Central Highlands Innovation Forum: Dialogue, Cooperation and Connection

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Duc Niem, Vice Principal of Tay Nguyen University, shared with the press about the innovation forum, photo: Thuy Mien

Introducing to the delegation of journalists from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City participating in the Media Tour 2025 organized by the Australian Consulate General, Dr. Tong Thi Lan Chi, Director of the Dak Lak Innovation Center of Tay Nguyen University, said that the Central Highlands Innovation Forum (CHIC) is an initiative agreed upon by the People's Committees of 5 Central Highlands provinces and the Australian National Science and Technology Research Organization (CSIRO) to be established from 2022.

CHIC is an activity within the framework of the Aus4Innovation program with the aim of strengthening Vietnam's innovation system, funded by the Australian Government and implemented by CSIRO and its strategic partner, the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The establishment objective is to promote innovation to support the sustainable and balanced development of the agricultural and agro-processing sectors in the five Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Lam Dong.

After 3 years of operation, CHIC has built and operated a platform for dialogue, cooperation and connection between entities in the innovation ecosystem, specifically between policy makers (departments, branches, sectors), scientists (institutes, schools), farmers (cooperatives, farmers) and businesses.

The dialogue platform is built in the form of a community on Zalo, and to date has more than 830 members participating. Through this channel, new problems that arise are immediately brought up for discussion by farmers and allow scientists to propose technical solutions.

During the discussion, the parties grasp new issues and come up with the most effective solutions. In the face of issues that many farmers are interested in, institutes and schools also organize talk shows, seminars and invite experts in the industry to discuss and directly answer questions from farmers.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Duc Niem, Vice Principal of Tay Nguyen University, a catalyst related to coffee products, said that the university is one of the beneficiaries when participating in CHIC.

This is because the school team participating in the project always has to work in an environment of change and creativity, and therefore has the opportunity to improve their capacity to serve the community.

Delegation visits Tay Nguyen University, photo: tlsq Australia

Mr. Niem gave an example that needed a forum to find solutions and at the same time identify new opportunities: the anti-deforestation regulation for agricultural products exported to the European Union market (EUDR).

Under the EUDR, goods exported to the EU must be traceable and certified as not being linked to deforestation after 31 December 2020. The EU is now extending the implementation of the EUDR, with the deadline for large businesses starting from 30 December 2025 and for small businesses starting from 30 June 2026. Businesses that fail to comply will be excluded from the EU market.

Mr. Brent Stewart, Deputy Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City, commented that CHIC is an ambitious project and is having a great impact in improving the lives of the community in the Central Highlands. "I am delighted with the contribution of the Australian Government to this project," said Mr. Stewart.

In the coming time, CHIC will be developed in the direction of empowering local partners, with Tay Nguyen University and Tay Nguyen Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute (WASI) playing the main role of coordinating the forum's activities.

One of the next directions is to promote and popularize typical agricultural models, applying innovation to adapt to climate change, reduce carbon emissions and new issues.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dien-dan-doi-moi-sang-tao-khu-vuc-tay-nguyen-doi-thoai-hop-tac-va-ket-noi-18525050905401472.htm