NIC mobilises Vietnamese intellectuals in all continents for innovation

NIC holding the online meeting with sub-network overseas

NIC members also discussed ongoing projects and activities to strengthen cooperation between the local and overseas networks, as well as highlighted the need to boost the activities of networks in the time coming.

Welcoming members on behalf of the Minister of Planning and Investment, NIC deputy director Vu Quoc Huy expressed his joy to be able to attend for the first time and chair the discussion. He highlighted that the most important task of the NIC is to develop the Vietnam Innovation Network, as assigned by the prime minister and the MPI minister.

Huy said that the NIC is drafting a decree to submit to the government which will provide special incentives (as much as possible within the tenets of the legal framework) for centres, organisations, and businesses developing their concepts and projects at the NIC.

In the time coming, the centre will promote connecting ecosystems, including Vietnam Venture Summit, to link up ventures and startups, train local human resources, support businesses in their digital transformation, research and build out an innovation ecosystem, and recommend policies and strategies related to innovation for priority sectors.

The Vietnam Innovation Network has already connected 250 members across 14 countries, built sub-networks in Germany, Australia, and Japan, and is looking to develop 10 more in other countries.

“NIC is honoured to be part of the connection accompanying and supporting sub-networks and members. NIC is the focal point to work with ministries, agencies, and localities to build up networks," said Huy.

Speakers at the meeting (in Hanoi)

Huynh The Du from Fulbright University Vietnam assessed that the network is already quite expansive. He suggested that the network should run in a decentralised model, as well as organise professional activities more frequently. "NIC should create a competitive environment for sub-networks to make it more vibrant," said Du.

Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen, CEO of startup SeleX Motor expressed hope that, in addition to its main role of connecting regional investors and startups, NIC would also be able to invest in startups and their projects on its own. This motion found general agreement among conference participants and was followed by recommendations to boost co-operation between NIC, the Vietnam Innovation Network, and big universities and organisations related to startup enterprises.

Reacting to the multitude of comments and recommendations by members, Vu Quoc Huy confirmed that NIC would hammer out the details of its strategies and activities in a way that would answer participants' needs and expectations. “NIC has two important roles, including building an institutional framework, policies, and incentives for innovation, projects related to high technology, as well as removing all challenges for startups in particular and businesses in general," said Huy.

In August, the government will issue a decree on the operation of the NIC. "This will create the legal framework to improve the performance of NIC in order to mobilise more intellectuals in the network to achieve the ambitious targets of the country," said the representative of the NIC.

The chairs of the meeting

NIC has been dealing with procedures to build two facilities in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park and one in the centre of Hanoi to serve as a space for businesses, technology corporations, and individuals to do research and showcase high-tech and innovative solutions.

The rules on the structure, organisation, operation, and human resources of NIC is being perfected under the management and guidance of several councils led by the ministers of Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, Industry and Trade, and Education and Training, as well as leaders from the State Bank of Vietnam and of THACO and Viettel.