Vietnam, Singapore exchange thousands of innovation talents

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Singapore have launched the Innovation Talent Exchange Program (ITX), which aims to place over 1,000 innovation professionals in the technology sector, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, each year.

According to Kim Ngoc Thanh Nga, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance, this collaboration follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two governments in August 2023 to provide short-term employment opportunities of up to two years for Vietnamese and Singaporean professionals in innovation-driven companies.

ITX will open for applications in July and will match candidates and employers through a dedicated platform. Available job categories include data science and analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, AI, virtual reality, system/application programming, digital innovation, and semiconductors.

Singaporeans working in Vietnam must be under 33 years old and have a university degree, or under 35 years old and have a college diploma. Applicants must also have at least three years of experience (for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees) or five years (for college diplomas). Vietnamese employers must list job openings on the national employment portal.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese candidates applying to work in Singapore must be under 30 years old and do not need to have any work experience. Employers in Singapore are not required to post job listings in advance under the program.

"This is not simply a job-matching service. Candidates must secure their own employment offers and meet the hiring criteria,” said Thanh Nga. However, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry may help promote candidate profiles and job information to encourage early adoption.

Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Home Affairs, emphasized the benefits of international exposure for young Vietnamese professionals. "Some used to fear 'brain drain,' but I see it differently. Many who work abroad return with knowledge and experience and even start businesses that create jobs for others,” she said.

Vincent Yu, Senior Assistant Director of Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, noted that, unlike other exchange programs, ITX does not impose strict GPA requirements. Nevertheless, strong English skills are essential for working in any international environment.