Sowing the seeds of science from a national aspiration

As the 14th National Party Congress sets out historic decisions that place knowledge, science and technology, and human capital at the center of national development strategy, STEM education is increasingly recognized as a foundational pillar in preparing the workforce for a new phase of growth, the era of technology and innovation.

The program “The Lifeblood of Knowledge - STEM Innovation Petrovietnam” is affirming the pioneering role of a state-owned enterprise in translating policy decisions on educational reform and high-quality human resource development into concrete, systematic and in-depth action.

Held on January 29 in Hanoi, the event brought together Le Manh Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Acting Minister of Industry and Trade; Le Ngoc Son, Chairman of the Members’ Council of the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group; leaders of the Party and State; representatives of central and local ministries and agencies; leaders of the Group and its member units; along with students and university learners.

Addressing the program, Le Ngoc Son emphasized that across multiple locations nationwide, people were connected not merely by technology, but by a shared aspiration, the aspiration to sow the seeds of science, technology and innovation for the country’s future. In many disadvantaged localities, STEM classrooms are illuminated not only by modern equipment, but also by students’ eagerness, teachers’ dedication and society’s confidence in Vietnam’s younger generation.

According to Le Ngoc Son, stemming from General Secretary To Lam’s direction on fundamentally renewing education and developing high-quality human resources, the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group reflected deeply on a central question: What can a national industrial and energy group do to ignite knowledge and inspire the younger generation? From this reflection, under the decisive direction of Le Manh Hung, then Chairman of the Group and the collective leadership of the Group, the “STEM Innovation Petrovietnam” program was implemented with a strong sense of responsibility and determination.

The most compelling evidence lies in the fact that within just 100 days and nights, the Group completed the construction of 100 STEM classrooms across 34 provinces and cities, on the eve of the 2026 New Year. From major urban centers to remote and disadvantaged areas, all classrooms follow a unified model that meets international standards of quality. Yet, as the Chairman of the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group underscored, the core value of the program does not lie in the number 100, but in the long-term and sustainable impacts it delivers for students, schools and society at large.

Investing in STEM is investing in the nation’s future

For students, STEM classrooms provide opportunities to engage with science and technology through hands-on experience, transforming each lesson from passive knowledge acquisition into a journey of exploration and creativity. For teachers, they serve as essential tools to renew teaching methods and integrate scientific thinking and creativity into every lesson.

From a broader perspective, the program is widely regarded as a strategic investment in the nation’s future an investment directed at building high-quality human resources capable of meeting the demands of the digital era and technological transformation.

To ensure that STEM classrooms truly come to life and deliver lasting effectiveness, Le Ngoc Son expressed his desire to continue partnering with the Ministry of Education and Training on two key priorities.

First, he proposed that the Ministry provide guidance on assessing the actual effectiveness and utilization of STEM classrooms at the local level, thereby establishing a basis for refining the model and developing a roadmap for scaling up, while avoiding the waste of social resources.

Second, the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group committed to working alongside the education sector to organize annual STEM competitions and activities, fostering an environment in which students can nurture their passion and gradually bring Vietnamese intellect to regional and international arenas.

Reaffirming a long-term vision, the Chairman of the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group stated: “We don’t merely build classrooms, we aim to create a STEM ecosystem in which the flame of scientific passion can continue to spread. We regard investment in education as a responsibility of a key national economic group.”

From STEM classrooms illuminated each day, from practical sessions where students experiment, pose questions and seek answers, “STEM Innovation Petrovietnam” embodies a sustained and vibrant journey. It reflects an evolving educational mindset in which science is familiar, technology accessible and creativity nurtured through lived learning experiences.

When a state-owned enterprise such as the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group proactively pioneers STEM educational infrastructure, it is, in essence, an investment of confidence in the future generation. A generation of students will grow up equipped with scientific thinking, technological capacity and the aspiration to contribute to national development. From this foundation, STEM education is no longer an abstract concept, but a living component of a long-term development trajectory where today’s seeds can mature into the driving force of tomorrow’s innovation.