Research and Partnership Opportunities

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre stands at the forefront of a bold new era in 5G/6G research, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, bringing together the brightest minds from academia, industry, and government. Established through a groundbreaking partnership between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (also formerly known as Ministry of Information and Communications, MoIC).

The Centre serves as a dynamic hub for innovation, policy leadership, and next-generation connectivity solutions. Situated at the prestigious Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Hanoi, the Centre is a testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to driving technological advancement and strengthening global cyberspace resilience.

With Nokia - a world leader in 5G/6G technologies - as its founding industry partner, the Centre is uniquely positioned to unlock the full potential of emerging technologies like 5G/6G. By bridging cutting-edge research with real-world applications, the Centre will empower key industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, energy, transport, and agriculture, accelerating digital transformation across Vietnam, Australia, and beyond. Moreover, this initiative fosters deeper people-to-people linkages, shaping a future where research excellence, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking technological solutions converge to propel both nations to the forefront of the global digital economy.

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre is more than just a research institution - it is a visionary platform for innovation and collaboration. As we embark on this transformative journey, we invite academics, businesses, and policymakers to join us in shaping the future of 5G/6G, AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and beyond. With upcoming initiatives such as 5G scholarships, strategic technology seed funding grants, and a Women in Technology mentorship program, the Centre is committed to fostering inclusive, forward-thinking technological leadership. 

Key Activities: 

A1. Setting up the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Centre in Hanoi with the support of both Australia (through DFAT) and Vietnam (through MoST/MoIC)

A2. Developing 5G/6G-empowered applications, use cases and other strategic technologies that are of mutual interested between Australia, Vietnam and international communities, towards sustainable, secure, and cyber-safe societies

A3. Engaging with industry, education, government partners, showcasing strategic technology applications, facilitating Australia-Vietnam cooperation and fostering new business opportunities between the two countries.

Key Partners​:

• University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is the Australian Lead of the project. UTS is responsible for the overall governance, delivery, coordinating with all partners (DFAT, MoST/MoIC, Nokia, PTiT and other industry​ partners

• Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (also formerly known as Ministry of Information and Communications, MoIC) on behalf of the Vietnam Government, is the policy-making and regulatory body in key ICT. MoST/MoIC and its Minister Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung is the key driver of this Australia-Vietnam Strategic Centre from its idea, originated from his visit to UTS Nokia 5G Future Lab at UTS Tech Lab and then followed up by Nokia, UTS, Australian Embassy in Hanoi, PTiT, and other government departments of Vietnam and Australia. ​ 

• Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) Viet Nam is the key and leading university in the areas of 5G/6G technologies in Vietnam, under MoIC/MoST. Under the instruction of MoIC, PTiT will provide premises, hosting cost of equipment, utilities. Through PTiT, MoIC, the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Centre can engage broadly with industry, government, education partners in Vietnam, multiplying the impact of the project.​

• Nokia, a global leader in 5G/6G, is the key industry driver and the technology partner of the Centre. Nokia Vietnam and Nokia Australia have been working closely with UTS, MoIC, PTiT and other partners to bring 5G applications to different sectors. ​

Our Research

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre is at the forefront of next-generation connectivity research, pioneering advancements in 5G and 6G and other strategic technologies to transform industries, enhance security, and drive real-world innovation. Our research is designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications, ensuring that 5G/6G networks deliver unprecedented speed, security, and reliability across critical sectors. By fostering global collaboration, we aim to redefine the future of connectivity and empower industries with breakthrough solutions that have tangible, long-term impacts.

High-impact research areas include:

+) Transforming Industries with 5G/6G-Powered Applications 

Next-generation networks have the power to redefine how industries operate. Our research develops cutting-edge 5G/6G applications that revolutionize smart cities, agriculture, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging ultra-reliability and low-latency connectivity, edge computing, and AI integration, we create solutions that enhance efficiency, enable automation, and support real-time decision-making. These applications not only improve quality of life but also drive economic growth, positioning Australia and Vietnam as leaders in digital transformation. 

+) Cyber Resilience & Advanced Threat Response for 5G/6G Networks 

With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, securing critical infrastructure is more urgent than ever. Our research develops state-of-the-art strategies and AI-driven tools to fortify 5G/6G networks against emerging cyberattacks. By dynamically adapting to evolving threats, these solutions ensure uncompromised security and reliability for businesses, governments, and communities. Furthermore, this initiative fosters cross-border collaboration between government agencies, private enterprises, and academic institutions, creating a unified front against cyber threats. Through this research, Australia and Vietnam will jointly enhance digital resilience, setting new global benchmarks in cybersecurity. 

+) Advancing AI Applications and AI Governance for a Secure Digital Future 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, but its rapid growth necessitates robust AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible deployment. At the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre, we focus on developing trustworthy AI models, advancing privacy-preserving AI techniques, and formulating governance policies that balance innovation with accountability. Our research explores AI-powered decision-making in 5G/6G networks, regulatory frameworks for AI ethics, and explainable AI (XAI) modelsthat enhance transparency in critical applications like healthcare, cybersecurity, and digital finance. By integrating AI governance principles with cutting-edge technology, we aim to build a future where AI-driven solutions are safe, equitable, and aligned with societal values, strengthening Australia-Vietnam collaboration in global AI leadership.

+) Pioneering Next-Generation Connectivity with NTN, Satellite & Space Communications 

Beyond terrestrial networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), includingsatellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPS), and space-based communications, are crucial for ensuring global connectivity, disaster resilience, and secure communication infrastructures. Our research focuses on hybrid satellite-5G/6G integration, optimizing low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks for seamless coverage, and AI-driven resource management for NTNs.These innovations will enable ultra-reliable, low-latency satellite communications, bridging the digital divide for remote and rural communities, and IoT-based smart industries.Through strategic partnerships, we are shaping the future of satellite and space-based connectivity, ensuring secure, high-speed, and cost-efficient communication solutions for both terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments.

+) Semiconductor Innovation for 5G, AI, and Quantum Technologies 

Semiconductors form the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, powering everything from 5G/6G networks and AI accelerators to emerging quantum computing systems. The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre is actively engaged in research on next-generation semiconductor design, energy-efficient chip architectures, and advanced fabrication techniques to drive innovation in wireless communication, high-performance computing, and AI-driven automation. With an emphasis on supply chain resilience and sustainable semiconductor production, we are fostering collaborations to enhance Vietnam’s semiconductor industry and strengthen Australia’s leadership in advanced microelectronics. Our work in RF chip design, chip security, AI-enhanced circuit optimization, and neuromorphic computing ensures that the next wave of intelligent systems is both powerful and secure, positioning Australia and Vietnam at the forefront of semiconductor research.

Our Labs

Cutting-Edge 5G Lab: Powering the Future of Innovation

A state-of-the-art 5G laboratory has been fully deployed and set up at PTIT, marking a significant leap forward in next-generation connectivity research and real-world applications. This advanced facility is equipped with cutting-edge 5G technology, enabling researchers, students, and industry partners to explore, test, and develop innovative solutions that will shape the digital landscape of tomorrow.

The comprehensive 5G solution includes:

• 5G Indoor BTS – Delivering ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity for real-time applications.
• 5G Edge-Core – Enabling edge computing for high-speed data processing at the network’s edge.
• Transport Infrastructure – Supporting seamless Internet and Intranet connectivity for scalable experiments.
• Industrial 5G Handheld Devices – Offering real-world testing platforms for 5G-powered applications.
• Industrial 5G Router – Facilitating robust, mission-critical industrial networking solutions.
• State of the art SDRs

The lab will feature next-gen applications, including NTC (Nokia Teams Comm), NDT (Nokia Digital Twins), and MXIE (Mission Critical Industrial Edge), showcasing the vast capabilities of 5G in smart industries, digital collaboration, and critical infrastructure management.

5G/6G Wireless Communications and IoT Networking Lab: Pioneering the Future of Intelligent Connectivity 

The 5G/6G Wireless Communications and IoT Networking Lab is at the cutting edge of next-generation wireless innovation, driving breakthroughs in AI-empowered communications, democratized cyberinfrastructure, immersive metaverse experiences, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Our mission is to revolutionize ultra-reliable, low-latency, and massive-scale connectivity by developing intelligent network architectures that seamlessly integrate V2X, drone communications, and dynamic spectrum-sharing mechanisms. With a focus on real-world impact, we analyze how emerging technologies and services will transform industries, cities, and global communication ecosystems.

Our research extends across the entire wireless stack, from physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers to network (NET) and application layers, tackling challenges such as multi-radio access technology coexistence, real-time spectrum mapping, interference mitigation, and economics-driven spectrum auctioning. By harnessing Generative AI, we push the boundaries of 5G/6G capabilities, enabling AI-driven edge network architectures, adaptive radio environments, and next-gen immersive experiences. We explore how GenAI can generate, optimize, and enhance content delivery, while also addressing the security implications of AI-powered cyber threats, including deepfake manipulation, AI-driven phishing, and adversarial attacks on network defenses.

By combining AI, IoT, and wireless networking, our lab is redefining the future of intelligent, self-optimizing, and secure communication systems. Whether it's autonomous spectrum management, resilient NTN networks, or metaverse-ready ultra-low-latency architectures, we are pioneering the foundation for the next era of digital transformation.

🔗 Webpage: 5G/6G Wireless Communications and IoT Networking Lab

These cutting-edge 5G labs are more than just research facilities – they are a launchpad for innovation, empowering Vietnam and Australia to lead the way in 5G connectivity, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

Scholarships and Seed Grants Opportunities

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Centre is committed to supporting outstanding candidates who are passionate about advancing emerging technologies including 5G/6G, AI, quantum computing, semiconductor, etc. We offer seed grants and scholarships to talented individuals who demonstrate a strong potential to contribute to the development Centre and strategic technology collaboration between Australia and Vietnam. 

To apply for these programs, please visit our website for more information on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and required documents. We look forward to receiving your application and supporting your academic and research pursuits in the field of strategic technologies. 

1) Scholarships

Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Scholarship

Designed to recognize outstanding Vietnamese students who are making excellent contributions to the advancement of emerging technologies and support excellence in research, this scholarship provides a Certificate of Recognition, intensive training with world-leading experts, a cash prize of AUD $500, and travel allowance of up to AUD $250 for students residing outside Hanoi. Open to students conducting research in strategic technologies, e.g., AI, IoT, Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies, and Semiconductor, this scholarship aims to cultivate innovation, academic excellence, and cross-border collaboration.

2) Women in Technology & Innovation Awards

2025 Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Training Workshop

These awards recognize and empower exceptional female students/scientists who have potential to make groundbreaking contributions to strategic technologies. As part of this initiative, 20 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding women in STEM who have demonstrated or have potential to make remarkable innovation, leadership in their fields. This award not only celebrates academic excellence but also reinforces the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping the future of technology and research. The successful candidates will have great opportunities to be supervised and mentored during the academic careers by world-leading experts. By championing female talent, we aim to inspire the next generation of women leaders in innovation and technology for Vietnam, Australia and the world.

3) Seed Grant Opportunities 

Guidelines and Application Information

We are excited to announce prestigious Seed Grants Proposals, offering a transformative opportunity for visionary Vietnamese academics and scientists to pioneer strategic technology research. With 5 exclusive seed grants of AUD $15,000 each, this initiative supports breakthrough projects that push the boundaries of next-generation connectivity empowered by 5G/6G, AI, cybersecurity, semiconductor. Successful applicants will have the chance to make real-life impact, and contribute to the global advancement of strategic technologies. Whether working individually or in teams, this is a great opportunity to develop new collaboration, lead innovation, and strengthen Vietnam-Australia strategic technologies ties, and shape the future of digital transformation. 

Industry and Government Engagement/Training Workshops

2025 Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Training Workshop

The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre is excited to announce a series of workshops dedicated to exploring the transformative potential of strategic technologies. These workshops will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in enabling and emerging technologies, e.g., AI, IoT, Quantum, Satellite, Semiconductor, Nano, Cyber Security, etc. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the first series aims to accelerate the adoption and integration of 5G/6G technologies across various sectors, driving innovation and economic growth.

Organisation

Government Advisory Board

Centre Director: Associate Professor Diep N. Nguyen

Head of Education Engagement: Associate Professor Dang Hoai Bac

Head of Government Engagement: Associate Professor Hoang Huu Hanh

Head of Industry Engagement: Professor Long Nghiem

Head of Women in Technology and Innovation: Associate Professor Nguyen Phi Le