Vietnam – Australia promote technology and innovation cooperation

Over the years, Vietnam's science, technology, and innovation have achieved significant progress and outstanding accomplishments, making practical contributions to the country's industrialization and modernization efforts, strengthening national defense and security, improving social welfare and quality of life, and supporting sustainable socio-economic development.

The Global Innovation Index 2024 report shows that Vietnam has continued to rise, advancing two ranks from the previous year to 44th out of 133 countries and economies, with three indicators leading globally. For 14 consecutive years, Vietnam’s innovation performance has consistently exceeded its level of development.

Earlier this year, Vietnam and Australia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening up numerous cooperation opportunities for both countries. Therefore, this workshop plays an essential role in concretizing the cooperative directions between the two nations and fostering connections among agencies, businesses, and scientists to exchange and share experiences in addressing today’s global challenges, such as climate change adaptation, water security, and green development through science and technology.

Regarding smart city development, according to a 2022 report from the Ministry of Construction, 48 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam have implemented smart urban development projects. In this context, Australia, with its achievements in science, technology, and innovation, has successfully addressed similar challenges, and promoting collaboration between the two countries is expected to offer valuable lessons and practical solutions for Vietnam.

On November 1-2, in Hanoi, the international workshop titled “Promoting Technological Cooperation and Innovation between Vietnam and Australia” took place. Organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, the workshop aims to boost collaborative efforts between the two countries in addressing global challenges with science, technology, and innovation solutions, including climate change, water security, and smart city development.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, spoke at the workshop. (Photo: Internet)

During the workshop, a cooperation agreement was signed between the University of Technology Sydney and Hanoi University of Science and Technology to promote joint research activities and expert exchange, strengthening science, technology, and innovation for the sustainable development of both countries.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh emphasized that the Party and the Government of Vietnam recognize science, technology, and innovation as playing a crucial and special mission in driving growth, as a decisive factor in enhancing national competitiveness. Currently, Vietnam is focused on refining mechanisms and policies to foster the development of the national innovation system, particularly those related to technology advancement and controlled testing of new technologies, products, and business models.

Andrew Parfitt, President of the University of Technology Sydney, expressed his pleasure over the signing of the cooperation agreement between the University of Technology Sydney and Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He noted that this partnership would be a key to promoting artificial intelligence (AI) for the mutual development of both countries, especially for Vietnam’s domestic industry.

The workshop aimed to promote innovation cooperation between Vietnam and Australia – Photo: VGP/Hoang Giang.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh also shared that Vietnam is currently focusing on refining mechanisms and policies to boost the development of the national innovation system, particularly those related to technology advancement and the controlled testing of new technologies, products, and business models.

The Australian and Vietnamese governments have identified innovation as a new pillar in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the enhancement of bilateral relations. In recent years, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, especially in science, technology, and innovation, have flourished.

At the beginning of 2024, the elevation of the two countries' relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opened up numerous cooperation opportunities. Today’s event holds significant importance in concretizing cooperation directions between the two countries, fostering connections among agencies, businesses, universities, research institutions, and experts to exchange and share experiences in addressing current global challenges such as climate change adaptation, water security, and green development based on science, technology, and innovation.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam will strive to create favorable conditions and encourage the participation of the scientific community, businesses, universities, research institutes, and international partners in science, technology, and innovation activities.