Innovation – A Driver for Sustainable Economic Development: Insights from a Workshop at UTT

On the afternoon of March 27, at the University of Transport Technology (UTT), a scientific workshop themed “Innovation in Economic Development: International Experiences and Solutions for Vietnam” was held. The event was co-organized by the University and the National Agency for Science and Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NACENTECH), attracting a large number of experts, scientists, and enterprise representatives from both domestic and international organizations.

Attending the workshop, on the side of NACENTECH were Dr. Phạm Hồng Quất – Director General; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hà Quốc Trung – Deputy Director General; Dr. Nguyễn Đắc Bình Minh – Deputy Director General, along with experts and scientists. On the side of UTT were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vũ Ngọc Khiêm – Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Rector; Dr. Nguyễn Văn Lâm – Vice Rector, together with representatives of leaders from units and a large number of interested students.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vũ Ngọc Khiêm emphasized that in the context of deep globalization, innovation is not only an inevitable trend but also a core driver for enhancing national competitiveness. He noted that the close linkage among educational institutions, research organizations, and enterprises is the foundation for forming a sustainable innovation ecosystem, where knowledge is transformed into practical value.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vũ Ngọc Khiêm – Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Rector speaking at the event

Representatives of the two units presenting flowers to the speakers

At the program, the thematic session brought together many prestigious domestic and international speakers. Notably, Dr. Kim Gyeng Chul – General Director of Vinatech Vina and former Professor at KAIST, delivered in-depth analyses of South Korea’s journey in overcoming the “middle-income trap,” offering valuable lessons for Vietnam.

Dr. Kim Gyeng Chul – General Director of Vinatech Vina, former Professor at KAIST sharing at the workshop

In addition, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lan Hương – Founder of ESGTech, Institute for Green Growth and Sustainable Development, presented on the Climate Tech ecosystem and global investment trends; Ms. Lê Tú Mỹ Liên – Manager of the International Cooperation Strategy Team at NACENTECH, shared orientations for international connectivity and cooperation in the field of innovation.

The discussion session took place in a vibrant atmosphere with diverse perspectives, focusing on solutions to promote innovation in the context of Vietnam’s deep integration into the global economy. Participants emphasized the role of policies, high-quality human resources, and the linkage among stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.

Participants contributing ideas at the workshop

Dr. Phạm Hồng Quất – Director General of NACENTECH delivering the closing remarks

In his closing remarks, Dr. Phạm Hồng Quất affirmed the practical significance of the workshop, which not only facilitated the sharing of knowledge and international experiences but also contributed to connecting resources, spreading the spirit of innovation, and promoting sustainable economic development in Vietnam.

The workshop concluded in a formal atmosphere with high expectations, opening up new cooperation directions among the University, research institutes, and enterprises—key pillars in the national innovation ecosystem.

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