Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA) participated in the 4th Conference of Overseas Vietnamese and the Forum of Overseas Vietnamese Scholars and Experts, held on August 22, 2024.
Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat affirmed at the 4th Conference of Overseas Vietnamese and the Forum of Overseas Vietnamese Intellectuals and Experts, held on August 22, 2024, that Vietnamese scholars and experts working abroad have actively contributed practical solutions to accelerate Vietnam’s economic transformation. Their efforts focus on shifting towards a growth model driven by productivity, scientific and technological advancements, and innovation, while also fostering connections between domestic science and technology sectors and global networks.
The Minister also expressed hope that Overseas Vietnamese scholars and experts would assist in attracting foreign investment for science, technology, and innovation. He encouraged their involvement in training human resources, sharing experiences, and enhancing the skills and capabilities of domestic scientists and experts, particularly in key areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, the circular economy, and the sharing economy.
Speaking at the Conference and Forum, Professor Nghiem Duc Long – Chairman of VASEA, Director of the Center for Water Environment, University of Technology Sydney UTS expressed
“We Aspire to Contribute to Our Homeland”
Currently, over 21,000 Vietnamese students are studying and working in Australia, with more than 500 scientists, lecturers, and professors conducting research and teaching at Australian universities and research institutes. Globally, around half a million highly qualified Vietnamese professionals are living and working abroad, representing a tremendous scientific potential for Vietnam.
Science and technology have profoundly transformed various aspects of life, from the economy and society to culture, national security, and defence. These advancements have opened doors for the younger generation of Vietnam to study in advanced countries. Many have seized these opportunities, becoming global citizens, working in modern environments, and making significant scientific contributions worldwide. The impact of science and technology is immense. Yet, no matter where we are, we remain Vietnamese—grateful to our parents, appreciative of our teachers, and deeply committed to our homeland. Overseas Vietnamese consistently turn their hearts toward the Fatherland, staying connected to our national roots. We are eager to contribute to the development of our homeland and play a role in the country’s progress.
In recent years, the community of overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs and intellectuals in Australia has grown significantly, becoming a vital resource for contributing to Vietnam’s overall development. This growth led to the establishment of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals and Experts in Australia (VASEA), which has been officially licensed by Australian authorities since May 2023.
With support from both the Australian and Vietnamese governments, VASEA has initiated numerous projects aimed at benefiting Vietnam. Since its establishment, VASEA members have undertaken over 15 research projects, technology transfers, and training collaborations with Vietnam. Notable examples include using the Internet of Things and smart sensors to monitor coastal seawater quality for aquaculture in Xuan Dai Bay (Phu Yen), implementing smart monitoring systems to support sugarcane development, deploying remote sensors to address flood challenges, and advancing digital transformation and green industry/agriculture.
On behalf of VASEA, Professor Nghiem Duc Long urged the government to create special mechanisms to enable Vietnamese intellectuals to return and contribute to their homeland. He proposed establishing guest lecturer programs and short-term research collaborations for scientists to work in Vietnam, creating mechanisms to leverage the expertise of leading Vietnamese professors worldwide as scientific consultants, and investing in a pilot project to launch an online university in Vietnam, featuring lesson plans, lectures, and scientific guidance from Vietnamese professors globally.
