The ENHANCE Final Conference "Challenges and Strengths of Research and Innovation Management and Implementation in Vietnam" took place on the 19^th and 20^th of September, 2018, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (HCM-USSH).

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President, HCM-USSH delivered the Opening Speech in which she expressed her words of thank you to all participants and sponsors. Also, in the speech, a brief overview of the project’s content, the benefits it provided and the remaining challenges to be solved were mentioned. The conference was also inaugurated by Dr. Manuel Palomar, Rector University of Alicante who thanked the president of HCM-USSH and her team for hosting this final event and for acting as national coordinator of the ENHANCE project. Participants included rectors, vice-rectors, deans and representatives from the ENHANCE consortium and representatives from other Vietnamese Universities, Research Institutes, Higher Education & Science and Technology authorities and private companies. Their attendance to this event highlighted the importance of research and innovation in Vietnam and encouraged cooperation between university and industry.
 

The main aim of this Final Conference was to bring together managers, academics and researchers from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research Institutes, Research and Innovation (R&I) authorities, relevant stakeholders and representative from the private sector in order to encourage a discussion on challenges and strengths of R&I management and implementation in Vietnam.

 
A discussion on possible improvements and strategy for R&I management at national and institutional levels was fostered during the Round Table conducted on the second day, following the morning presentations.