Key Role of Higher Education Institutions in Developing National Innovation Ecosystem

NTTU – On the morning of December 4, 2024, the NTTU Center for Innovation and Incubation (NIIC) collaborated with SWISS EP Vietnam and BK Holdings to successfully organize the seminar ‘Innovation in Higher Education: The Role of Universities in the Innovation Ecosystem,’ which attracted the interest and participation of many experts in the field

The keynote speakers at the seminar were Mr. Kevin Murphy – Chairman and CEO of J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (USA), and Dr. Nguyễn Trung Dũng – CEO of BK Holdings, Chairman of the Vietnam Higher Education Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (VNEI).

Additionally, the program was attended by: Mr. Hub Langstaff – Director of the Swiss Entrepreneurship Support Fund (SWISS EP) in Vietnam; Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Anh, financial expert and Program Director of the Swiss Startup Support Program; Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Thủy – Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Southern Startup Support Advisory Council; Mrs. Mary Bùi, CEO of Viet Fundraising eXchange; Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Thi – Strategic Advisor at iSAM Enterprises; along with experts and representatives from startup clubs and universities in the southern region, such as Lac Hong University, Thu Dau Mot University, and HCMC University of Industry and Trade, etc.

Representatives from Nguyen Tat Thanh University included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Hồng, Vice President of the University; Dr. Hoàng Thịnh Nhân and Mrs. Huỳnh Hồng Mai, Deputy Directors of the NTTU Center for Innovation and Incubation (NIIC); along with a large number of faculty members who are heads and deputy heads of departments, faculties, institutes, and centers, as well as students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The seminar ‘Innovation in Higher Education: The Role of Universities in the Innovation Ecosystem’ provided an opportunity for universities and businesses to meet, discuss, and learn from experts on developing a creative university model. This, in turn, enhances knowledge and capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship at institutions. The program is also expected to become a bridge between educational institutions and the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam, while facilitating the sharing of advanced university models in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. In particular, it aims to help Vietnamese universities work towards fostering and developing the innovation ecosystem, contributing to the creation of a strong support environment for creative entrepreneurship in education.

On behalf of the leadership of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Hồng – Vice President of the University, attended and delivered the opening speech at the seminar. She expressed her gratitude to SWISS EP and BK Holdings for trusting and choosing Nguyen Tat Thanh University to collaborate in organizing this meaningful seminar. ‘We hope that this program will create many opportunities for connection, learning, and collaboration between universities, businesses, and related organizations. Together, we will build a strong innovation ecosystem, contributing to enhancing the quality of education and driving the country’s economic development,’ emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Hồng.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Hồng – Vice President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, delivers the opening speech at the seminar

At the seminar, experts and delegates listened to practical sharing of successful case studies and engaged in in-depth discussions with the CEO of J.E. Austin Associates and the Chairman of VNEI on several issues related to the innovation network, the role of universities with stakeholders in promoting innovation, the 4 innovation messages, and the 10 bridge models in innovation and entrepreneurship – their impact, lessons learned, and effective application methods at some universities today..

Mr. Kevin Murphy – Chairman and CEO of J.E. Austin Associates, Inc.

According to the World Bank, Vietnam faces the risk of slow development if there is no transformation. To achieve a high-income level by 2045, Vietnam needs to promote strong growth. To realize this goal, Mr. Kevin Murphy stated that Vietnam must prioritize innovation, with universities playing a key role in identifying what needs to be done and how to achieve the goal. In particular, universities must collaborate closely with stakeholders (businesses, partners, research institutes, etc.) and implement integrated policies, investments, and initiatives to drive innovation.

Referring to current innovation models around the world, Mr. Kevin Murphy mentioned that in some countries such as South Korea, the government provides direct support, funding, and focuses on research. In the United States, private enterprises take the initiative in research, especially in fields such as biotechnology and healthcare. In Switzerland, there is a tripartite model involving the government, universities/research institutes, and private enterprises, with equal roles in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

Dr. Nguyễn Trung Dũng – CEO of BK Holdings, Chairman of VNEI

Speaking about the innovation network and the mission of educational institutions within the national ecosystem (training, research, innovation), Dr. Nguyễn Trung Dũng stated that innovation in higher education is the result of research (inventions, solutions, business models, creativity…) combined with the ability to commercialize (through direct technology transfer contracts to businesses, generating profits through revenue, or potentially creating spin-off companies or startups in the long term). In summary, the goal is to create value with products that can ‘thrive’ in the market.

In Vietnam, the role of universities in the innovation startup ecosystem is still unclear, ineffective, and the reason for this is the GAP between universities and startups. This gap is due to the lack of synchronization in many aspects, from mindset and knowledge to skills and tools for implementation. According to Dr. Dũng, the solution for universities to bridge this gap is to create connections, regularly organize and provide professional support in promoting creativity and entrepreneurship for all individuals passionate about scientific research and innovative entrepreneurship; to approach international university rankings that continually affirm the university’s reputation and social influence; and to attract funding – combining with businesses to ‘incubate’ and ‘retain’ talent.

Especially, universities need to choose a suitable model based on their development strategy and available resources such as policies, people, research outcomes and internal research capacity, financial resource, and their ability to promote both within and outside the university. Currently, there are three innovation models being applied by universities in Vietnam. According to speaker Nguyễn Trung Dũng, Model A – leveraging existing units within the university system (such as the Research Department, Innovation and Startup Incubation Center, Student Union, Youth Union, etc.) to promote entrepreneurship and innovation is the most widely chosen model among Vietnamese universities. Model B: outsourcing to professional support organizations, which is suitable for specialized universities such as the University of Law, University of Education, University of Fine Arts and Technology; Model C: a combination of several universities following an intermediary model, which is currently the model being implemented by Hanoi University of Science and Technology with certain achievements.

With a wealth of useful information on the topic of innovation in higher education shared by experts at the seminar, the delegates, guests, and two speakers also participated in an interactive discussion and Q&A session about the current state of innovation in Vietnam. They discussed how Vietnamese universities can integrate the 10-bridge model into their development strategies, the collaboration between the three entities: the Government – the University – the Business sector, and specific challenges and opportunities that universities face in promoting innovation.

Các đại biểu tham gia thảo luận cùng các diễn giả tại chương trình

The delegates participated in the discussion with the speakers at the event.

At the closing of the program, Associate Professor Dr. Trần Thị Hồng expressed her gratitude to the two speakers for their insightful presentations on the innovation ecosystem in universities. She emphasized how valuable these insights were, especially for a higher education institution like Nguyen Tat Thanh University, which is committed to developing into an innovation-driven university recognized domestically, regionally, and internationally. This recognition is achieved through continuous creativity in education, research, and community service, while also contributing to the success of students and the business community.

Associate Professor Dr. Trần Thị Hồng present flowers and letters of appreciation to the co-organizing units, speakers, and delegates

Nguyen Tat Thanh University hopes to collaborate with SWISS EP, BK Holdings, and experts in the field to continue organizing numerous activities that promote the formation and comprehensive development of the innovation ecosystem within universities in particular, and across the country in general, in the near future.

The 10-Bridge Model to Promote the Development of the Innovation Ecosystem in Universities Student Employment: Universities should not only play the role of an educational institution but also actively promote lifelong support activities for learners. Alumni Programs: Alumni have a clear understanding of the needs and desires of businesses and employers, and can contribute valuable solutions to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the university. Education, Management, and Lifelong Learning: Fostering continuous education and skills development throughout life. Focus on Commercializing Research: Universities should focus on translating research outcomes into practical applications and commercial ventures. Career Counseling and Guidance on Training Programs: Establish policies to utilize the resources of advisors from the university’s teaching staff—those who are most familiar with the fields they teach—to guide students in career development. Defining and Measuring Skill Standards: To ensure graduates meet the skill standards required by employers and industry demands. On-the-Job Training Combined with Internships: Through business connections and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with domestic and international partners, offering hands-on training opportunities for students. Developing Industry-Relevant Training Programs: Creating training programs that are closely aligned with current industry needs and trends. Surveying Activities and Collecting Information: Gathering feedback from businesses and organizations, inviting them to participate in reviewing training programs to improve and enhance their quality, ensuring they meet social demands and industry requirements. Establishing Innovation Centers and Promoting Scientific Research Activities: Setting up centers focused on innovation and encouraging scientific research to support the development of the innovation ecosystem.

News: Thanh Hương

Photo: Media