USAID helps Vietnam develop human resources for startup ecosystem
The Ministry of Planning and Investment's National Innovation Centre (NIC) on January 23 held an event to review its activities under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Workforce for an Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem (WISE) programme.
NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Planning and Investment's NationalInnovation Centre (NIC) on January 23 held an event to review its activitiesunder the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Workforcefor an Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem (WISE) programme.
Inhis remarks, NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy revealed that the USAID supported NIC inimplementing the programme during 2021-2023, aiming to train and further enhancethe quality of Vietnam's human resources serving the Fourth IndustrialRevolution.
Overthe three years, the initiative targeted strengthening basic digital skills aswell as developing the market for digital skills training and innovativefinancial solutions for education. The NIC collaborated with numerous public andprivate partners to organise various training sessions, conferences, andin-depth seminars to address issues related to the development of high-qualityhuman resources in key areas such as AI, cloud computing, product development,and smart factories.
Henoted that these activities successfully engaged many partners with a highlevel of outreach and were evaluated as effective. They also had a positive impact on thebeneficiaries in reaching rural areas and vulnerablegroups like labourers. The project also expanded connections with partnersand networks, particularly innovation and startup centres,universities and colleges, which are hubs of intellectual resources.
DouglasBalko, head of USAID Vietnam’s office for state governance and economic growth,said integrationis a focal point in the work of USAID, and through this partnership with NIC, WISEhas supported partners in expanding access to innovation and digital skillstraining, narrowing the gender and urban-rural gap, and enhancing the country'sdigital workforce.
Theachievements of the programme will serve as a foundation for further progressand innovation, he said, adding that the initiatives and partnerships USAID hasfostered will continue to develop strongly, creating a sustainable ecosystemfor innovation and entrepreneurship in Vietnam./.
Over the past time, the US Agency For International Development (USAID) Linksages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) project has significantly supported the Vietnamese Government in researching, reviewing and popularising mechanisims to improve business climate, thus enhancing competitiveness capacity of local SMEs.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of (MoIT) of Vietnam and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital trade activity in Vietnam at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 13.
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NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
