The Second Prize was exclusively awarded to the MyVietnam.net product developed by the MyVietnam team (Ho Chi Minh City), which includes two members, Nguyen Ngoc Minh and Nguyen Huu Mai. This announcement was made during the award ceremony of the Vietnam Talent Contest 2005 held on the evening of November 20 at the Giang Vo Exhibition Center, Hanoi.
The Second Prize comes with a cash reward of 70 million VND and a CMS computer worth 10 million VND. Four Third Prizes, each worth 25 million VND, were awarded to the following products: the RADLib graphic application development library by team BK02, the IP switchboard system for enterprise networks and cultural points represented by Bui Quang Do, the train speed display and control system by author Tran Thi Thu Huong, a lecturer at the University of Transport and Communications, and the ERP Solution – Comprehensive Business Management based on the ERP model by A-Z Company.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem presents the Second Prize to the MyVietnam team. Photo: B.D
The Encouragement Prize of 20 million VND was awarded to the author group (led by Do Viet Ha) for their product titled the Software System for Administrative Unit Support at the Ward and Commune Level. Additionally, there were 10 minor prizes awarded by the organizing committee.
“Those standing on the shoulders of giants have yet to emerge!”
Holding the victory trophy as the head of the contest, Nguyen Huu Mai from MyVietnam expressed his overwhelming happiness: “We are incredibly surprised by this award. For many years, we have studied, worked, and contributed to the Java Vietnam community together. Therefore, this is not just an award for us; it is an encouragement for us to continue our contributions. After this contest, the Java Vietnam community will definitely have a grand offline event!…”.
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Nguyen Ngoc Minh and Nguyen Huu Mai celebrating their victory. Photo: B.D |
Thus, exactly one year after the contest was launched (November 20, 2004), the 2005 Vietnam Talent Award ceremony – organized by VDC, Vietnam Television, and the Education and Society Newspaper – has concluded. A total of 174 hardware and software products were submitted by 414 contestants (including 58 female contestants), with 14 products reaching the final round, yet no First Prize was awarded. Why is that?
Professor Nguyen Van Hieu explained: “The individuals and groups who participated were all proactive, creative, and made significant efforts, but the products lacked high scientific and technical content and did not adopt the world’s most advanced technologies. IT is a promising field that can help Vietnam develop. However, even the best product in this contest cannot compare with the regional level or with the products currently being sold in the Vietnamese market.”
Mr. Nguyen Long, Secretary General of the Vietnam Information Technology Association (VAIP) and a member of the judging panel, offered a unique perspective by comparing IT to a giant: “The Vietnam Talent Contest 2005 featured many practical applications and well-developed products, but those standing on the shoulders of giants in IT have yet to emerge. I hope that Vietnamese people, especially the youth, will continue to strive so that talented individuals can reach international standards.”
Previously, from November 1 to 18, the judging panel, consisting of 9 members led by Professor Nguyen Van Hieu, conducted the final round evaluation for the 14 products from contestants and teams from the three regions: North, Central, and South. The judging panel assessed the products on a maximum score of 100 based on four criteria: Effectiveness, Practicality and Popularity, Scientific Creativity, and Completeness.
The organizing committee stated that the distinguishing feature of this contest compared to other ICT competitions was the emphasis on the practical applicability of products as well as their “openness,” allowing for the participation of products that had entered any previous contests. For example, we received a registration from a DSP product that won First Prize in the HCMC Scientific and Technological Innovation Contest 2003 and Second Prize in the VIFOTEC 2004 contest.”
The organizing committee also announced on the contest website that to assist contestants in registering their products for the Vietnam Talent Contest 2005, the law firm Dao and Associates will provide free legal consulting services related to intellectual property rights for the contest entries.
Insights from Participants
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Pham Huu Ngon (BK02 team) receiving the Third Prize. Photo: B.D |
VietNamNet reporters captured the statements of those involved in organizing the contest and spoke with several contestants of the Vietnam Talent Contest 2005 before the final results were announced. Notably, contestants Pham Huu Ngon (from BK02 team) and Nguyen Ngoc Minh (from MyVietnam team) both made predictions about their products, yet both… missed, as their products ultimately won the highest awards.
– Professor Nguyen Van Hieu, Chairman of the Judging Panel: “All scientific research topics must ultimately achieve the goal of bringing economic and social benefits to the country or to enterprises and individuals. The Vietnam Talent Contest has a very clear objective. The awarded products will certainly be applied relatively widely and effectively, either for economic efficiency for enterprises or for social benefits for the country.”
– Mr. Pham Huy Hoan, Head of the Organizing Committee: “Some organizations seeking talents in Vietnam have announced their willingness to sponsor the awarded products, including: the Computing and Data Communication Company (VDC), the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), Big Link group in Ho Chi Minh City, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Cisco Vietnam, and several other companies… This is the first time ICT companies have announced their desire to support potential products right before the contest.”
– Pham Huu Ngon (team leader of BK02 with the RADLib graphic application development library): “This product of mine is the most complete compilation of products I have participated in previous contests, including VSpeech (Top 14 Vietnamese Intelligence Products 2004) and the Imagine Cup 2004 in Brazil (where it ranked fifth in graphics with the product 3DProS). Having some “battle experience,” I still found myself running out of time during the final presentation as I was too focused on demoing the product. I appreciate the “openness” of this contest, which allows anyone with a relatively complete product from any field to participate. However, fewer students and young people advanced to this final round compared to other contests. The product I liked the most was the Vietnam Natural Environment project in the “top 14.” It’s a dynamic dictionary about nature created by Minh Tuan, who is in 10th grade in Singapore. At my age, I doubt I could have achieved something like that… As for my product, I predict the judging panel will award… a scholarship because “he’s young and has plenty of time to improve!”
– Nguyen Ngoc Minh from the MyVietnam team with the product MyVietnam.net: “Our product this time is quite different from the one that won Second Prize in the Vietnamese Intelligence Contest 2003. Back then, it was an independent forum solution, mvnForum, but now it has evolved into the MyVietnam.net portal, and we have rewritten 50% of the source code. I hope this product will win… Third Prize (as I think the other products are quite strong!). However, we have already achieved an award in the software contest and subsequently earned the title of IT Knight for our contributions to the community – which means a lot to us. I believe this contest is “open,” but the level of “openness” could be higher. The organizing committee needs to have more flexible regulations and guidelines for contestants…”
Bui Dung
