On the morning of November 28, the Department of Planning and Investment, in coordination with the National Startup and Innovation Center, organized an in-depth training session on innovation in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Attendees participating in the training included Ms. Duong Thi Tuong Nhi, an expert from the Design Thinking Village of Project 844 and Techfest Vietnam, Mr. Tran Thanh Tuyen, an expert from the Design Thinking Village of Project 844 and Techfest Vietnam, as well as businesses and cooperatives in the locality.

During the training, businesses were updated on digital transformation knowledge, the global digital transformation roadmap, Vietnam's situation, and the practical assessment of the digital transformation process in enterprises. Topics covered included building new production models based on digital technologies, innovation, and business growth.

Ms. Duong Thi Tuong Nhi, an expert from the Design Thinking Village of Project 844

Ms. Duong Thi Tuong Nhi, an expert from the Design Thinking Village of Project 844, emphasized the crucial role of innovation in the development of a country and its businesses, serving as a driving force for economic progress and competitiveness on a global scale. Innovation can occur in both commercial and non-commercial sectors, and many countries are placing innovation at the center of their development strategies, focusing on innovation indices.

Leadership of Department of Planning and Investment delivering the opening speech

The 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ranked Vietnam among the highest in developing countries, at 48th out of 132 countries. Within the Southeast Asia region, Vietnam holds the 4th position, following Singapore (7th), Malaysia (36th), and Thailand (43rd).

Vietnam's startup innovation ecosystem was ranked 54th globally and 12th in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, according to the evaluation by Startup Blink. Participation in the Global Innovation Index is of significant importance, especially considering the global shift towards a network of global innovation.

Business representatives sharing at the training

At present, the Design Thinking Village has implemented several activities in Dak Lak province, applying design thinking to its projects, resulting in tangible outcomes over the past year. Design Thinking is a method that helps participants in the ecosystem apply it to their work and the common tasks of the organization. The purpose of Design Thinking is to provide all experts with a standardized innovation process to develop creative solutions for problems.

Currently, the Design Thinking Village has two programs: MegaCity Connect - Regional Linkage - and MegaUniversity Connect - Linking Institutes - Businesses with the aim of innovative development in Education & Training.

In 2024, the Design Thinking Village hopes to collaborate with departments, sectors, and institutes to implement the application of Raiforest Canvas in local ecosystem development activities, new business ecosystems, regional linkage ecosystems, combined with the innovative method of Design Thinking – placing humans at the center of activities to promote innovative economic development.

According to the evaluation of the Department of Planning and Investment, in the context of deep and wide economic integration, innovation and digital transformation have become more necessary than ever. These methods are effective ways for businesses to innovate their models, gradually shift their business activities to digital platforms, seek additional markets, cut costs, address supply chain disruptions, enhance competitiveness, and adapt to new circumstances.

Through the training session, aimed at providing SMEs and cooperatives in the province with more knowledge about innovation and digital transformation, the goal is to apply this knowledge to develop their capabilities to participate in the market and find suitable solutions to keep up with the era of digital technology.