023, the Institute's total revenue reached 2,007 billion VND, exceeding the plan by 67.2%.

Effectiveness of Linking Science and Technology Research with Economic Activities 

In 2023, the socio-economic situation in the world and domestically continued to be affected by the aftermath of COVID-19 and geopolitical conflicts; the domestic economy slowed down, significantly impacting the Institute's scientific research and production-business activities. However, through various measures, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering overcame difficulties and challenges and achieved many outstanding accomplishments.

In 2023, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering continued to maintain sustainable operations with science and technology (S&T) research directions linked to economic activities in the fields of thermal power, bauxite, and cement, while also opening new development directions in gas power, solar power, renewable energy, smart warehouses, chemical industry equipment, etc., building a reputation and brand with domestic and international customers.

Regarding S&T activities, in 2023, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering developed S&T projects at various levels. The projects closely followed the State's major economic programs and the Institute's operational orientation, such as: coal-fired thermal power equipment, solar power, technology and production lines for bauxite-aluminum, industrial waste treatment; manufacturing new or replacing/restoring equipment in the cement, chemical industries, etc. In general, the quality of the thematic studies and projects organized for acceptance in 2023 was assessed as meeting requirements.

Regarding economic activities, as of December 28, 2023, revenue reached over 2,007 billion VND, achieving 162.7% of the annual plan. The units that met or exceeded the targets were: the Centers for Heavy Machinery, Industrial Inspection and Engineering, and Machine Manufacturing Technology Design.

The design units and affiliated units made great efforts in 2023. Due to the general difficulties, the Centers achieved an average of over 60% of the assigned plan; however, some units opened up development directions based on their own research, such as the Heavy Machinery Center with jigs for electric vehicle production lines, the Pressure Processing Center with equipment systems for ship repair, the Mechanical Manufacturing Center with smart warehouses, and the Technology Center with equipment for the petroleum and chemical industries, etc.

Affiliated units such as the Key Laboratory for Welding Technology and Surface Treatment made remarkable progress, exceeding 216% of the plan; other indicators such as scientific articles and publications, and average income, all met or exceeded the committed targets. In addition, the Laboratory proactively participated in projects with external units such as the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to enhance capacity and strengthen connections. The Sub-Institute in Ho Chi Minh City also gradually developed and expanded cooperation in S&T and economy in the Southern region.

These results were achieved because, over the past period, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering invested funds and oriented its research centers to focus deeply on certain areas/equipment of new energy, mineral exploitation, chemicals, and robotics to create distinct strengths, and now several centers have developed stably.

Regarding training activities, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering has built upon the good results of previous years; however, it is still necessary to strengthen the development of curricula and lecture materials for doctoral courses as approved by the Ministry of Education and Training, while continuing to perfect standards for training work suitable to the new situation.

The Institute's organization and management work in 2023 focused on continuing to implement and refine management under the existing model and gradually adjust the operating mechanism to comply with Decree 60/2021/ND-CP stipulating financial autonomy mechanisms for public service units.

The Institute developed and submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade the project on the Development Strategy of the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering for the 2023-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, which clearly outlines the orientation for S&T research and production-business in fields such as new and renewable energy, while continuing to promote strengths in hydropower, thermal power, mining and mineral processing, cement production, chemicals, etc. 

At the same time, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering has maintained good implementation of the quality management system according to ISO 9001:2015 and the environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015. It coordinated with QUACERT Conformity Certification Center to conduct surveillance assessment of the quality and environmental management systems in August 2023.

International cooperation tasks continued to be emphasized, promoted, and became increasingly effective. Along with that, conditions were created to train and foster staff with foreign language skills to supplement human resources for large international cooperation projects. Training and retraining classes were organized to improve qualifications and update knowledge for staff to approach new fields according to the Institute's development orientation.

Maintaining and Developing Competitive Advantage Fields 

Regarding S&T activities, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering always identifies S&T as the core focus. The effectiveness achieved in economic activities is based on the foundation of scientific and technological research. The Institute advocates linking S&T research with the country's key socio-economic programs. In the coming year, the Institute will continue to organize deeper research in the fields of gas thermal power, new energy, renewable energy, and automation to ensure the Institute has a competitive advantage in technology, while building its reputation in the market and focusing resources on projects when needed. To meet the above requirements, the proposal of State-level and Ministry-level S&T projects/topics in the 2024-2030 period must ensure practical and effective objectives according to the actual and future needs of domestic and foreign industries.

Regarding production and business activities, in 2024, the Institute's production and business focus will be on key areas such as: design and supply of equipment for thermal power plants, solar power plants, equipment systems for mining and processing of minerals - bauxite, chemicals, jigs and equipment for automobile and motorcycle manufacturing, smart warehouses, etc. Continue to maintain, consolidate, and develop traditional business areas such as supplying spare parts, warranty and maintenance services for thermal power, hydropower, cement, chemical plants, etc.

Prepare resources in artificial intelligence technology and digital transformation as well as technology lines of industrial factories, and on that basis, apply them in practice for consulting and implementing upgrades and digital transformation for monitoring, control systems, etc. of industrial plants.

Gradually approach and expand activities in designing and supplying synchronous equipment lines; equipment and spare parts for new industries and fields, from agricultural production to high-tech product manufacturing domestically, with a view toward export.

Regarding training activities, continue to maintain and expand specialized training courses in automation technology, welding technology and surface treatment, etc., while combining and linking training with domestic and international institutions to train PhDs and Masters of Engineering in Mechanics - Automation.

>>Renewable Energy - New Direction of NARIME

Source: Industry and Trade Magazine