Opening Conference Innocity 2021 and Vietnam Young Initiative Forum

On June 12 2021, the Opening Conference of InnoCity 2021 successfully took place. With the goal of promoting innovation - creativity spirit and seeking solutions to developing smart cities and urban areas in Vietnam, a series of kick off events were conducted virtual using Zoom. Vietnam Young Initiative Forum was organized to promote, escalate, and discuss the program’s main topic - The role of young Vietnamese in the national innovation revolution.

Participating the Event were more than 50 delegates from multiple important stakeholders, including the main direction unit of InnoCity, HE. Mr. Pham Viet Anh, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Netherlands, HE. Prof. Pham Quang Thao, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) - patronage agency, Mr. Phan Quang Minh, Executive Committee member, Head of Inspection Committee of Vietnam Software and Information Technology Service Association (VINASA), representatives of co-organizer, Mr. Tran Xuan Bach, Central Executive Committee of the Youth Union, Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, General Secretary of the Global Vietnamese Young Scholars Association (Global VYSA); representatives from strategic partners of the program, Mr. Vu Minh Tri – Vice Chairman of VNG Corporation, former General Director of Microsoft Vietnam, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang - President of the Vietnam Association in Europe and delegates from various Vietnamese Student Associations in Europe, representatives of the Coaches, Mentors and the Ambassador of InnoCity 2021.

In his opening speech, Prof. Pham Quang Thao praised the efforts of Vietnamese Student Association in Netherland to create a platform for Vietnamese young talents who are living and working all over the world. He affirmed that VUSTA is delighted and proud to be one of the patronage of this competition and emphasized “VUSTA as an organization that gathers S&T intellectuals at home and abroad is always companion with you on this program and always being the address to help you connect and put innovative solutions into applications in our country”.

Three main topics were discussed in the forum session, including: “The current status of the innovation - creativity ecosystem in Vietnam, particular for smart cities in Vietnam”; “The role of Vietnamese young people in the process of innovation and creativity and their contribution in nation building”; Resources to support and cultivate young Vietnamese at home and abroad to participate in the country’s innovation”.

Speaking at the Forum, Ambassador Pham Viet Anh expressed appreciation the initiative and spirit of determination of the Vietnamese Student Association in the Netherlands as well as enthusiastic response of a large number of the youth, students all over the world, especially the valuable support from donors. Ambassador called the young people and students have actions towards homeland with practical contributions according to their abilities. This is both a debt of gratitude to the country of origin and a responsibility of the future owner of the country.

As a coordinator of the Vietnam young initiatives forum, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, President of the Vietnamese Students’ Association in the Czech Republic, said that the forum attracted great attention of agencies and social – politic organizations at home and abroad, particularly the young people and students who are studying and living in Europe as well as young people who were born in grown up in Europe.

The InnoCity program in 2021 takes place within the framework of 3 rounds, starts at June 2021

Stage 1: Before kick-off event, from 5 June to 15 July, organizing board competition officially opened registration portal to recruit talents in Europe, at https://innocitysite.com/register?fbclid=IwAR2DDqfoqa23VgxzUOBlOK_5XSv7dOIU18xdSAxvfbbscg6Ciclr8FjEy-A

The registrant will make a group, submit the application, and the Professional Council will assess the application. Selected teams will receive a Welcome Parcel and prepare for grouping with the right Coach.

The second stage, from August 1 to August 29, will be for constructing ideas and models (prototyping). Teams will receive training and coaching from distinct exp experts in various fields.

The third phase, from August 30 to September 30 will be for the trial of ideas and the development of product prototypes.

The Final day: October 2 is expected to take place offline in Ho Chi Minh city with the participation of mentor, judge and teams in Vietnam.