RMIT Vietnam holds first international economics research symposium

Tiếng Việt

RMIT Vietnam holds first international economics research symposium

The inaugural Vietnam International Economics Research Symposium, held today at RMIT Vietnam’s Saigon South campus, provided a platform for international academics to exchange research ideas and discuss economic policies to support economic growth in Vietnam and other emerging countries.

The inaugural Vietnam International Economics Research Symposium was held at RMIT Vietnam's Saigon South campus on 8 August.

RMIT Vietnam Head of School of Business & Management Associate Professor Mathews Nkhoma said Vietnam is an emerging economy with one of the highest economic growth rates in the world, at 6.8 per cent in 2017, according to the World Bank.

“The Vietnamese economy has also become increasingly integrated into regional and global economies,” he said.

“This brings opportunities for growth, along with associated challenges. In this context academic research is particularly important to inform government policy.”

The symposium was attended by academics from France, Spain, Japan, South Korea, India and Vietnam. More than 30 papers were presented during the event, with one keynote speech and three parallel sessions taking place on the day.

The parallel session on the hospitality industry was led by Dr David Andersson from RMIT Vietnam.

The studies presented at the symposium acknowledged the need for regional and global collaboration to create borderless opportunities, and recommended solutions to emerging economic issues, said Associate Professor Nkhoma.

“The research papers covered a wide range of emerging economic issues, such as foreign trade and economic growth, emission taxes and environmental compliance, air pollution, FDI and productivity, population aging, globalisation and industrialisation, and inequality of well-being,” he said.

“At RMIT Vietnam’s School of Business & Management, we have a research cluster devoted to developing and emerging markets,” Associate Professor Nkhoma shared.

“The scholars involved in this cluster conduct research and provide policy advice on cutting-edge issues in the economics of development and financial markets, with special emphasis on emerging market economies.

“The research cluster is currently made up of specialists in the areas of institutions, international trade, the credits and banking sector, urban and sustainable development, and health and food safety.”