The main objective of this research is to clarify the role of the scientific and technological information stations as “digital bridges” among regions in Dong Nai province. As mentioned in the introduction and background, the researcher decided to conduct this study with the following purposes. | VNU Journal of Science: Policy and Management Studies, Vol. 31, No. 2 (2016) 15-33 Bridging the Digital Divide – The Role of the Scientific and Technological Information Stations in Rural Areas of Dong Nai Province Bo Göransson1, Doan Dai Ngoc Diep2,* 1 2 Research Policy Institute, Lund University, . Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden Department of Science and Technology, 1597 Pham Van Thuan, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai Received 15 January 2016 Revised 2 March 2016; Accepted 23 June 2016 Abtract: The result of this study showed that the scientific and technological stations (stations in short) play a pivotal role in rural development and experiences of these stations could be replicated in many other places. These stations have made the considerable achievements in enhancing socioeconomic development and functioned as a common platform for the rural areas. These stations have formed a network of the scientific and technological information in rural areas and helped improve the quality of human life. Great achievements from these stations proved their role as “bridging the digital divide” between urban and rural areas in Dong Nai province and they help guarantee the sustainable development in these rural areas of Dong Nai Province in particular and in the whole country in general Keywords: Information technology and Communications (ICT), ICT4D, digital divide, scientific and technological information station, science and technology, rural development. 1. Introduction∗ economic development as well as sustainable and comprehensive development of each country. There is no denying for the fact that this development, to some extent, has narrowed the digital gap between different regions all over the world. Among 61 provinces in Vietnam, the Dong Nai province, is considered to be one of the most successful provinces in establishing and developing the network of the scientific and technological information stations at all communes, wards and towns in rural and remote .
