Overview

Aus4Innovation is delivered through Australia's national science agency (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – CSIRO), and has the following four components:

• Vietnam's Future Digital Economy – foresighting to explore the trends, probable impacts and implications of digital technology on the Vietnamese economy
• Science Commercialisation – capacity building and pilot projects to explore models for brokering and building partnerships focused on the agriculture and food sectors.
• Competitive Grants – targeted funds to scale tested activities that address emerging innovation challenges or opportunities.
• Policy Exchange – collaborative initiatives to address emerging challenges in the implementation of Vietnam's innovation agenda.

Results to date

A summary of best international practices for science technology and innovation supported Vietnam's National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for 2021- 2030, laying out an important legal foundation for Vietnam's innovation system.

Vietnam's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has been implemented with Aus4Innovation's support that enabled Vietnam to climb 14 places in the 2021 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index.

As the result of support from Aus4Innovation, the first national guidebook on science commercialisation targeting public researchers and entrepreneurs was developed in collaboration National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) under Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology. NATEC has made a training plan for six research institutes and universities in Vietnam in 2022.

Under the Grants component, an advanced technology for manufacturing water monitoring sensors was transferred by Griffith University to Sai Gon Hi-tech Park. These sensors can operate reliably in extreme weather conditions. Seeing the long-term benefits, Ho Chi Minh City People Committee has committed approximately AUD400,000 to setting up more monitoring stations to improve its flood management.

Cool Bot technology under the Grants component has enabled producers in Son La province to access cool rooms and refrigerated trucks. Benefits include reducing post-harvest losses by 75%, improving product quality and shelf life and increasing average prices leading to increased gross revenue by 20-30%. The project has now attracted further investments from other businesses in Son La.