A groundbreaking partnership between Australia and Vietnam is set to help revolutionise next-generation connectivity and cyber security.
On March 10, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) announced that it will lead the establishment of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology.
The new center will serve as an advanced research hub for cooperation between the two countries in strategic technology and cybersecurity areas, including 5G and emerging 6G technologies.
Nokia, a pioneer in B2B technology innovation, is a founding technology partner. Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) will power connectivity across the new center, which will be located at the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Hanoi, a leading university in communications technology and digital transformation.
The Australian Ambassador for Critical Cyber Security and Technology at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Brendan Dowling, said the initiative would put both countries at the forefront of global connectivity and help promote economic growth, security and digital inclusion.
In line with the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, this new research centre focuses on enhancing cooperation between the two countries on strategic technologies, including harnessing the potential of 5G and 6G technologies.
The center will promote digital transformation, technological and industrial innovation, and enhance international network stability for the two countries' common region.
This collaboration follows a visit by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung (then Minister of Information and Communications) to Australia and the UTS Technology Lab in 2023, where discussions with Australian partners and industry leaders reinforced the need for deeper research and training partnerships.
In a press release on March 10, UTS stated that Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that this initiative comes at an important time for Vietnam. Advances in next-generation connectivity are key to implementing Resolution 57 of the Party, which identifies national digital transformation, science and technology as essential drivers for socio-economic progress, supporting Vietnam's future growth and prosperity.
The collaboration between UTS and PTIT will bring together leading academics, experts and policy makers from across the industry to explore the transformative power of emerging 5G and 6G technologies.
For his part, Professor Andrew Parfitt said UTS was proud to lead this collaborative project with the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, Nokia and other partners; expressing his belief that the centre would create great opportunities for researchers, industry partners and governments from both countries to take advantage of strategic technology collaborations; and highlighting UTS’ vision of becoming a world-leading university with global impact, serving social justice, inclusion and the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
On behalf of UTS and its partners, Professor Andrew Parfitt thanked the Australian and Vietnamese Governments for their support through DFAT and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, and in particular for their trust in UTS to lead this vital initiative.
Director of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre, Associate Professor Nguyen Ngoc Diep, said the centre will promote research activities, policy leadership and develop practical applications to help exploit the full potential of digital transformation.
Nokia, a key industry driver and technology partner for the project, predicts that 5G and 5G-Advanced will contribute up to US$8 trillion to global GDP by 2030, opening up new revenue growth streams for both Vietnam and Australia.
Other emerging fields such as AI, semiconductor research, chip design and testing, clean energy, digital transformation and environmental engineering also have potential for cooperation.
With a mission to connect research, industry and policy, the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre invites academics, businesses and technology leaders to contribute to digital transformation. Upcoming initiatives include the establishment of a state-of-the-art 5G research laboratory, strategic technology seed funding, 5G scholarships, a mentoring program for women in technology and a 5G cultural exchange program.
Representatives of UTS University signed a MOU with the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Institute - the host unit of the Australia - Vietnam Strategic Technology Center in Vietnam, August 2023. (Photo: Le Dat/VNA)
The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Hub will drive innovation in manufacturing, energy, transport, agriculture, healthcare and education, accelerating technology adoption and digital transformation in both countries; providing a controlled environment to test and optimise 5G applications, businesses, governments and research institutes can develop practical solutions to challenges such as energy efficiency, resource management and sustainable digital infrastructure.
Vietnam's digital economy is expected to reach more than 50 billion USD by 2025 thanks to e-commerce and digitalization of small and medium enterprises.
With Australia's expertise in advanced connectivity and cyber security, the partnership is expected to boost cross-border innovation and bilateral trade.
In addition to promoting next-generation connectivity, the Center is committed to building a robust cybersecurity framework that ensures the safe and responsible adoption of digital technology.
Through collaborative research and industry/government engagement, the Center will enhance cybercrime prevention and cooperation, equipping both countries with stronger digital defense capabilities.
The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre will support online safety and digital inclusion, with a particular focus on creating a safer online space for women, children and vulnerable communities.
By promoting the ethical use of technology and responsible digital behavior, the Center will contribute to creating a more stable and secure international cyberspace./.
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