The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Aus4skills Program and the University of Da Nang, hosted the 2025 University–Industry Linkages Forum on 25 August in Da Nang, spotlighting tripartite cooperation in high-tech and strategic technology development.
The event brought together nearly 120 delegates, including Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son, representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, DFAT, leaders from high-tech enterprises and representatives of more than 50 universities and vocational education and training (VET) colleges.
The forum gathers delegates from ministries, government agencies, universities and enterprises.
Presentation by Mr Hiroaki Shibata, Head of Sales Enablement Navigos (Vietnamwork)
Centred on the theme “Tripartite Cooperation in Training and Research for High Technology and Strategic Technology Development,” the Forum aimed to foster collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and industry to build a skilled workforce and drive innovation.
Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son underscored the pivotal role of enterprises in shaping labour markets and advancing technology. “Businesses are not only employers but also key contributors to scientific and technological progress,” he said. “Their partnership with universities is essential to solving real-world challenges and enhancing national competitiveness.”
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son delivers opening remarks.
While acknowledging previous successes in university–industry partnerships, the Deputy Minister called for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach, supported by clear incentives and robust legal frameworks.
“The Forum should become an annual platform for sharing both achievements and lessons learnt,” Son stated. “We must identify bottlenecks and propose actionable policy recommendations. Success should be measured not just by signed agreements, but by tangible outcomes—applied innovations and well-trained graduates.”
Nguyen Tien Thao, Director General of MOET’s Department of Higher Education, outlined eight key strategies to strengthen university–industry linkages:
- Reform education legislation to support collaboration.
- Shift stakeholder mindsets to recognise mutual benefits.
- Establish a University–Industry Council.
- Align training programs with industry needs.
- Expand structured internship opportunities.
- Develop joint public research centres.
- Enable businesses to commission training and research.
- Support student entrepreneurship through investment and mentoring.
Thao also highlighted ongoing challenges, including limited cooperation culture, resource constraints, and mismatches between graduate skills and industry requirements.
Dr. Greg McMillan, Higher Education Advisor for Aus4Skills, shared Australia’s experience in fostering university–industry collaboration. He noted that such partnerships must evolve with changing economic conditions and employment expectations.
Online presentation by Dr. Greg McMillan, Higher Education Advisor for Aus4Skills.
“University–industry linkages are a continuous journey,” McMillan said. “They must adapt over time to remain relevant and impactful.”
Presentation by Mr Luu Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of Human Resources, Hoa Phat Group
Dr. Nguyen Huong Hue, Transportation Department, Agence française de développement (AFD), joins discussion at the forum.
A key highlight of the Forum was the signing of 21 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between universities and enterprises. These agreements focus on strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, cloud computing, quantum technologies, 5G/6G networks, robotics, semiconductors, energy, advanced materials, aerospace, rare earths, and cybersecurity.
Memorandum signing ceremony
The Forum concluded with a strong consensus among stakeholders on the need for innovative thinking and collaborative action. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to building a robust ecosystem for training and research, aimed at advancing Vietnam’s strategic technology capabilities and fostering sustainable development./.
Source: MOET website
