New Zealand sends first Science and Tech Mission to Vietnam

Mission members visiting Saigon Hi-Tech Park, Ho Chi Minh City

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on S&T cooperation between New Zealand and Viet Nam earlier this year, a group of senior NZ scientists, university representatives and officials visited Viet Nam from 24-28 May to participate in an S&T fact-finding and networking mission.

The Mission was led by Dr Alex Malahoff, Chief Executive of GNS Science, one of New Zealand’s eight Crown Research Institutes. Organisations represented on the Mission were:

• GNS Science                                                                 
• Nat. Inst. of Water & Atmospheric Research                  
• Plant and Food Research                                             
• Lincoln University                                                             
• Victoria University of Wellington                                   
• Ministry of Research, Science and Technology                  

Promising S&T research links between our two countries already exist. The purpose of the mission, the first of its kind for New Zealand in Viet Nam, was to explore fresh opportunities for cooperation with existing and new partners. Particular areas of research focus included agriculture, food science mineral resources, environment and climate change, water resources, oceanography and mathematics.

During the visit the mission met Vice Minister of Science and Technology H.E. Mr Nguyen Quan, who signed the bilateral Memorandum in Wellington in January. They also participated in networking workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City involving Ministries and Departments of Science and Technology, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment and Education and Training, as well as their respective key research institutes; visited national organisations such as the Vietnam Academy for Science and Technology and Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences; and inspected Viet Nam’s two Hi-Tech Parks.

Further information about New Zealand’s research, science and technology sector can be found here, or by contacting the Embassy.