In order to develop the model of innovation and creativity within the province of Long An, on September 16th, Saigon Telecommunication & Technologies Corporation (Saigontel) with the leaders National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (Natec) and experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a working session with Long An province.

Attending the working session, on the side of Long An province, there was Mr. Huỳnh Văn Sơn - Vice Chairman of Long An People Commitee, along with the local department and agency leaders. Representing the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development, there was Mr. Phạm Hồng Quất - Director General. Alongside, there were the participation of managers from Saigon Telecommunication & Technologies Corporation and experts from the Asian Development Bank.

According to the meeting content, both sides exchanged insights and explored the current status and direction of the province regarding the development of high-quality human resources. In addition, they put forth proposals aligned with enhancing education and training, fostering high-tech and agricultural innovation to boost the local socio-economic development.

During the meeting, Mr. Fook Yen Chong - Senior manager of Social Sector and leader of the ADB delegation, shared that ADB has previously collaborated with various Vietnamese government agencies in several areas, including provinces like Vĩnh Long, Soc Trang, and Bac Lieu. ADB's primary focus for Long An is in the Education and Social sector, specifically vocational education and training in local colleges, projects to enhance the capabilities of lecturers at these colleges, and short-term vocational training. The entrepreneurship projects supported by Saigontel and Natec, coupled with workforce development, will drive investment in high-tech sectors and create added value for businesses and Long An province, as well as neighboring provinces and, on a larger scale, all of Vietnam.

Furthermore, ADB and Saigontel are currently working together to establish a Southern Vietnam Innovation Center. Therefore, ADB representatives are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the support mechanisms for the project to gradually develop specific, long-term action plans. Given the increasingly harsh weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, innovation in high technology and agriculture is becoming critically important.

In addition, Director of the Saigontel Innovation Center - Mr. Lê Ngọc Tuấn shared that with the support from Natec and ADB for researching and developing a skilled workforce for Long An Province, Saigontel believes that meeting the demand for abundant and high-quality human resources for potential projects will help develop the coastal economic zone and industrial parks that focus on attracting high technology and renewable energy in the province.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Huỳnh Văn Sơn - Vice Chairman of Long An People Commitee expressed deep appreciation for the valuable ideas, assessments, and proposals from the partners regarding industrial issues, innovation, and education and training institutions. He expressed a desire for further, more in-depth collaboration not only in the field of social and educational development but also in broader areas such as coastal economic zone development, innovation, and agriculture.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a multilateral financial development institution with 66 members, consisting of 47 countries in the region and 19 from other parts of the world. Vietnam has been a member of ADB since 1966. ADB envisions a region free from poverty and has a mission to assist its member countries in developing and improving the living standards of their people, particularly by reducing poverty. The Asian Development Bank was established with initial capital contributions from the governments of the United States, Japan, and Western European countries. ADB primarily operates through projects, particularly in areas such as infrastructure investment, agricultural development, and providing loans for basic industries in its member countries.

At the end of the meeting, the Saigontel delegation, along with Natec and ADB, visited Long An College to assess the current material facilities and educational infrastructure of the institution. Currently, Long An College is the only public vocational college in the province, offering training in 17 different vocational fields across 5 key areas: Industrial Electricity, Mechanical Equipment Installation, Electromechanics, Welding, and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering.

Communication Department.