Hanoi (VNA) – Speakers from Europe and Vietnam delivered inspiring speeches that suggest new ideas to tackle challenges facing both sides at an event in Hanoi on May 20.
“Innovations from Europe and Vietnam” was organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam and the Embassy of the Netherlands to Vietnam. It was part of the Europe Days 2016 programme.
Opening the event, head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Bruno Angelet and Dutch Ambassador Nienke Trooster said innovations are one of the solutions that help Europe maintain its prosperity and resolve such challenges as an ageing population, natural resources scarcity and climate change.
As a country with ongoing integration, rapid urbanisation and a dropping poverty rate, Vietnam should strive to develop more through international cooperation and innovations, especially through applying smart solutions to ensure community health, they noted.
Pirkka Palomaki, a Finnish specialist on demand-based waste management, said cities around the world release about 1.3 billion tonnes of waste every year, a figure expected to double in the next 10 years.
In the face of unimproved effectiveness in waste disposal, he invented a sensor technology that helps disposal companies better manage waste containers by measuring their fullness, positioning the containers and even forecasting when they will be full.
He said that technology can help businesses save around 40 percent of waste collection and disposal expenses.
At the event, Dr Le Van Tan from Oxford University introduced a new tool to detect infectious diseases, noting that Asia is vulnerable to viral and bacterial diseases.
Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia shared his ideas about combining urban structures with natural features. Eric Benedetti from the Netherlands presented a smart LED lighting solution for cities which can save 45 – 70 percent of electricity needed.
While Dutch expert Jos Joore introduced a new cell technology for medical treatment, Nguyen Thi Cam Van – founder and CEO of the Handikit company – brought to the event a technology that assists persons with disabilities.-VNA