The Australian government has made another investment of over US$11 million in a program launched five years ago to support the development of innovation ecosystems in Vietnam. 

The additional funding of AU$17 million (US$11.3 million) for the program, Aus4Innovation, were announced at the Australia-Vietnam Innovation Partnership Day, held in Hanoi on Friday by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The event was among the activities organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Launched in 2018 with an initial fund of AU$16.5 million ($11), Aus4Innovation is a development assistance program that aims to strengthen Vietnam’s innovation system, prepare for and embrace opportunities associated with Industry 4.0, and help shape the Vietnamese innovation agenda in science and technology.

Now with the additional investment, the total budget for the program, scheduled to run for 10 years until 2028, has increased to $22.3 million.

Aus4Innovation has been operated through a tripartite partnership between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), and Vietnam’s MOST.

The program has explored emerging areas of technology and digital transformation, trialed new models for partnerships between public and private sector institutions, and strengthened Vietnamese capability in digital foresight, scenario planning, science commercialization, and innovation policy.

“While Australia and Vietnam are at different stages of development, we share an ambition to base our future growth on science and technology, and the potential for increased international cooperation around innovation for global and regional solutions,” Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski was quoted by CSIRO as saying.

The ambassador stressed that the innovation cooperation between Australia and Vietnam is substantial, efficient, and full of trust, while happening at all levels – individual, institution, and government.

“As our two countries are working toward upgrading our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we will continue to deepen our cooperation in trade and investment, defense and security, and knowledge and innovation,” he affirmed.

Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Science and Technology, was cited by CSIRO as praising that the Aus4Innovation program “has delivered tangible, significant results that are having substantial positive impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people."  

The minister said the Vietnamese government has affirmed the pivotal role of STI in addressing emerging economic, societal, and institutional challenges through its introduction of the Strategy for the Development of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in Vietnam until 2030.

“Our ministry is working hard to meet the goals set by the strategy,” Dat stated.

Jonathan Law, CSIRO’s executive director of growth, told the event that the Aus4Innovation program will enter the next phase based on the solid foundations already established.

“I am deeply encouraged that the Australian government, through DFAT, decided to continue to support this program for another five years, broadening our opportunities to pursue our endeavor to bring technology and innovation to life,” Law said.

Over the next five years, the program will put a stronger focus on areas of Vietnam’s priorities, such as resilient agriculture and food, as well as introducing appropriate interventions for the digital era, including responsible artificial intelligence, he elaborated.

Achievements after five years of operation in Vietnam

After five years in operation across 37 provinces in Vietnam, Aus4Innovation has established a pool of 875 trainers and experts through capacity building activities, and laid the foundation for 82 partnerships between Australian and Vietnamese universities, research agencies, high-tech businesses, and policymakers, according to CSIRO. 

The program also developed eight platforms to enable collaboration in innovation across research institutes and businesses, and demonstrated 12 innovative solutions to exemplify how innovation and technology can solve socioeconomic challenges.

In addition, it has contributed to national policies on science, technology, and innovation, as well as developed practical tools for innovation policy development to help contribute to a more enabling environment.

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