Hanoi (VNA) – Experience from Australia in innovation-based socio-economicdevelopment, and the difficulties in building an innovative ecosystem wereshared at a workshop in Hanoi on October 8.

The event was jointly held by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the Ministryof Science and Technology, and the National Economics University (NEU), as partof the Australian Embassy’s Skills and Innovation Week.

Speaking at the event, NEU vice director Bui Duc Tho revealed that in order to promoteentrepreneurship and innovation in Vietnam, the university has established aninnovative start-up centre with effective domestic and international cooperation.

He stressed the importance of close connections between renovation and scienceand technology, saying that this will contribute to the success of startupideas, and the application of these initiatives in practice.

Joanna Wood, Education Counsellor of the Australian Embassy, said her countryand Vietnam have a long-term and deep cooperation in education and many otherfields.
However, thetwo sides need to change their cooperation method, focusing on enhancing links notonly between their Governments, but also among universities, researchinstitutes and innovative centres, towards promoting development in eachcountry, she said.

According to the counsellor, the embassy has cooperated with theCanberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) to share with Vietnam about a successful implementation model in Canberra inthis field as well as exchange ideas and ways of linking research andinnovation with entrepreneurship.

CEO of CBRIN Petr Adamek said the network has partnered with a range ofprogrammes including startup promotion centres and incubator laboratories,benefiting over 1,000 entrepreneurs and small-and medium-sized-enterprises throughresearch and education programmes.

CBRIN is working with leading universities, research institutes, companies andcorporations to give advice to individuals and businesses about innovativeprogrammes and to provide financial support for them.

At the workshop, representatives of Vietnamese businesses shared lessons fromtheir startup journeys, helping inspire students and young people in formingand developing their own startup ideas./.