Representatives of the organizing units take a commemorative photo
Introducing Vietnam – Japan Joint AI R&D Program with AI4LIFE and JICA
On May 15, 2025, the seminar “Opportunities for AI Research and Talent Attraction in Vietnam” was jointly hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) and the National Innovation Center (NIC), with support from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The event brought together over 60 enterprises, international organizations and AI experts, underscoring the growing momentum behind Vietnam–Japan collaboration in AI.
HUST as an AI Academia & Applications Hub
JICA and HUST are working in close partnership to position the university as an AI Academia & Applications Hub for fostering AI research, training top talent and driving joint innovation between Vietnam and Japan. During the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Quyet Thang, President of HUST, reaffirmed the university’s deep commitment to AI as a strategic pillar of Vietnam’s digital transformation. He emphasized HUST’s focus on building high-quality human capital, advancing interdisciplinary research and enabling international collaboration—laying the groundwork for Vietnam to become a regional leader in applied AI
The event was jointly organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the National Innovation Center (NIC), with support from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang – Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology – delivered the opening speech
AI4LIFE: Launching the Vietnam–Japan Joint AI R&D Program
A key initiative of this collaboration is the newly launched Vietnam–Japan Joint AI R&D Program, hosted by HUST’s Institute for AI Innovation and Societal Impact (AI4LIFE) and JICA. Established in June 2024, AI4LIFE is Vietnam’s first interdisciplinary AI institute focused on research excellence, talent development and real-world AI applications.
At the event, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Phi Le, Director of AI4LIFE, announced a new collaboration model connecting Japanese enterprises with Vietnamese AI talent. Companies are invited to share their business problems, work with AI4LIFE to select students for 6–12-month projects then directly recruit them upon completion. This approach strengthens both enterprise innovation and student readiness, while deepening Vietnam–Japan cooperation in AI.
Scaling Vietnam’s AI Ecosystem with JICA and NIC
Also at the seminar, JICA and NIC highlighted their flagship initiatives to strengthen Vietnam’s AI ecosystem, including AI NextRise: Vietnam-Japan Talent Connect for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, which connects top AI students with Japanese enterprises, and a dedicated Vietnam AI Startup Accelerator Program that supports early-stage startups through expert mentorship, technical infrastructure and access to funding.
With strong support from academia, industry, and international partners, Vietnam is rapidly developing a robust AI ecosystem—one that empowers young talent, drives applied research and positions the country as an emerging AI innovation hub in Asia. Should you require further information regarding the collaboration, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Mr. Kubo Yoshitomo – Deputy Representative of the JICA Vietnam Office
In the near future, JICA will collaborate with Hanoi University of Science and Technology and the National Innovation Center (NIC) to implement AI human resource development programs and AI startup acceleration programs.
The National Innovation Center (NIC) also plans numerous activities to promote the development of the artificial intelligence sector in 2025, notably the AI NextRise Project and the Intensive AI Startup Acceleration Program.
Should you require further information regarding the collaboration, please do not hesitate to contact us:
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➤ For more information, read the full article in Vietnamese here:
https://www.hust.edu.vn/vi/news/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-dmst/nhan-tai-ai-co-them-co-hoi-but-pha-tai-viet-nam-655447.html