Promoting the role and tasks of universities and colleges in the innovation ecosystem

Opening the “Forum of Senior Leaders of Universities and Colleges in the Context of Open Innovation” today, October 31, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said: “To change, to develop, we need open innovation, increase exchanges and sharing about the problems of each educational institution, and together find solutions to implement”.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc affirmed: Universities, colleges, innovation and startup centers play a particularly important role in contributing to the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. In which, focusing on human resource development, commercialization of research results of institutes and schools, promoting the entrepreneurial spirit among students and lecturers, connecting the needs between businesses and schools.

Promoting the role and mission of universities and colleges in the innovative ecosystem image 1 — School leaders share solutions to promote innovation activities in schools.

"Innovation is an inevitable trend, a strategic choice, an objective requirement and a top priority for Vietnam. Innovation brings many opportunities. However, to take advantage of the opportunities, we also need to clearly understand the challenges facing the university and college system. In particular, we need to pay special attention to the challenges and difficulties of school leaders," Deputy Minister Ngoc shared.

In terms of general policy, Vietnam is actively promoting the development of an innovation and startup ecosystem, aiming to become a dynamic ecosystem in the region.

The Party and State have set out a socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period with the main driving force relying on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

The Government and the Prime Minister are resolutely directing and operating ministries, branches and localities to implement tasks and solutions, focusing on three strategic breakthroughs: (1) institutional system; (2) human resources, especially high-quality human resources; and (3) infrastructure.

Sharing about the extremely positive development results of Vietnam's innovation and startup ecosystem, Deputy Minister Ngoc said: The Global Innovation Index 2023 Report assessed Vietnam as one of three countries with innovation results surpassing its development level for 13 consecutive years. Vietnam's startup ecosystem has risen from 5th to 3rd place among the top 6 economies in Southeast Asia.

And since the end of 2022, the Network of "Innovation and Startup Centers of Universities and Colleges" (abbreviated as VNEI) has been established under the auspices of the National Innovation Center NIC to contribute to promoting the role and tasks of universities and colleges in the country's innovation ecosystem.

Increasing interest in innovation and creative entrepreneurship is one of the important goals of universities. However, innovation activities at universities today face many difficulties and challenges in both legal basis and implementation practice.

Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen close cooperation not only between Innovation Centers but also between Universities to support each other in promoting and implementing innovation activities in training, research and community service.

At the Forum, with the participation of leaders of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Education, the United States Agency for International Development, representatives of businesses, school leaders and Startup - Innovation Centers of members in the VNEI Network, the Forum reached many statements and common consensus on developing and building a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem in higher education institutions. In particular, special attention was paid to the spirit of cooperation and co-creation of action plans among member schools.

On behalf of the VNEI Network, Ms. Le Thi Thu Ha - President of VNEI announced 5 action programs of the schools, including: 1. Cooperation in developing high-quality human resources for innovation and entrepreneurship; 2. Strengthening cooperation in researching development models through innovation for Vietnam; 3. Transferring knowledge and applying science and technology to solve major social problems such as climate change, social security, sustainable development; 4. Together building policy forums, dialogues, international and national scientific conferences on innovation; 5. Connecting resources, sharing development opportunities for all members on innovation and entrepreneurship.

VNEI also proposed 5 initiatives for immediate implementation, which are: Building a common incubation program connecting students of member schools; Opening training codes on innovation and startups; Building an innovation tour program; Building a Learning hub; Building a chain of activities connecting the ecosystem of member schools.

The Forum of Senior Leaders of Universities and Colleges held today is a meaningful activity in a series of events on the occasion of the inauguration of the National Innovation Center NIC Hoa Lac campus and the Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition VIIE 2023. This is also the second year of organizing this Forum.

The forum exchanged and shared relevant information as well as innovation and startup activities of their schools with other schools as well as sought solutions to promote startup and innovation activities at educational institutions, especially in the current context of open innovation.

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