On 8th November, the Ministry of Science and Technology and Australian Government held Innovation Showcase in the framework of the APEC 2017 to announce the bilateral partnership between Vietnam and Australia, declaring that innovation is a new pillar strengthening their strategic partnership, and committing to invest AUD 10M in 4 years for the Aus4Innovation program in Vietnam. Ms. Julie Bishop - Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia) and Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh - Minister of Science and Technology (Vietnam) hosted the event.
The showcase was also attended by Mr. Craig Chittick - Australian Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Pham Dai Duong - Deputy Minister of Science and Technology; officers of the Australian Embassy and Ministry of Science and Technology; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and enterprises and organizations in the field of innovation in Vietnam as well as media units.
In his opening speech, Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh - Minister of Science and Technology said: “The Australian Government supports the Vietnamese Government to formulate and develop a national innovation system and to pilot projects in key fields of Australia’s strength. We have identified key areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, thereby promoting economic benefits as well as modernizing these areas, securing employment in the context of the fourth industrial revolution”. In addition, the Minister made a commitment that MOST would exert the best efforts for cooperation in science and technology between the two countries to achieve the upmost results and expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government, Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Ms. Julie Bishop, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam - Craig Chittick and other participants.
*Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh delivering his opening speech. Photo: VCIC
“It is my pleasure to be here and witness all the technical advances developed in Vietnam. I believe that our focus in the near future is to support Vietnam in responding to the future uncertainties with the emphasis on innovation.”, said Ms. Julie Bishop - Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “I have also seen a number of impressive examples through technological demonstration booths of enterprises. For example, the smart streetlighting system is a remarkable technological product to help our city operate more efficiently, thereby contributing to the national prosperity. In addition, there are some other products such as the solution to raise and control the quality of shrimp or the application of artificial intelligence to change the educational awareness. This plays a vital role in our partnership on innovation.”
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of Department Foreign Affairs and Trade Julie Bishop addressing the event. Photo: VCIC
At the event, Ms. Julie Bishop - Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh - Minister of Science and Technology Vietnam announced the partnership on innovation in Vietnam and the Aus4Innovation program. In particular, Aus4Innovation provides a grant of AUD 10M for targeted activities to boost Vietnam’s innovation potentials and strengthen Vietnam’s innovation system.
Also, senior officials visited the technology demonstration booths, including the Smart Street Light - a roadshow of the future - demo by S3 Technology, one of the enterprises awarded “the 2nd Vietnam Climate Innovation Startups” by VCIC in October 2017.
*Senior officials taking photos after the announcement of Vietnam-Australia partnership on innovation. Photo: VCIC
S3’s product is the smart street lighting system using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to modernize public lighting system, saving electricity consumption from 40 to 70%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to energy consumption, and contributing to anti-climate change. Apart from reducing light pollution and enhancing the lighting safety in urban areas, the technology solution also helps build up communication infrastructure for intelligent control, thereby implement value-added services (such as intelligent transports, real-time bus management system, environmental pollution alert, smart advertisement, traffic forecasting system, etc.), all contributing to develop smart cities.
The determination Ministry of Science and Technology has been shown through the commitment of the Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh to develop the national innovation system with the support of the Australian Government, promising to bring many opportunities for businesses and subjects of innovation field in Vietnam.
*Senior officials taking photos after the announcement of Vietnam-Australia partnership on innovation. Photo: VCIC
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Box: VCIC, under the management of Ministry of Science and Technology and supported by Australian government and the UK’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provides financial assistance, capacity building and consulting services for entrepreneurs and enterprises in 5 key areas: Energy efficiency, information technology, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and water resource management, with the aim of turning climate change challenges into business opportunities.
20 September 2017, VCIC awarded “2017 Vietnam Climate Innovation Startup” to 21 outstanding units participating in the 2nd Proof of Concept.
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