Keppel, Vietnam National Innovation Center team up for innovation initiative

Conglomerate Keppel Corp. and Ngee Ann Polytechnic of Singapore have teamed up with Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC) to co-create innovation and entrepreneurship programs for talents in the two countries over the next three years.

The three sides signed a memorandum of understanding at the 7th Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) held in Hanoi on Friday.

The signatories were Linson Lim, Keppel Corporation’s Vietnam chief representative, Lim Kok Kiang, principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and NIC director Vu Quoc Huy.

Their talent development programs will be for tertiary students from Singapore and start-ups from NIC. They will include internships and entrepreneurial events to be conducted at Keppel’s overseas offices, starting with Vietnam, as well as innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up related programs.

Keppel’s Lim said: “As a global asset manager and operator with strong capabilities in infrastructure, real estate and connectivity, Keppel will be able to expose participants to different sectors through meaningful internship opportunities and mentorship.”

Lim of Ngee Ann Polytechnic said: “Together, we will support and nurture the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Vietnam and Singapore, and provide students with the tools to seamlessly traverse borders, cultures and industries in a rapidly changing world.”

In a statement on the three-side partnership, Keppel said the partners are looking to have a lasting impact on the education and start-up landscape in Vietnam and Singapore, creating a favorable environment to nurture talents and start-ups in both countries.

The three-year initiative is expected to start in this year’s fourth quarter.

The 7th SRBF in Hanoi, held for the first time outside of Singapore, commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam.

Keppel Corp. is seeking to make more inroads into the Vietnamese market as the country offers diverse long-term opportunities, including those from energy, green development, the environment, and data centers, Joseph Low, president of Keppel Land Vietnam (part of Keppel Corp.) told The Investor this April.

“Leveraging synergies of Keppel, Keppel Land is actively working with Keppel Capital to invest in new opportunities, he said.

“Beyond urban development, we also see a lot of opportunities in Vietnam in terms of energy and environmental solutions.”

Ngee Ann Polytechnic started in 1963 and is today one of Singapore’s leading institutions of higher learning with over 13,000 enrolled students in about 40 courses across diverse disciplines, the college claims.

The polytechnic also supports Continuing Education and Training (CET) through its CET Academy, which offers a wide range of part-time programs and short courses.

Vietnam’s National Innovation Center, under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, functions to support and develop Vietnam's start-up and innovation ecosystem, contributing to renewing the growth model based on science and technology.

NIC has its headquarters in Hanoi and plans to open an operating base in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in the capital city this October.