Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird cutting the ribbon to launch the Centre alongside Mr. Bui The Duy - Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (4th from the left), Prof, Dr Tu Minh Phuong – Chairman of the Council of PTIT (3rd from the left), Mr. Dang Hoai Bac - President of PTIT (2nd from the left) and Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice Chancellor/President of UTS (2nd from the right)
Australia and Vietnam have officially launched the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre, a new bilateral initiative to accelerate digital transformation through advanced research in 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and semiconductors.
The Centre was unveiled at a ceremony in Hanoi attended by more than 300 guests, including Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Bui The Duy, and Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Gillian Bird.
The partnership is a collaboration between Vietnam’s Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). It aims to bring together top minds from academia, industry and government to drive technological innovation and policy leadership in strategic digital domains.
“Australia is proud to be partnering with Vietnam to drive innovation and digital transformation, which are key to Vietnam’s economic growth,” said Ambassador Bird. “This is a practical demonstration of Australia’s commitment to supporting science and innovation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
The Centre is expected to play a vital role in supporting Vietnam’s implementation of Resolution 57, which outlines the country’s digital development ambitions. By connecting Vietnamese institutions with Australia’s education and innovation networks, the initiative seeks to deliver measurable outcomes in technology advancement and capacity building.
Digital technologies and digital trade are seen as crucial enablers of economic growth and social development, particularly in empowering women entrepreneurs. These themes are also central to the joint Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy between the two countries.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided AUD 2.1 million in initial funding for the Centre. Telecommunications giant Nokia is supplying technical equipment to support its operations.
The launch of the Centre marks a significant step forward in Australia and Vietnam’s shared vision of a digitally connected, secure and prosperous future.
