Workshop on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Universities: Drawing Lessons from the Experience of Israel as a “Startup Nation”

In its development strategy, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) positions innovation and entrepreneurship as strategic priorities. Over the past years, HaUI has been steadily cultivating an innovative ecosystem that encompasses research centers, business incubators, idea hubs, and creative spaces for both students and faculty. HaUI has also implemented supportive policies for startups and facilitated the commercialization of research outcomes. Recognizing collaboration with enterprises and international organizations as a decisive factor, HaUI seeks to transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions, thereby reinforcing its pioneering role in driving innovation within higher education.

On the morning of August 18, the workshop with the theme: "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Universities: Strategies and implementation experiences" was held at Hanoi University of Industry.

Delegates attended the Workshop

The workshop served as a meaningful platform for HaUI to exchange insights on innovative thinking and leadership success. It featured inspiring stories and practical experiences from Israel, leading domestic universities, and prominent Vietnamese enterprises. These exchanges helped foster an entrepreneurial spirit within the university community, encouraged creative thinking, and promoted the renewal of traditional educational methods, thereby laying the foundation for a sustainable innovation ecosystem at HaUI.

In his welcoming remarks to the delegates, speakers, scientists, and business leaders, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of HaUI, expressed his deep admiration for the capacity of advanced countries, particularly Israel, to apply science and technology effectively. He noted that while Hanoi University of Industry has achieved remarkable progress in scientific research, publishing nearly 2,000 works annually with around 30% appearing in reputable international journals, the commercialization of inventions and the translation of research outcomes into practical applications remain major challenges. Assoc. Prof. Dong expressed his hope that the workshop would provide valuable lessons and open new opportunities for deeper cooperation in the future.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of HaUI delivered a welcoming speech

Vice Rector and school leaders of Hanoi University of Industry at the front row

Speakers attended the workshop

Deputy Ambassador Maayan Ben Tura highlighted the key areas in which the Israeli Embassy has been actively engaged in Vietnam, including startups, agricultural technology, water management, and women’s health. She also had the honor of introducing the workshop’s keynote speaker, Ms. Lirone Glikman—an international expert, researcher, and best-selling author on startup ecosystem development. Ms. Ben Tura emphasized that Ms. Glikman is among the most distinguished speakers in this field.

Ms. Maayan Ben Tura - Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Vietnam speaking at the workshop

Ms. Lirone Glikman shared outstanding lessons on innovative thinking from Israel, including a culture of embracing failure, strong government and ecosystem support, intellectual property strategies, a knowledge-driven culture with a global vision, access to international markets, incubation and financial support systems, and technology transfer from universities to enterprises. In her keynote article, “Secrets of Innovation and Leadership – Lessons from Unicorn Founders and Experiences for Vietnam,” Ms. Glikman explained why Israel, despite its small size, has the highest number of startups per capita in the world. Her insights and stories provided powerful inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Ms. Lirone Glikman - Israeli expert on startups and innovation

The workshop also featured Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Institute of Innovation at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, who shared her experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Ms. Thao emphasized the pivotal role of higher education institutions as the backbone of the national innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. She highlighted lessons from leading innovative university models—including MIT, Stanford, NUS, Aalto, and KAIST—to draw insights for Vietnam. In her presentation, she also introduced the UEH co-creation ecosystem, showcasing practical outcomes in training, research, incubation, and commercialization. Concluding her remarks, Ms. Thao proposed policy recommendations aimed at removing barriers and fostering the growth of innovative startups in Vietnam.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Institute of Innovation, shares her experience in innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

At the roundtable discussion, Mr. Doan Hai Nam and Mr. Tran Lich, experts from investment funds and startup incubators, shared their insights and proposed practical directions for universities in supporting the startup process. The speakers examined both the challenges and opportunities facing domestic startups, particularly those originating from the university environment. A key barrier identified was the gap between scientific research and the commercialization of products. To address this, the experts emphasized the need for stronger connections between universities, students, and enterprises, with a special focus on leveraging networks of successful alumni.