Implementing the policy of mobilizing young intellectuals to defense-economic units, on January 21, 2010, the Prime Minister issued Decision No.174/QD-TTg, assigning the Defense Ministry to carrying out the project “Sending young intellectuals to defense-economic units in the 2010-2020 period” (Project 174 in short). After that, the government decided extend the project until the end of 2030. Reportedly, by 2021, Project 174 had been implemented in 23 economic and defense-economic units nationwide.
According to Senior Colonel Bui Duy Quan, Head of Defense-Economic Unit 959, in this second phase of the 2021-2030 period, the unit has actively worked with functional units to build plans, disseminate information and select high-quality personnel, and implement Project 174 as scheduled.
Since 2010, 116 young intellectuals have been sent to Tan Hong district, Dong Thap province. Over the past 10 years, they have actively disseminated information, provided technical instruction on animal husbandry and cultivation, and helped local people transform the structure of livestock and crops, and apply scientific and technical advances to production and economic development.
They have also pioneered in implementing national target programs, participated in building infrastructure, and coordinated with local authorities to disseminate information and mobilize local people to follow the Party’s guidelines and policies and State laws, among others.
Dao Ngoc Bich, Vice Chairwoman of Tan Hong district People’s Committee, noted that the projects implemented by Defense-Economic Unit 959 have been supported and highly valued by local authorities and people. Young intellectuals have played a core role in the projects’ implementation. The projects have made contribution to building new-style rural area, building the “people’s heart” posture in border areas, socio-economic development, enhancing defense and security, and building defensive areas in border districts and provinces.
Second-in-command of Military Region 9 Major General Quach Van Nho affirmed that in order to raise the quality of Project 174 and promote the role of young intellectuals, the military region has directed Defense-Economic Unit 959 to improve the quality of management and operation of young intellectuals, and make recommendations to the local authorities to mobilize funds to implement projects and national targets programs on sustainable poverty reduction, and more.
Translated by Chung Anh