Within the framework of its working program in Wuhan City, Hubei Province (China), the SinoBridge Vietnam delegation paid an important visit and held working sessions with Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), one of China’s leading centers for education, research, and technology transfer in high-tech agriculture and life sciences.
The delegation included Dr. Tran Van Tung, Chairman of the Vietnam association for information on science and technology and former vice minister of science and technology, who provided strategic guidance for the working agenda. His presence helped clearly position the visit not merely as an exchange activity, but as a strategic field survey aimed at connecting science, technology, policy, and production between Vietnam and China.
A policy- and science-oriented approach
From the very first working session with HZAU’s leadership, Dr. Tran Van Tung emphasized the importance of deepening science and technology cooperation and closely linking research with the practical development needs of the economy. According to him, high-tech agriculture and the circular economy are not only global trends, but essential requirements for countries pursuing sustainable development.
During professional discussions, Dr. Tran Van Tung showed particular interest in scientific management mechanisms, investment models for applied research, and the way China organizes innovation ecosystems around key universities such as HZAU.
From lecture halls to spin-off enterprises
The working program at HZAU was designed with a strong field-based orientation, enabling the delegation to directly survey spin-off enterprises, experimental centers, and technology transfer facilities affiliated with the university. Dr. Tran Van Tung and members of the delegation spent considerable time exchanging views with scientists and research-based enterprises to gain in-depth insights into models for commercializing scientific research outcomes.
According to Dr. Tran Van Tung, HZAU’s most outstanding strength lies in its ability to create a “continuous flow” from basic research to large-scale production-an area in which Vietnam currently has a strong need, as many scientific research results have yet to be effectively utilized.
The integrated “Scientist - Enterprise - Market” model
One of the key issues of particular interest to Dr. Tran Van Tung was the integrated model linking scientists, enterprises, and markets that HZAU is implementing. Under this model, the university not only plays a role in education and research, but also acts as a core driver in guiding technological directions, quality standards, and product development strategies.
Dr. Tran Van Tung noted that this model reflects modern science governance thinking, in which the state provides a supportive policy framework, universities lead knowledge creation, and enterprises serve as the main actors in implementation and market expansion. This represents highly valuable experience for Vietnam in building its national innovation ecosystem.
High-Tech agriculture linked with the circular economy
During visits to experimental centers, Dr. Tran Van Tung highly appreciated HZAU’s approach to integrating biotechnology, digitalization, and smart management into agricultural production, while closing resource-use loops in line with circular economy principles.
From the treatment of agricultural by-products and livestock waste to energy regeneration and bio-based materials, the models implemented at HZAU demonstrate clear economic and environmental benefits. According to Dr. Tran Van Tung, this direction is well aligned with Vietnam’s strategies on green growth, economic transformation, and sustainable agricultural development.
Opening prospects for Vietnam-China science and technology cooperation
From the perspective of science diplomacy, Dr. Tran Van Tung considered the visit to HZAU an important opportunity to promote substantive cooperation among scientific organizations, enterprises, and management agencies of both countries. Potential areas of cooperation discussed include joint applied research, technology transfer in high-tech agriculture, science and technology human resource training, and support for the establishment of spin-off enterprises in Vietnam.
Representatives of the SinoBridge Vietnam delegation affirmed that, with its connecting role, SinoBridge will continue to serve as a bridge between Chinese partners and Vietnam’s science-technology-enterprise ecosystem, under the consultation and guidance of leading experts such as Dr. Tran Van Tung.
Connecting knowledge and transforming it into productive capacity
At the conclusion of the working program, Dr. Tran Van Tung highly valued the open and cooperative spirit of HZAU and its affiliated enterprises. He emphasized that the greatest value of the visit lies not only in the specific models observed, but also in the organizational mindset and operational mechanisms of the science and technology ecosystem.
The experiences gained from this mission will serve as an important foundation for SinoBridge Vietnam to continue proposing concrete cooperation programs, contributing to the transformation of scientific knowledge into real productive capacity and supporting the sustainable development of agriculture and the circular economy in Vietnam in the coming period.
