Speakers at the event support the concept of training students early the tools needed to start a business. — Photo petrotimes.vn

HÀ NỘI — Academic institutions should collaborate with businesses to shorten the gap between innovation, entrepreneurship and science research, a workshop heard on Tuesday.

Speakers at the event ‘Connecting Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Science and Technology’ supported the concept of training students early the tools needed to start a business.

According to Mandy Nguyễn Nhã Quyên, director of Ecosystem Development Start-up Việt Nam Foundation, the start-up ecosystem consists of investors, consultants, researchers and students.

“Eighty per cent of Vietnamese start-ups are business driven, which means they start up their businesses following existing models to meet demand,” said Quyên.

“Only 20 per cent are innovation-driven, which starts from doing research and studying technology to making products.

“These products themselves create advantage of competitiveness for Vietnamese start-ups. Innovation-driven start-ups must start from researchers and universities.”

Joanna Wood, Education Counsellor of the Australian Embassy said the Industry 4.0’s research shows 40 per cent add to global GDP by 2030 – but a new way of working and collaborating is required to maximise benefits.

“It requires governments, institutions, industry and the community to work together if we want to make the most of this opportunity,” she said.

Associate Professor Bùi Đức Thọ, deputy rector of the National Economics University said to enhance the start-up spirit in Việt Nam, the National Economics University established an innovation centre with domestic and international co-operation activities. The university also opened a major in start-up and business and has paid attention to carrying out research.

“Innovation and science technology are not separate sectors. If they stick together, start-up ideas will have more chances of success and research will be soon applied to practice,” he said.

Phạm Hồng Quất, head of National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development, Ministry of Science and Technology proposed Việt Nam should create mechanisms and grant autonomy to universities in terms of start-up investment.

Associate Professor Trần Xuân Tú, head of Department of Science, Technology and International Relations of University of Engineering and Technology under Việt Nam National University - Hà Nội, said government should offer assistance and call for investment from businesses to develop start-ups at universities, he said.

The workshop was co-organised by the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam and Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology within Skills and Innovation Week which runs from October 8 to 11.

The week is an opportunity for policy makers, knowledge institutes, associations and enterprises to discuss challenges in developing the Vietnamese innovation system and to learn more about best practices from Australia in encouraging economic growth through innovation. — VNS