On June 09, 2015, in Hà Nội, Innovation Partnership Program (IPP) opened the 8-month training for trainers. This is the first time a practical training program is organized for experts and those who are expected to replicate training and practice activities of innovation in Việt Nam.

Participating in the Opening ceremony were Deputy Minister Phạm Công Tạc, Mr. Tomy Sarkioja – Counselor of Finnish Embassy in Việt Nam as well as international lecturers, lecturers supporting Việt Nam and participants of this training of trainers program.

   The training for future Innovation Champions is an eight-month intensive Training of Trainers program designed to provide essential knowledge and skills to professionals who will be engaged in Innovation Work – the process of creating new products or services that address an important need for potential customers. The training is designed to provide these core knowledge and skills to Vietnamese citizens who will not only be able to facilitate successful Innovation Projects, but will also be able to train others in conducting successful Innovation Work.

The expert group consists of 4 international trainers from Europe and the US together with local facilitators’ team to conduct the training program as well as support the follow-up application process. There are also regular experience-sharing sessions with visiting international and local guest speakers, who are successful businessmen, angel or venture investors and consultants to support innovation start-up enterprises.

From a large number of applications, 10 highly qualified people from private sector, academic institutions and government agencies have been selected for the training. In addition, some representatives from MOST also participate in the program. The first phase of the program consists of two months of intensive training with professional trainers. The training will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. After the two months, the trainees will be responsible for facilitating Innovation Projects supported by IPP in the IPP Innovation Accelerator.

It is expected that the participants will continue to cooperate with IPP and its projects after training program completed as well as replicate the training model and provide consultancy for innovation-based startup enterprises.