Vietnam University & College Innovation–Startup Network Conference 2025: Realizing Resolution 57 to Propel National Science, Technology and Innovation

On April 12, 2025, the Vietnam University & College Innovation–Startup Network Conference 2025, also known as VNEI Innovation Summit 2025, was officially held. The event was organized jointly by the Vietnam University & College Innovation–Startup Network (VNEI), the National Innovation Center (NIC), and UEH (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City), with the theme:

“The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Realizing Resolution 57 on Promoting National Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation.”

Purpose and Scope

This national-level conference convened leaders from universities, colleges, state management agencies, innovation experts, and representatives of startups to discuss and promote the implementation of Resolution 57 (NQ-TW 57) in the domain of education. The event served as a strategic forum to coordinate efforts in driving national priorities in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation through the higher education sector.

The gathering occurred in the context of Vietnam’s urgent and resolute efforts to build and deploy action plans for Resolution 57 (NQ-TW 57) and Government Resolution 03/NQ-CP, both of which emphasize enhancement of research, innovation and technological capacity in national socio-economic development.

Participants and Key Speakers

The conference was attended by distinguished figures across government, academia, and industry, including:

• Mr. Trần Nam Tú, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Information, Ministry of Education and Training
  
  Mr. Phạm Đức Nghiệm, Deputy Director of the Department of Startup & Technology Enterprises, Ministry of Science and Technology.

• Mr. Lê Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City

• Mr. Nguyễn Minh Hải, Director of Long An Department of Science & Technology

• Ms. Đoàn Hồng Hạnh, Director of Vĩnh Long Department of Science & Technology

• Mr. Nguyễn Kỳ, Deputy Director of Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Department of Science & Technology

From UEH and VNEI’s side:

• Mr. Đỗ Tiến Thịnh, Deputy Director, National Innovation Center (NIC)

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

• Prof. Dr. Sử Đình Thành, Rector of UEH
  
  Dr. Đinh Công Khải, Vice Rector of UEH

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt, Chair, Strategic and Policy Council, also Director of UII (Institute of Innovation, UEH)

Additionally, university leaders, departmental officers, faculty, innovation specialists, and startup representatives from across the country joined the event.

Highlights and Discussions

Opening Remarks and Vision

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Sử Đình Thành emphasized that Resolution 57 has profound significance for education. He pointed out that universities must balance two roles:

1. Training high-quality human resources on par with international standards;

2. Leading in scientific research, innovation, and adoption of advanced technologies.
   
   He described NQ-TW 57 as ushering in a new chapter for Vietnamese higher education—rich in opportunities yet fraught with challenges.

He further stated that synergy among higher education institutions, industry, and community, coupled with continuous innovation, positions universities to play a pivotal role in advancing science, technology, innovation (STI) and digital transformation nationwide.

At UEH, innovation and entrepreneurship activities span beyond students—extending to secondary and high schools, startups in Vietnam and Southeast Asia—via training programs, competitions like BizTech Hackathon, Sandbox initiatives, incubation and accelerator programs.

To date, UEH has supported and incubated over 150 startup projects, with approximately 40% having formed legal entities, and seed-stage investment support reaching nearly USD 700,000.

These accomplishments reflect UEH’s ongoing commitment to building a sustainable innovation startup ecosystem.

Selected Panels & Themes

The conference featured five distinguished keynote presentations, which addressed highly relevant, application-oriented topics tied to implementation of Resolution 57 in higher education:

1. “VNEI – Strategic Human Resources for National Innovation” by Dr. Nguyễn Trung Dũng

2. “Approaches to Promote Innovation in Parallel with Autonomous Public Universities” by Prof. Lê Ngọc Hùng

3. “Policy Framework for Innovation Development in Higher Education” by Mr. Trần Nam Tú

4. “UEH’s Strategic Priorities Amid New Government Policies for Innovative Universities” by Dr. Christopher Han

5. “Frameworks for Evaluating Innovative Universities: International & Vietnamese Perspectives” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trương Thị Nam Thắng

From these, delegates deliberated on the strategic role of universities in:

• Effectively deploying Resolution 57;

• Strengthening coordination among policy makers, universities, industry, and communities;

• Proposing mechanisms and policies to empower universities to lead, diffuse, and scale innovation across national regions.

High-Level Panel & Dialogue

The highlight of the conference was a high-level dialogue centered on “Resolution 57 and the Role of Higher Education Institutions in the National Innovation Ecosystem.”

Moderated by Mr. Phạm Tuấn Hiệp (Project Director, BK Holdings), panelists included:

• Mr. Đỗ Tiến Thịnh, NIC Deputy Director

• Mr. Phạm Đức Nghiệm, MOIT

• Mr. Lê Thanh Minh, Ho Chi Minh City Science & Tech Department

• Prof. Trương Ngọc Kiểm, Vice Chairman, VNE

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thị Bích Nguyệt, Director, UII

• Prof. Dr. Lê Thị Thu Hà, former VNEI Chair, Ex-Director of UEH’s Innovation Center

• Mr. Hứa Phú Doãn, President of HCM City Medical Equipment Association

The dialogue facilitated diverse perspectives from policy makers, experts, and academic leaders, forming a comprehensive picture of how universities can lead, integrate, and scale innovation nationwide—especially under the simultaneous pressures of autonomy, resource constraints, and digital transformation.

Within the conference framework, certificates were also awarded to new members of the University & College Innovation–Startup Network, reflecting the network’s expansion and strengthening of collaborative infrastructure.

A preliminary framework was introduced for criteria of “Innovative University”, enabling institutions to self-assess, strategize, and deepen their innovation posture in a context of autonomy and global integration.

In the broader context of national economic development, this event reaffirmed that science, technology, and innovation must act as engines of growth. Strengthening linkages between universities and community demands, and building a 4P innovation ecosystem (Public – Private – People – Partnership), is essential for implementing national strategies.

UEH, envisioning itself as a research-intensive, multidisciplinary university with deep responsibility to the community, continues to align academic knowledge with practical needs. By doing so, it contributes to Vietnam’s breakthrough development in the era of innovation.