Fostering global innovation begins in Vietnam
In a bid to strengthen Vietnam's innovation system, Australia has launched the Aus4Innovation (A4I) program - a 10-year, $33.5 million government-funded initiative. The aim is to foster inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development in Vietnam [1][2].
One significant outcome of this partnership is the establishment of a Horticulture Innovation Club under A4I. This collaboration between the Vietnamese company Phong Thuy and the Institute of Agriculture Science for Southern Vietnam has provided Phong Thuy with access to research and joint R&D projects, fostering the adoption of novel farming techniques and contributing to sustainable high-tech horticulture [1]. Hundreds of farmers in the region and from the Mekong Delta have benefited from these knowledge exchanges.
The A4I program also introduces advanced policy evaluation tools and progress monitoring methods, supported in part by experts from CSIRO, Australia's leading scientific agency. CSIRO brings its cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence and innovation management to help Vietnam design and evaluate innovation policies that integrate economic, social, and environmental factors [2][3].
Pham Duc Nghiem, the Deputy Director of NATEC, sees three clear barriers to innovation: a lack of awareness, inadequate legal and regulatory framework, and limited infrastructure and technological adoption capabilities of enterprises. Innovation brokers, who work across disciplines to connect companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, end-users, educators, products, services, potential partners and more, are playing a crucial role in overcoming these barriers [4].
Vietnam's National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation (NATEC) is working with CSIRO and Australia to break down these barriers. The Commercialisation PLUS guide, co-developed and tested by CSIRO and Vietnamese partners, provides comprehensive tools and methods supporting researchers through a structured commercialisation process within Vietnam's context [5].
Vietnam's research sector must not only have capability in science but also in engaging with the private sector. Dr Ha Phuong Thu, an expert in biomedical nanomaterials, explains the full innovation process from the researcher perspective, including idea development, research, technology development and optimization, patent protection, and seeking partnerships with businesses for market development [6].
Researchers in Vietnam can now undertake riskier research projects as they no longer need to return funding if their experiments fail to deliver expected outcomes. This shift is a testament to Vietnam's commitment to fostering innovation and encouraging risk-taking [7].
The A4I program takes 5 to 10 years to form concrete partnerships. However, the robust bilateral agreements and excellent diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam lay a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in science, technology, and innovation in the future [1][2].
As Vietnam navigates increasingly extreme environmental challenges, its innovation system will play a key role in how it adapts to protect food production and promote sustainable development [8]. With Australia's support, Vietnam is well-positioned to meet these challenges and continue its journey towards a more innovative and sustainable future.
References: [1] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2021). Aus4Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.dfat.gov.au/what-we-do/partnerships/development/innovation/Pages/aus4innovation.aspx [2] CSIRO. (2021). Aus4Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Innovation/Collaboration/International/Aus4Innovation [3] Aus4Innovation. (2021). Commercialisation PLUS. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Innovation/Collaboration/International/Aus4Innovation/Commercialisation-PLUS [4] Innovation brokers. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.innovationbrokers.org/ [5] Commercialisation PLUS. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Innovation/Collaboration/International/Aus4Innovation/Commercialisation-PLUS [6] Jasmine Fellows & Kate Langford. (2021). Fostering innovation in Vietnam: A partnership with Australia. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Innovation/Collaboration/International/Aus4Innovation/Fostering-innovation-in-Vietnam [7] Vietnam enacts policies to encourage riskier research. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.vietnamnet.vn/en/features/vietnam-enacts-policies-to-encourage-riskier-research-724899.html [8] Vietnam's innovation system key to navigating environmental challenges. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.vietnamplus.vn/vietnams-innovation-system-key-to-navigating-environmental-challenges/197182.vnp
Science and finance intersect in the A4I program's introduction of advanced policy evaluation tools, made possible by experts from CSIRO who bring their expertise in artificial intelligence and innovation management to help Vietnam develop and evaluate innovation policies.
Business, technology, and education-and-self-development are all addressed through the Commercialisation PLUS guide, a comprehensive tool co-developed and tested by CSIRO and Vietnamese partners, which supports researchers in Vietnam through a structured commercialisation process within the Vietnamese context.
