Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Andrew Goledzinowski, Executive Director of Growth at CSIRO Jonathan Law, Minister of Science and Technology Huỳnh Thành Đạt and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bùi Thế Duy at the “Việt Nam-Australia Innovation Partnership Day” in Hà Nội. — Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam and Australia's national science agency – CSIRO – on Friday organised a “Việt Nam-Australia Innovation Partnership Day” in Hà Nội.

The event showcases achievements that Việt Nam and Australia have made thanks to their cooperation in the innovation field. 

Since 2018, the Australian Government has helped Việt Nam develop an innovation ecosystem through its flagship Aus4Innovation programme. Australia recently announced that the Aus4Innovation programme will be extended to 2028, making it a 10-year commitment with a total budget of AUD 33.5 million (US$22.17 million).

Speaking at the event, Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Andrew Goledzinowski said the two countries’ innovation cooperation is substantial, efficient, and full of trust. It happens at all levels – individual, institution, and government, and proves to be enduring.

“As our two countries are working towards upgrading our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we will continue to deepen our cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and knowledge and innovation,” he said.

Huỳnh Thành Đạt, Minister of Science and Technology said that the partnership with Australia, through the Aus4Innovation programme, has delivered tangible, significant results that are having substantial positive impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people.

With the introduction of the strategy for the development of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Việt Nam until 2030, the country affirms the pivotal role of STI in addressing emerging economic, societal and institutional challenges.

Đạt said that MoST is working hard to meet the goals set by the strategy; and knowing that in that process, it will have the support of a trusted partner like Australia to achieve much more in the next five years, and beyond.

Some projects of Aus4Innovation program were exhibited in a showcase and tech demo. — Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam

CSIRO’s Executive Director of Growth Jonathan Law said that the next phase of the Aus4Innovation programme will build upon the solid foundations already established.

Over the next five years, the programme will put a stronger focus on areas of Việt Nam’s priorities, such as resilient agriculture and food, as well as introducing appropriate interventions for the digital era, including responsible artificial intelligence, he said.

After five years in operation across 37 provinces in Việt Nam, the Aus4Innovation programme has laid the foundation for 82 partnerships between Australian and Vietnamese universities, research agencies, high-tech businesses, and policy makers; established a pool of 875 trainers and experts through capacity building activities; and contributed to national policies on science, technology and innovation, as well as developed practical tools for innovation policy development to help contribute to a more enabling environment. — VNS