Vietnam and NZ Pledge Research Cooperation Boost
The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and New Zealand's Auckland Institute (NZAI) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic research, following a meeting between senior officials from both sides during a visit by Vietnam's General Secretary to New Zealand.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr Nguyen Xuan Thang, chairman of the Central Council for Theoretical Studies, and Associate Professor Antje Fiedler, director of NZAI. They discussed potential areas for collaboration, including international trade, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, green development, renewable energy, circular economy, and energy transition.
Vietnam is particularly interested in New Zealand's experience with green development and renewable energy, with the two sides agreeing to share knowledge on wind power. The meeting also highlighted the importance of the Vietnamese community in New Zealand, which comprises around 15,000 people, including scientists, lecturers, experts, and entrepreneurs.
The proposal is for a centre based at the University of Auckland, but drawing on a wider network of experts from research institutes and universities across New Zealand. This model aims to provide a platform connecting scholars, research institutions, and expert communities from both countries, supporting research on Vietnam, Vietnam-New Zealand relations, and economic, technological, and development issues of shared interest.