Hanoi (VNA) – A series of thematic events within the framework of the Australia-Vietnam innovation partnership programme (Aus4Innovation) was held on July 16 – 17 in Hanoi by the National Agency for Science and Technology Information and Statistics under the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of Australia.

A seminar on improving the effectiveness of science, technology and innovation policies through assessment and regulation mechanisms appropriate to practical situations, was the highlight of the series.

Addressing the seminar, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy emphasised that in the context as Vietnam is promoting institutional reform, the development of policies based on an efficiency assessment mechanism is an urgent requirement to ensure focused investments.

The ministry has organised an assessment of the performance of research institutes, universities, and laboratories to reorganise the system of science and technology organisations and make focused and key investments.

According to Duy, Vietnam's science, technology and innovation ecosystem is designed and operated in the direction of evaluation and investment based on actual efficiency. In recent times, institutional innovation has recorded a fast pace, demonstrated by the completion of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation in just three months.

In particular, the Ministry of Science and Technology has recently been assigned a new task of evaluating the effectiveness of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation activities nationwide. This would create a solid foundation for the ministry to effectively implement programmes, projects and policies, as well as assess the impact of science and technology on socio-economic growth, he said.

He appreciated the support of the Aus4Innovation programme, especially the introduction of new tools in policy evaluation such as progress monitoring methods and performance-based policy design, saying that these tools will be studied and applied immediately in the process of policy building and implementation in the coming time, thus creating real impacts, contributing at least double digits to GDP growth.

Renee Deschamps, Charge d'Affaires of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, highlighted cooperation in science - technology and innovation as one of three important pillars in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Australia, saying that the seminar demonstrates Vietnam's vision and aspiration in promoting comprehensive transformation through innovative policies and practices. She affirmed Australia’s commitment to accompanying Vietnam on this journey.

According to Deschamps, the framework project for assessing innovation policy pff Vietnam - a prominent component of Aus4Innovation programme, aims to equip Vietnamese policy makers with practical and evidence-based tools to develop and evaluate innovation policies with a comprehensive lens that not only promotes economic growth but also contributes to ensuring social equity and sustainable environmental management.

Experts and speakers gave opinions from different perspectives of state management agencies, universities, science - technology - innovation parks, high-tech zones, and enterprises on the changes and impacts of mechanisms and policies on innovation issued by the Vietnamese National Assembly in recent times such as Resolution 57, Resolution 68, and the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Meanwhile, a training programme themed “Operating innovation policy: Designing and evaluating policy impact”, which was joined by many international experts from CSIRO and Aus4Innovation programme, focused on national innovation system, policy design thinking integrating social-environmental factors and regulatory impact assessment (RIA) tools./.