USAID WISE supports human resources for innovation and startups

Vu Quoc Huy, director general of the National Innovation Centre

At the close out ceremony for USAID Workforce for an Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (USAID WISE) took place on January 23, in Hanoi.

Vu Quoc Huy, director general of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) highly appreciated the support of the United States Agency for International Development to train and further enhance the quality of Vietnam's human resources for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Over the three years, the initiative targeted strengthening basic digital skills and developing the market for digital skills training and innovative financial solutions for education. The NIC collaborated with numerous public and private partners to organise various training sessions, conferences, and in-depth seminars to address issues related to the development of high-quality human resources in key areas such as AI, cloud computing, product development, and smart factories.

"These activities successfully engaged many partners with a high level of outreach and were evaluated as effective. They also had a positive impact on the beneficiaries in reaching rural areas and vulnerable groups like labourers. The project also expanded connections with partners and networks, particularly innovation and startup centres, universities, and colleges, which are hubs of intellectual resources," Huy said.

Nine private sector training partners, with the support of the $2.2 million USAID WISE project, have trained over 500 instructors from more than 70 universities and colleges, and benefited approximately 3000 students – including indirect beneficiaries.

Douglas Balko, director of Economic Growth and Governance for USAID

Douglas Balko, director of Economic Growth and Governance for USAID, appreciated the vision and dedication of the MPI and NIC to advancing Vietnam's economic growth and transforming its workforce.

Capturing a broad array of the skills required for a vibrant and resilient digital economy, WISE’s partners have delivered training on topics spanning cybersecurity, digital marketing, AI, programming, software testing, and more.

"Inclusion is a focal point of USAID’s work, and through this partnership with the NIC, USAID WISE has supported partners to expand access to digital and innovation skills training and bridge the gender and urban-rural divides to strengthen the digital workforce in the country," Balko said.

Over the past few months, USAID and all its partners in the WISE ecosystem have worked with the NIC and the Vietnam Network of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centres to strengthen the new network and lay the foundations for future work supporting Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

"Together, we have helped address some of the challenges faced by Vietnam in nurturing a highly skilled workforce, fostering an environment that is conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, and propelling industries that are critical in the 21^st century," he added. "Such achievements have greatly contributed to the driving force behind Vietnam's ultimate goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030. As we celebrate this milestone, let us also recognise that our work is not done. The achievements of the WISE project serve as a foundation for further progress and innovation."

USAID and MPI support pioneering enterprises and promote sustainability Today, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness project (IPSC), co-hosted a business forum themed “Pioneering Entrepreneurial Spirit, Fostering a Sustainable Vietnam.”

US and Vietnam launch $3.25 million initiative to facilitate digital trade On October 13, the United States Mission to Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a $3.25 million drive to facilitate digital trade.

New US-funded project to promote Vietnam's economic growth through technological transformation The Vietnam Workforce for an Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (WISE) project showcases the US government’s commitment to partnering with Vietnam along with its economic transformation, which centres on mastering and integrating new advanced technologies, spurring innovation, and accelerating the growth of the digital economy.