The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)between Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Australia’s Departmentof Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on cooperation in science, technology andinnovation, which is expected to help bolster bilateral cooperation in thefields, and contributing to facilitating socio-economic development in bothcountries.
According to MoST Deputy Minister Bui The Duy, the MoU aims to createfavourable conditions for the two sides to share information on science-technologyand innovation activities, defining the common interest in strengthening thepartnership, including activities of the Vietnam – Australia partnershipprogramme on innovation (Aus4Innovation).
Vietnam has become one of the 17 prioritised countries inAustralia’s innovation strategy. The Australia-Vietnam Enhanced EconomicEngagement Strategy has brought about opportunities for the two sides to strengthencooperation in science-technology and innovation. Knowledge and innovation has been one of the key pillars of theVietnam-Australia strategic partnership.
In Vietnam, a National Strategy for Science-Technology and InnovationDevelopment until 2030 has been issued, highlighting that promoting science,technology and innovation is the leading national policy playing the role as themain motivation for growth.
The Aus4Innovation was announced during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in2017, aiming to help Vietnam develop a national innovation system, assistingthe country in preparing for and seizing the opportunities from the Fourth IndustrialRevolution, and shaping the country’s innovation process in the field ofscience and technology.
The programme is funded by the DFAT and co-sponsored by the CommonwealthScientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and implemented withthe cooperation from MoST.
Duy expressed his hope that the MoU will produce newsuccesses in cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in the field./.