STI Days foster ASEAN-EU cooperation in science, innovation
The ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Days (STI Days) began on May 10, serving as a platform for scientists, policymakers and innovation companies from the two blocs to boost cooperation.
The ASEAN-EU STI Days open in Hanoi on May 10 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Days (STI Days) kicked off in Hanoi on May 10, serving as a platform for scientists, policymak♍ers and innovation companies from the two blocs to boost cooꦿperation in the fields.
The STI Days are held annually on a rotational basis between ASEAN and EU countries. This year’s event, which will last until May 12, is the third to be held so far.
It is organised within the framework of the SEA-EU-NET 2 project, funded by the EU Commission’s seventh Framework Programme (FP7), to provide flexible and dynamic forums along with other events on science, technology and innovation.
At the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh said the SEA-EU-NET is a project to enhance scientific cooperation in areas that both ASEAN and the EU are interested in.
Under the FP7 and Horizon 2020, an EU research and innovation programme, more than 200 Southeast Asian research organisations have engaged in joint research projects that aim to address global pressing issues such as environmental protection, health care, disease prevention, food safety, water resources management, and new energy.
There is great potential for the two regions to further cooperation, especially in the field of innovation, he added.
The 2016 STI Days are expected to feature 15 workshops attended by nearly 600 delegates from over 40 countries, along with 24 exhibition booths of 10 nations.
Specialists will also gather at meetings to discuss such topics as the main social challenges concerned by both regions, and the connection between infectious diseases, water, food and energy.-VNA
The European Union (EU) pledges to strengthen and elevate its dialogue relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a greater height.
ASEAN and the EU agreed to intensify human rights cooperation and policy dialogues at a series of events during an ASEAN delegation’s visit to Belgium’s Brussels from October 19 to 25.
Hungary on February 5 expressed its strong interest to forge closer ties with the Southeast Asian region and said it recognised the immense potential of the ASEAN Community.
Representatives from ASEAN and the European Union (EU) reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the existing close trade and investment relations between the regions.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
The ASEAN-EU STI Days open in Hanoi on May 10 (Photo: VNA)
