UEH Transfers Innovative Startup Model, Partners with An Giang Province to Build its Innovation Ecosystem

30 Jan, 2026

On January 29, 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) officially transferred its innovative startup model and launched an online platform to support startup incubation in An Giang Province. The event marks a concrete step in implementing the cooperation agreement between the two parties to promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship and transfer local development support models.

An overview of the ceremony for transferring the innovative startup model, held at the An Giang Provincial People's Committee.

From UEH, attendees included: Dr. Dinh Cong Khai – Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of UEH Alumni, Senior Advisor to the Institute of Innovation; Truong Minh Kiet, M.A. – Acting Head of the University Office; Ho Thien Quyen, M.A. – Vice Director of the UEH Mekong Campus; Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, M.A. – Vice Dean of the Institute of Innovation; Nguyen Thanh Su, M.A. – Vice Dean of the Institute for Regional Development Research and Consulting; and Nguyen Van Rot, M.A. – Vice Director of the Mekong International Training Center, UEH Mekong Campus.

From the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, attendees included: Comrade Nguyen Thanh Phong – Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Comrade Vo Nguyen Nam – Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; Comrade Tong Van Kiem – Standing Member of the Provincial People's Council; Comrade Vo Minh Trung – Director of the Department of Science and Technology; along with leaders from various provincial departments, agencies, the Business Association, and the local business community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, a leader of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that the transfer of the startup model is a crucial step, marking the first concrete implementation phase in the cooperation between UEH and the province. He noted that this involves not just adopting technical solutions but also embracing a development mindset and a systematic, sustainable approach to organizing the startup ecosystem.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong speaking at the ceremony.

With a commitment to partnering in local development, Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, Vice President of UEH, emphasized: "Innovation should not be confined to academic spaces or research labs. It must be put into practice, creating new businesses, new jobs, and new economic value for the locality. Therefore, UEH views its strategic partnership with An Giang Province not merely as a support activity but as a strategy of co-creating a sustainable development ecosystem. The University aims to be a hub that connects knowledge, resources, and the community to solve the socio-economic challenges of An Giang."

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai expressing his hope that the cooperation between the two parties will create new development momentum for An Giang Province.

On behalf of the An Giang Department of Science and Technology, Comrade Le Quoc Cuong, Deputy Director, presented a summary report on the province's innovation activities. He highlighted that An Giang has been progressively developing its startup ecosystem, achieving notable results from refining its policy framework and promoting communication and training to organizing competitions and building a startup support network.

Comrade Le Quoc Cuong delivering a summary report on An Giang's innovation activities from 2021-2025.

Based on research findings and practical experience, the UEH Institute of Innovation and the An Giang Department of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of transfer for the innovative startup model. The model aims to help address the province's development challenges through a system of specific action programs tailored to different stakeholder groups within the startup ecosystem:

A youth-focused startup incubation and development program to spread the entrepreneurial spirit through skills training, mentoring, and product feasibility testing.
A startup acceleration program to enhance the governance, technology, and market expansion capabilities of local business households and enterprises.
Ecosystem and investor networking activities.
An online platform to support startup incubation, which manages the incubation process with visual data and integrates training activities with a network of experts, mentors, and investors.

Mr. Ngo Dang Hoan Thien, Manager of the UII Startup Incubator, presenting an overview of the transferred model and platform.

The UEH Institute of Innovation and the An Giang Department of Science and Technology signing the memorandum of transfer for the innovative startup model.

To enhance efficiency in managing, training, and connecting stakeholders, An Giang Province also officially launched its Online Startup Incubation Support Platform. This platform is a key component of the model transferred by UEH. As a digital space for young people, entrepreneurs, and local startups, the platform is expected to effectively support incubation, training, and networking, thereby promoting startup activities that align with the practical needs and development orientation of the province.

The launch ceremony of the An Giang Online Startup Incubation Support Platform.

An Giang Startup Hub – A Space for Innovation, Connection, and Youth Startup Incubation.

Through this transfer, An Giang Province is expected to progressively build a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and innovation to flourish within its youth community, leading to the emergence of many sustainable local startups and enterprises. This is a concrete strategic step that reinforces UEH's position as a leading university in innovation, partnering with local governments to co-create sustainable development solutions.

Delegates take a commemorative photo.