On February 26 (local time), the group of Da Nang’s officials, led by municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, visited and worked at the headquarters of World Bank (WB) and the Intel Technology Group in the US.

A delegation of Da Nang's officials visits and works with the headquarters of the World Bank in the US. Photo: PV

During his working session with WB, Vice Chairman Minh introduced local investment environment, and strengths, especially in the field of hi-tech, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor development to the hosts.

He, therefore, took the opportunity to ask for support from WB to train human resources in AI and semiconductor for the city.

In reply, the WB representative remarked that WB has been contributing positively to Viet Nam's development, especially in the field of education.

The Da Nang delegation takes a souvenir photo with WB representatives in the US. Photo: PV

Currently, WB is spending US$400 million supporting universities in Viet Nam in improving facilities, building research centres, providing financial support and enhancing management capacity. Of the figure, US$100 million USD goes to support the University of Da Nang.

In the near future, WB will continue to support Viet Nam in implementing two major directions. In particular, it will advise the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training on education development to enhance the global value chain of Viet Nam by 2045. Also, it will support the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment in building resources for semiconductor and AI fields.

Notably, Da Nang will receive special attention from WB, and the two sides will together hold a meeting to discuss deeper cooperation in mid-March.

Mr. Alex Twinomugisha, Head of the World Bank's Innovation and Technology Education Group, said he will work closely with the Danang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC) to advise on policies to support AI research for local universities.

He also said that the President of the WB is expected to visit Viet Nam in the middle of the week or late March 2024. The unit pledged to create conditions for Da Nang to directly contact and exchange support proposals.

Mr. Ho Ky Minh invited the President of the World Bank to visit Da Nang during his upcoming trip to Viet Nam.

He also proposed to expand the project to develop STEM training (science, technology, engineering, math) for high school pupils in Da Nang. These two cooperation contents on STEM and semiconductor human resource training are considered very suitable for Da Nang and the city will continue to concretise and develop them in the near future.

A delegation of Da Nang works with the Intel Corporation headquartered in Washington DC. Photo: PV

Meanwhile, at the Intel Technology Group headquartered in Washington DC, the two sides discussed and agreed on a number of specific cooperation contents.

Da Nang is identified as a locality with suitable infrastructure to develop the semiconductor field, especially the 1,100ha Da Nang Hi-Tech Park - one of three key national hi-tech parks.

In addition, Da Nang also has software and concentrated information technology parks ready to serve enterprises involving AI.

Moreover, the city government's interest in developing local human resources to meet the needs of the technology market is demonstrated through the establishment of the DSAC and the alliance of 5 leading universities in Da Nang on semiconductors and AI.

In 2024, DSAC will coordinate with the Intel Corporation to organise Train The Trainer course on AI in a bid to create a source of organic, proactive instructors for the city.

This is the second time Da Nang has visited the US after the first trip in November 2023. Da Nang is the first locality in Viet Nam to organise a business trip to promote foreign investment in semiconductor and AI fields in 2024.

Currently, the city is researching and developing policies to attract experts and overseas Vietnamese to work and intend to contribute to the city's semiconductor and AI industries through income tax exemption and reduction, plus favourable procedures for granting work visas. It is expected that these policies will be approved in June 2024.

The Intel Corporation strongly supports the development direction of Da Nang and commits to being ready to support local authorities in training the necessary human resources to serve the fields, on the basis of promoting the cooperation agreement between Intel and DSAC last January 2024.

In addition, the Intel Corporation also introduces and invites AI-related research projects from Da Nang students to participate in the Intel-organised AI competition. This competition is not only an opportunity for young technologists to showcase AI solutions, but also helps develop AI skills and collaboration between young generations.

The delegation of Da Nang and Intel Corporation leaders posing for a souvenir photo in Washington DC. Photo: PV

​Mrs. Sarah Kemp, Vice President in charge of international government affairs of the Intel Corporation, expressed agreement with the city's proposal as well as demonstrated Intel's commitment to the cooperation.

Cooperation between Da Nang and Intel is not only an important step forward in building qualified professional human resources in order to meet the technology market, but also opens up many new development opportunities. This not only creates local job opportunities but also brings conditions for local researchers and businesses to cooperate and access modern technology, she noted.

It is known that after a working trip with the Intel Technology Group in Washington DC, the city delegation will have a specific working session with Intel Corporation at its Santa Clara headquarters to reach an agreement on AI human resource development for Da Nang in 2024 and the following years.

Reporting by DNO - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG