New Zealand - Viet Nam scientific ties strengthened

Scientific cooperation between New Zealand and Viet Nam has been strengthened following a high-level meeting in Wellington.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Research, Science and Technology Chief Executive Dr Helen Anderson, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology Vice Minister Dr Nguyen Quan signed a memorandum of co-operation (MoC) on science and technology.

The MoC strengthens each government’s commitment to encouraging research collaboration.
“This is a first step to broaden our bilateral collaboration in scientific and technological research for mutual benefit. The research relationship between our two countries has great potential to benefit both New Zealand and Viet Nam,” Dr Anderson says.

Scientific collaboration between New Zealand and Viet Nam has increased over the past five years. Research organisations are collaborating in a range of areas, including plant biotechnology, earth science and sustainability.

Dr Alex Malahoff, the chief executive of GNS Science, says “the MoC is an excellent way to reflect and build on the connections we have in Viet Nam. We are looking forward to expanding research links.”
Discussions on possible collaborations will continue later this year when a delegation of high level New Zealand scientists and science leaders visits Viet Nam.

2010 is the 35th anniversary of the New Zealand and Viet Nam’s bilateral relationship (1975-2010). The signing of the MoC is the first event to celebrate the anniversary.