The Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) and Australia’s Deakin University are now strategic partners in research and development (R&D) of artificial intelligence (AI), among other fields, according to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Monday.

The strategic partnership stems from over a decade of collaboration between VNU-HCMC and the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute at Deakin University, including AI research and development and postgraduate student mentorship, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, director of the VNU-HCMC, said at the signing ceremony.

Over the past year, the VNU-HCMC has promoted the development of interdisciplinary research programs, especially in AI and information technology (IT) with the goal of becoming a leading center for AI R&D in Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region, Dr. Quan said.

As per the MoU, both parties will collaborate on joint research initiatives in AI and IT, with a particular focus on applying AI to address significant challenges across various sectors such as healthcare, economics, agriculture, public governance, and the development of smart cities in Vietnam.

Dr. Quan mentioned that these projects will play a pivotal role in advancing the implementation of the AI application research and development program in Ho Chi Minh City for the 2020-30 period.

In addition to AI and IT, the two strategic partners will also cooperate in other fields such as public health, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, agriculture, environment, sustainable development, and climate change response.

The two universities will develop short-term training programs on university administration and public governance for leaders and managers of universities, state agencies and businesses.

They will also increase the number and scale of student exchange programs, providing research internship opportunities at Deakin University for VNU-HCMC students.

Besides, scientists of both sides will jointly carry out research projects, co-organize international scientific workshops, and coordinate the training of young lecturers for the VNU-HCMC.

Following the MoU signing ceremony, leading AI experts of the two universities co-organized a session providing AI lectures for teachers and students of the Vietnamese university.

Throughout the session, the lecturers presented recent advancements in AI applications and engaged in discussions with the audience regarding the diverse roles of AI, particularly its significance in health and biomedical research.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!