Creativity and innovation in problem-solving

There may be no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development. Therefore, the United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.

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Creativity and culture

The creative economy too has no single definition. It is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge and technology. Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based.

Creative industries –which include audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and visual arts– are a highly transformative sector of the world economy in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and community. At the same time, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development, to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic areas in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy.

On October 10, 2023, Innovation Day 2023 took place – this year not only with three exciting speakers but also with new, exclusive formats for even more individual interaction and networking. All under the theme: "EXPANDING HORIZONS."

In response to the various changes taking place in economy and society, this means: Broadening the spectrum of knowledge and one's own horizons of experience, leaving the comfort zone and viewing change as an opportunity.

Vietnam’s first open innovation event - Open Innovation Day – TechTraverse 2023 - was held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 20, drawing the participation of more than 100 leading domestic and foreign experts in this field.

Speaking at the event, Director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC) Pham Hong Quat, said that Vietnam is making strides in digital transformation and innovation with the focus on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

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As open innovation is being completed and developed by ASEAN countries to attract potential investment and talented human resources, Vietnamese enterprises that want to reach out to the international markets must change their thinking and connect with each other, said Quat.

Taking Singapore as an example, he said that when COVID-19 broke out, Singapore attracted more than 50 major corporations and over 100 universities around the world to help solve this global challenge.

Therefore, the NATEC director expressed his hope that at the Open Innovation Day 2023, the sharing of international experts from Singapore, Tunisia, Finland, and technology directors of large corporations will be valuable experience so that Vietnam can take more effective steps in promoting open innovation.

Andrew Khaw, Samsung Asia's Regional Director for Government Affairs in Southeast Asia and Oceania, said that in order to boost open innovation, each country must first develop its digital government, which is the key to promoting the startup ecosystem.

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At the event, participating experts discussed challenges facing enterprises in the journey to apply digital transformation initiatives. Along with that, model stories and practical lessons on open innovation in startups that pioneer in digital transformation were shared as well./.