VNU-RMIT Innovation Hub drives Vietnam-Australia scientific collaboration

The hub officially opened on 4 November 2023 in the presence of leaders from the Vietnamese government, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and RMIT University.

Spanning nearly 1,000 square metres and boasting modern facilities, the hub is envisioned to become a collaborative laboratory and workspace for advancing technology and scientific research in Vietnam.

It will connect VNU and RMIT with education and industry partners to conduct joint research and development projects, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) disciplines.

RMIT will work closely with VNU’s main coordinator for the hub, the Information Technology Institute (VNU-ITI), to support the training of high-quality talent at doctoral and post-doctoral levels, as well as coordinate conferences, seminars, and academic exchange activities across Vietnam and Australia.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM College and Vice-President of RMIT University Professor Ian Burnett said: “STEM disciplines will be particularly critical to Vietnam’s future to drive innovation, economic growth, and societal development. Investment in research and infrastructure to promote cutting-edge scientific research and foster collaboration between the top universities of Vietnam in these fields is an exciting step.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor and General Director of RMIT Vietnam Professor Claire Macken also stated: “I have great hopes that with our synergistic partnership, RMIT and VNU-ITI will contribute to Vietnam becoming a key player in the global technology landscape.”

According to VNU-ITI Director Associate Professor Tran Xuan Tu, one of the objectives of the hub is to help businesses access scientific and technological solutions for important emerging areas such as new materials, semiconductor technology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.

“Our aspiration when building the hub was to not only connect top scientists, but also engage with more businesses from both Vietnam and Australia, so that our research can benefit from practical insights and serve practical needs,” Associate Professor Tu said.

VNU Vice President Associate Professor Pham Bao Son added that as the country's leading institution for education and research in science and technology, VNU puts a strong focus on mastering, transferring, and applying technology to serve economic growth and societal development.

“With RMIT being a leader in STEM and well known for innovation, entrepreneurship and industry connections, we look forward to many fruitful collaborations with the university,” said Associate Professor Son.

The Innovation Hub opening took place during the VNU Investment Promotion Conference 2023. This annual platform connects VNU with businesses and entrepreneurs, both domestic and international, who are interested in education, training, science and technology.

RMIT and VNU’s partnership started in 1995 when the two institutions signed a bilateral cooperation agreement. The initial outcomes from the partnership included the launch of a systems development centre for VNU, quality assurance activities, study exchange programs, and co-organised international conferences and seminars.

In 2017, RMIT University and VNU signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their cooperation in areas such as academic quality, leadership training, joint research projects, research supervision, etc.

Since 2018, the two partners have extended their cooperation into areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, engineering, and business.

Story: Ngoc Hoang and Sinh Vu