IIASA Deputy Director General Karen Lips represented the Institute at last week's Austria-Vietnam High-Technology and Innovation Forum in Vienna. Following her participation in a high-level panel discussion on digital transformation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to boost collaboration in AI and digital transformation.
Vietnam has been an IIASA member country since 2013 and is represented by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). Over the years, the Institute has collaborated with its Vietnamese partners on a wide range of topics ranging from strategies for pollution management and environmental quality improvement, to water security and other regional and transboundary issues.
During the event, which was attended by high level Vietnamese dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũngto and Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vũ Lê Thái Hoàng, Dr. Lips participated in a panel discussion alongside industry leaders and government officials to explore the transformative power of digital technology in addressing global challenges. Organized in collaboration with Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC), FPT Vietnam, and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), the forum highlighted advancements in smart city applications, digital infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions.
During the discussion, Dr. Lips emphasized the importance of international cooperation in leveraging technology for sustainable development.
"Technology knows no borders, and neither should our efforts to harness its potential for the greater good. Collaborating with partners like VNPT enables us to bridge gaps in innovation and drive meaningful change," she said.
When asked about her expectations for the MoU, Dr. Lips shared her vision for the collaboration: "Our expectations for this Memorandum of Understanding between VNPT and IIASA are ambitious and multifaceted, especially given the accelerating cooperation between Vietnam and Austria. We anticipate this partnership will significantly strengthen Vietnam's AI capabilities through knowledge exchange with IIASA's world-class systems analysis expertise. By combining VNPT's technological infrastructure with IIASA's analytical methodologies, we aim to develop more sophisticated AI solutions that address complex societal challenges.'
She further highlighted the potential impact on Vietnam's Digital Transformation Strategy, stating that evidence-based policy research resulting from the partnership would help policymakers in Vietnam and other IIASA member countries navigate the socioeconomic implications of digital transformation. She also underscored mutual benefits in applying AI to environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution control, and water resource management.
The MoU, signed by Dr. Lips on behalf of IIASA and Dr. Nguyen Van Yen, Member of VNPT Group's Members' Council, outlines collaborative efforts to drive innovation in AI applications, promote joint research projects, and strengthen international networks. With a focus on sustainable development, the partnership aims to leverage technology to address complex global challenges, contributing to both Vietnam's economic growth and global digital transformation goals.
Dr. Lips also offered recommendations for Vietnamese enterprises working with Austrian partners, particularly in the telecommunication and technology fields: 'IIASA can be an ideal partner for Vietnam because we offer a unique portfolio of scientific expertise, global networks, and proven tools to support collaborative, policy-relevant solutions with real-world impact," she said.
Through this latest strategic collaboration with VNPT, IIASA is set to contribute to pioneering advancements in AI and digital transformation, laying the groundwork for impactful innovation in the years to come.
Media coverage of the event:
Nhan Dan (French)
Viêt Nam News (English)
Can Tho Online (Vietnamese)
Vietnam.vn (English)
