5-Year Anniversary of the UEH Institute of Innovation: Lighting the path of innovation

On April 17, 2024, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City solemnly organized the '5-Year Anniversary of the UEH Institute of Innovation: Lighting the path of innovation'. This event marks the journey accompanying the national strategy on building a startup nation and developing an innovation ecosystem at a national key university.

The UEH Institute of Innovation UEH was officially launched on April 17, 2019, based on cooperation between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the Singapore Management University with the support of VinaCapital Investment Fund and the Government's Private Economic Development Research Committee. Over five years of establishment, construction, and development, the UEH Institute of Innovation has affirmed its position and become a leading institution for science and technology at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in Science, Technology, and Innovation; carrying out training activities, scientific research, forming a startup ecosystem, and connecting an investor network, supporting enterprises and organizations; consulting, cooperating in scientific and technological services contributing to promoting innovation and transferring research into practice.

Attending the event on behalf of the guests, there were the presence of Mr. Lam Thanh Minh - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Ngo Anh Tin - Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Can Tho City; Mr. Nguyen Huynh Phuoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Hau Giang province; Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu - Director of the Center for Information and Application of Science and Technology Hau Giang; Mr. Lai The Thong - Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai Province; Mr. Nguyen Hoai Trung - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Binh Thuan province; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duy - Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Soc Trang Province.

On behalf of UEH, the attendance included Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Vice President; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairman of the Advisory Council UEH, Director of the Institute of Innovation; along with esteemed faculty members of the University and leaders of departments, Vinh Long Branch.

The overall event photo

Opening the event, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council shared, “The Institute of Innovation has made a significant contribution to connecting UEH with universities, organizations, domestic and international scientists to form a network on innovation; enhancing the ability to identify the UEH brand; thereby contributing to enhancing the reputation of UEH; as well as contributing to the increase of UEH's ranking in prestigious rankings nationally, regionally, and globally. On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Innovation, I believe that, with the efforts and achievements obtained over the past five years, along with the determination of the Institute of Innovation team, the Institute will complete the goals set for the upcoming period and will continue to spread and expand more deeply into the national, regional, and global innovation network.”

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council shares

The 5-year journey of UII is associated with many efforts and proud achievements in scientific, technological and innovative activities: Top 3 organizations contributing to the entrepreurship ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City; I-Star Award 2021; Top 10 best Launchpad in Asia. These achievements are the result of the resolute leadership and direction of the UEH leadership, determination, effort and contribution of the UII team along with the close connection, accompaniment, and cooperation with the Departments and branches of Ho Chi Minh City, localities in the Southeast region, Mekong Delta; prestigious international partners: SMU (Singapore), Leipzig University (Germany)...

In the innovation landscape at UEH, the numbers not only reflect the scale but also demonstrate the great motivation and potential. With a vibrant startup community of over 6000 people and over 300 community support events, UEH has been and is a breeding ground for many startup and innovative activities reaching international stature. The incubation program of the Institute has had more than 120 projects develop successfully, with the total pre-seed investment value over the past three years reaching more than $520,000. The partner network includes over 50 domestic organizations and 20 international ones, and with the publication of over 40 international articles and more than 30 scientific articles, UEH has affirmed itself as a center for research and innovation. UEH students not only participate in over 30 scientific research topics but also contribute to more than 10 international research projects.

Video about 5-Year Anniversary of the UEH Institute of Innovation

Dr. Christopher Han - Stanford University, Director of Innovation Strategy at UEH shared directions on connecting resources from universities with the needs of local communities to promote innovation capacity, methods to promote and how to exploit the potential of innovation at localities in Vietnam in the coming time.

Dr. Christopher Han – Director of Innovation Strategy at UEH speaks

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairman of the Advisory Council on Strategy and Policy, Director of the Institute of Innovation shared about "Local Innovation Index (PII) and positioning innovation capacity". The PII encourages localities to focus on promoting innovation through improving the business environment and support for startups as well as research and development projects. From there, it suggests specific action plans to guide development in each region.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairman of the Advisory Council on Strategy and Policy, Director of the Institute of Innovation shares

In the context where science, technology, and innovation are seen as the driving force of national economic growth, connecting resources from universities with the needs of local communities to promote innovation capacity is extremely urgent. With the action philosophy of “Think Forward. Move Forward. Pay Forward”, UEH commits that in the next five years, it will accompany and co-create values for society contributing to the sustainable economic development of Vietnam, especially in the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta.