Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre

A strategic industry partnership 

With Nokia — a global leader in 5G/6G technologies — as its founding industry partner, the Centre bridges cutting-edge research with real-world applications. It empower key sectors such as  

• Healthcare

• Manufacturing

• Energy

• Transport 

• Agriculture

Beyond research, the initiative also fosters people-to-people connections, enabling collaboration between academics, industry innovators, and policymakers to shape a future where technological excellence and partnership drive shared prosperity. 

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.

Industry and government engagement/training workshops

Download the 2025 Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Training Workshop (PDF, 470kB) 

Download the 2026 Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Forum (PDF, 198kB)

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: 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

Key partners​

• Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• University of Technology Sydney (UTS): Australian lead for governance and delivery 

• Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST): Policy-making and regulatory leadership 

• Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT): Vietnam’s leading university in 5G/6G technologies 

• Nokia: Global pioneer in 5G/6G, delivering practical solutions across multiple sectors