“Pioneer the Possible”, a platform to share concrete Swedish experiences in the efforts to become a fossil-free welfare nation, helps Vietnam have a greater role in the global energy transition.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Måwe made the view at the arrival of the Pioneer the Possible University Tour in Danang on November 8, which included a series of events focused on innovation and sustainability. 

The tour, in collaboration with leading Swedish companies like ABB, Ericsson, and Tetra Pak, aims to engage students in meaningful discussions regarding these crucial issues from Sweden’s quadruple helix model between the government, industry, academia, and civil society.

“We want to share this with Vietnamese policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, universities, start-ups, and innovators to engage in co-innovation and partnership,” Ambassador Ann Måwe shared with The Hanoi Times.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Måwe (4th left) and representatives of Swedish institutes and companies and FPT University Danang during the tour.

“Pioneer the Possible”

Following its successful launch in Hanoi in 2022, and subsequent visits to Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and An Giang earlier this year, the Pioneer the Possible University Tour is now set to make significant stops at Duy Tan University and FPT University in Danang.

This university tour serves as a continuation of the successful Pioneer the Possible conference and exhibition, organized by Team Sweden in collaboration with Vietnamese counterparts from both the government and the private sector.

Recognizing the great potential of university students in driving sustainable solutions, both now and in the future, the Pioneer the Possible roadshow seeks to facilitate discussions between Swedish businesses and Vietnamese universities, particularly sustainable transportation, green energy transformation, greening the heavy industry, bio-economy, and digitalization.

"By sharing our experiences and fostering collaborations and co-creation between Sweden and Vietnam, we aim to inspire the next generation of leaders who will pioneer positive change,” Ambassador Ann Måwe stressed.

In talking with The Hanoi Times, Dr. Le Nguyen Bao, President of Duy Tan University, believed the event would greatly benefit the academy’s lecturers and students and contribute to their academic and personal growth. “We eagerly anticipate the valuable insights and experiences that will be shared, inspiring our people to create a sustainable future for all," he stated.

Dr. Vo Dinh Nam, Academic Director of FPT University in Danang, said this event presents a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from Swedish experts in innovation, sustainability, and technology.

“It will equip our students with the skills and inspiration to address global challenges and drive positive change in society. This initiative with Team Sweden undoubtedly contributes to and strengthens the fruitful and rewarding partnership between Sweden and Danang City at large," he told The Hanoi Times.

Importantly, participating Swedish companies, including ABB, Ericsson, and Tetra Pak, deliver presentations and engage in discussions on various topics such as digitalization, sustainable transportation, green energy transformation, and circularity. Throughout the event, engaging activities and quizzes are organized to enhance student participation, facilitate the exchange of ideas, and foster a lively and dynamic atmosphere.

Significant to Vietnam’s context

In recent years, Vietnam has shown impressive progress in working towards a greener planet, especially after the COP26 when Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made commitments that Vietnam aims to become a net zero emission nation by 2050.

Vietnam’s “National Climate Change Strategy to 2050” proves that the government has honest ambitions and is willing to follow a strict road map to pursue actionable targets.

With the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and the International Partner Group of countries, comprising G7 countries and the EU, Sweden will support Vietnam in accelerating its transition away from coal as part of the country’s commitment to its 2050 net zero target and its Power Development Plan (PDP8), according to Ambassador Ann Måwe.

She noted that Sweden is undergoing a historic transition with the ambition not only to make the country climate-neutral by 2045 but also to shape a sustainable welfare society that inspires other countries to follow the same path. “This is happening as we speak but would not have been possible without clear buy-in from the Swedish private – sector, academia, and civil society.” 

In this regard, she said Sweden wants to share ideas on how to work in this quadruple helix setting, and the companies play a crucial role in this transformation. In Vietnam, about 70 Swedish companies are operating in sectors as diverse as IT and telecom, energy and electrification, manufacturing and services, packaging, industrial equipment, healthcare, and consumer goods.