On 16/8/2017, the University of Economics and Business - VNU cooperated with the University of Lincoln, UK to co-host an International Conference on "Finance for innovation, start-up and renewable energy".
This is an interdisciplinary conference between finance, banking, accounting and business administration, with close cooperation from Vietnamese and foreign experts and it is also an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Economics and Business - VNU.
The theme is quite broad and refers to the hot issue of economic development in addition to the sustainable use of natural resources and renewable energy. The workshop attracted more than 100 participants, including foreign experts from the UK, Australia and Hungary, as well as managers, experts, policymakers in finance, accounting and banking from CIEM, SBV, GIZ, NEU, DUE, BIDV.
In particular, the Conference was welcomed by Professor Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan – former Director of VNU, Director of Center for Environmental Research and Climate Change, Hanoi National University; Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoe - deputy Director of SBV Institute of Strategy; Dr. Hoang Xuan Hoa - General Department of Economic Affairs - Central Economic Department. From the University of Economics and Business, VNU: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le - Vice Rector in charge, Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu - Vice Rector, Dr. Le Trung Thanh - Head of Scientific Research and Development Cooperation Department and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Tu - Dean of Finance and Banking Faculty and lecturers of the University attending the Conference.
After the opening speech, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le and Prof. Dr David Charles – Vice Principal of Lincoln University signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Universities. Representatives of the organizer committee sent blooming bouquet to the sponsors, who had companioned with the conference this whole time, included: Nafosted fund, ARC, MBS, BIDV Ha Noi, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and VNU scientist links. The sponsors’ contribution has an important role in the success of the Conference.
Next, the morning session of the seminar continued under the operation of Assoc.Prof.Dr.Tran Thi Thanh Tu and Prof. Dr David Charles. The delegates listened to 5 presentations of the keynote speakers who are senior experts in Finance and Banking, Accounting, national and international banks, including : Prof. Dr David Charles – from Lincoln University explained the solutions for innovating and starting up internationally. Dr. Can Van Luc, Vice General Director at BIDV Bank, Director of BIDV Staff Training School presented some international experiences about finance to starters and came to a policy conclusion for Vietnam. Assoc.Prof. Dr. Malcolm Abbott from Swinburne gave some analyses about renewable energy for the future based on analyses about renewable energy in developed country.
MBA Nguyen Tuong Khanh (GIZ) introduced the importance of developing the renewable energy and finance tools for renewable energy projects, also emphasizing in some risk sharing mechanism in which have damaged sharing’s between sponsors and starter. Lastly, M.S Nguyen Mai Chi, Acting Chief of office representing ACCA Vietnam presented analyses, evaluations about sustainable development in accounting in Vietnam.
The presentations received a lot of comments from the participants. After all, the theme of green accounting attracted many questions. Discussions focused on how to understand green accounting and its applicability in Vietnam as well as the ability to use renewable energy in Vietnam. In his comments, Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan emphasized the challenges to Vietnam by applying green accounting to calculate green GDP.
In the afternoon session, the Conference was continued with nearly 30 presentations on topics: (i) Renewable Energy Development - run by Assoc, Prof. Dr. Malcolm Abbott, Swinburne University and Dr. Nguyen Van Thuat, VNU; (ii) Innovation and start-up - run by Prof. Dr. David Charles, Lincoln University. (Ii) Green Finance and Green Banking - run by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Tu - University of Economics & Business, VNU; (iv) Auditing and green accounting - run by Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuy - National Economics University, Hanoi; (v) Some problem in the banking sphere - run by Dr. Siobhan Goggin, Lincoln University and Dr. Dinh Thi Thanh Van - University of Economics & Business, VNU (Vi) Some problem in finance – run by Dr. Dang Tung Lam - University of Danang and Dr. Quach Manh Hao - Lincoln University. With many discussions and exchanges, the two topics, "Finance for Startup" and "Renewable Energy," lasted until 6 pm, as an evidence that these topics are “hot” in Vietnam, while we have more and more projects, which are successfully mobilized through funding. At the same time, Vietnam has never been suffered from the current environmental problem.
The Conference opened up great opportunities for collaboration between the University of Economics & Business - VNU and two famous universities in the world - Lincoln University and Swinburne University (Australia). The organizers hope that through this Conference, there will be more networking between scholar in the fields of finance, accounting and banking, the practical experts, and policymakers. Moreover, we expected more recommendations and measures in reality to develop the economy on the basis of increasing use of renewable energy.
According to the plan, on 17/8/2017, representatives from the UK and Australia will continue to have connecting activities with the Faculty of Finance - Banking, University of Economics & Business – VNU.