According to a TTXVN reporter in Australia, the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA) hosted a significant working session with Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) Nguyen Chi Dung on 17 – 18 October 2024 in Melbourne.
VASEA, established to foster cooperation between Australia and Vietnam for mutual benefit, has played a crucial role as a platform for scholars and experts of Vietnamese heritage in Australia. The association facilitates the sharing of knowledge and expertise, enhancing the understanding and experience of its members and strengthening connections with Australian academia and industry. Its efforts focus on promoting development in emerging areas such as digital transformation, green transition, innovation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and human resource training.
During the recent working session, discussions centred on advancing cooperation between the two countries, including the development of the Vietnam Innovation Network in Australia, the promotion of the semiconductor industry, training semiconductor engineers, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital economy. Minister Nguyen Chi Dung also conducted visits and held working meetings with the Victorian Government, Monash University, and the University of Melbourne.
During the meeting with VASEA, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted the crucial role of the semiconductor and AI industries amid the growing global demand for microchips and high-tech components. He reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitment to developing the ecosystem and elevating Vietnam’s position within the global supply chain for these key industries.
Vietnam has introduced a Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy and a Human Resource Development Program for the Semiconductor Industry, targeting milestones up to 2030 with a vision extending to 2050. Additionally, the National Steering Committee for Semiconductor Industry Development has been established, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, with Minister Nguyen Chi Dung serving as the Standing Deputy Chairman.
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highly appreciated VASEA’s efforts in collaborating with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) to build an innovation network, emphasizing the importance of fostering cooperation in high-tech fields between Vietnam and Australia, particularly in semiconductors and AI.
Professor Nghiem Duc Long, VASEA President and faculty member at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), along with Vice Presidents Professor Ngo Duc Tuan from the University of Melbourne and Professor Dao Viet Dung from Griffith University, outlined Australia’s strengths in semiconductor technology and AI to the Minister. They shared insights on experiences, initiatives, and cooperation models for development, technology transfer, and training semiconductor engineers, drawing on the expertise of leading Australian universities and research institutes. Several VASEA members have already made commercial contributions, such as the AI Box developed by ANScenter, founded by AI expert Dr. Nguyen Tuan Nghia, who has previously taught at UTS, and patents in semiconductor and AI technologies.
VASEA is dedicated to collaborating with organizations in both Australia and Vietnam to foster joint programs aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s research, production, and development capacity in semiconductor technology. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Nghia expressed readiness to transfer the AI Box technology to Vietnamese companies.
In a report to Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, Professor Nghiem Duc Long noted that, with support from VASEA members, several Australian universities are planning to offer training programs for semiconductor and AI engineers, both through short-term courses in Australia and long-term initiatives in Vietnam.
In an interview with the TTXVN reporter in Australia, Professor Nghiem Duc Long expressed his enthusiasm for VASEA’s recent meeting with Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, extending his gratitude to the Minister for his support and encouragement of the VASEA’s initiatives.
Professor Long noted that, like Vietnam, Australia has a strategic vision to establish itself as a key player in the global semiconductor and AI supply chain. Leveraging its strong scientific foundation, Australia is prioritizing specialized chip design technologies that utilize composite materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), which are used in cutting-edge applications like multi-frequency wave sensors, electrical sensors, and optoelectronics.
Australia also has established strengths in supporting industries, including refining non-ferrous metals, processing rare earth elements, and producing ultra-pure water essential for semiconductor manufacturing. Its robust education system, featuring top-ranked universities in electronics, computer science, semiconductor materials, and related fields, further bolsters the country’s capabilities. Several VASEA members are actively involved in teaching, research, and the practical implementation of semiconductor and AI technologies in Australia.
Professor Long emphasized that Minister Nguyen Chi Dung’s visit serves as a crucial foundation for comprehensive cooperation between Australia and Vietnam in advancing semiconductor and AI technology.
Following Minister Nguyen Chi Dung’s suggestions and instructions, Professor Nghiem Duc Long announced that VASEA will create a detailed action plan to promote collaboration in training, research, and development in the semiconductor and AI industries between Vietnam and Australia. VASEA aims to serve as a bridge for establishing joint programs to train semiconductor and AI engineers in both countries and will facilitate connections between businesses and organizations to advance research, technology transfer, and product commercialization. Several VASEA members have committed to introducing and transferring patents, technologies, and products that have been developed and commercialized in Australia to Vietnamese companies and institutions.
Minister Nguyen Chi Dung’s working session with VASEA has energized the VASEA’s members, inspiring them to continue contributing to the development of their homeland. This event marks a significant step forward in strengthening knowledge exchange between Vietnam and Australia, particularly in high-tech fields, and contributes practically to the country’s industrialization and modernization efforts.
Thanh Tu – TTXVN Reporter
