10 September 2013​

Australian and Vietnamese institutions will be better placed to expand scientific and technological collaboration following the signing of a bilateral agreement on cooperation in science and technology during the visit of Vietnamese Science Minister Prof Nguyen Quan to Australia in June.

The treaty-level agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Australia and Vietnam was signed in Canberra on 26 June 2013.The agreement further cemented the growing science and technology relationship between Australia and Vietnam. The agreement provides the legal basis, required by Vietnamese institutions, for collaborative research and exchanges of experts.

The agreement paves the way for Australian institutions to take advantage of opportunities in the science and technology arena in Vietnam. Shared areas of interest include climate change, agriculture, biotechnology, health, and information and communications technology.

The visit included a roundtable to discuss science and research governance with the Australian Chief Scientist and departmental representatives. Minster Quan also visited Questacon and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Sydney.

Vietnamese Minister for Science and Technology, His Excellency Professor Nguyen Quan, and Patricia Kelly during the occasion of the signing of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, at Parliament House on 26th June 2013.