A recent Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee delegation visit to the University of Sydney has demonstrated commitments to advance research in the areas of health care and global decarbonisation.

The delegation, led by Chairman Mr Phan Van Mai and including Vietnamese government officials from Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health, toured the University of Sydney’s biomedical engineering facilities before sharing key updates and priorities with leaders from the Institute and the University of Sydney.

Hearing from University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Mark Scott AO, Chairman Mr Phan Van Mai, and University of Sydney Vietnam Institute Executive Director and Head of Research, Professor Thu-Anh Nguyen, attendees learned about research priorities, innovation in health, and future opportunities.

Two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the University, Sydney Net Zero Institute, and the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Health and HCMC Institute For Development Studies.

Professor Scott and Dr Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director General of the HCMC Department of Health, signed the MOU between the University of Sydney and the HCMC Department of Health.

The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute works closely with University of Sydney researchers on studies to advance healthcare. The MOUs will facilitate easier collaboration and knowledge sharing across countries. 

The MOU between the Net Zero Institute and the HCMC Institute for Development Studies was signed by Professor Mark Scott AO, Director of the Net Zero Institute, Professor Deanna D’Alessandro, and Dr Truong Minh Huy Vu, Deputy Director of the HCMC Institute for Development Studies.

With climate change a shared challenge for Vietnam and Australia, NetZero is an important area of research expansion for the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute. 

According to the Institute's Executive Director and Head of Research Professor Thu-Anh Nguyen, the MOU signing is indicative of the need for collaboration between countries to meet decarbonisation targets.

"Reaching decarbonisation targets is a global challenge, which will need action from researchers, governments and industry," said Professor Nguyen.

"The Institute will play an important role in connecting University of Sydney researchers with our partners Vietnam, as well as supporting the studies needed to advance decarbonisation technology and policies."