OUCRU Hosts Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training
OUCRU Ho Chi Minh City recently hosted a three-day Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training course. The course, organised by OUCRU and the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, welcomed 25 participants selected for their potential to drive innovation across diverse organisations, including non-profit, for-profit, social profit, and governmental bodies.
The training focused on enhancing patient and population health through innovation within financial constraints. Sessions explored the Vietnamese health tech landscape, innovative ecosystems and identified essential skills for driving innovation adoption. Participants are equipped with practical skills to develop business cases and identify strategic strengths and weaknesses, which can help them strategically develop and structure innovation projects.
Furthermore, participants also gained insight into medical device regulations, particularly risk classification, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), and the influence of regulations on business plans. Trainers also shared insights on building businesses in Vietnam, emphasising leadership, culture, financing, and ethical considerations, drawing comparisons with business practices in other countries.
Professor Bruno Holthof from the University of Oxford, who shared his experience in developing and implementing new technologies and business models that improve outcomes for patients and lower costs for payors, commented: “Translating scientific insights into valuable products and services that will improve patient outcomes is a long and difficult journey. I enjoyed sharing useful frameworks and lessons learned together with local Vietnamese entrepreneurs”
“This training course is a vital step in fostering a culture of innovation within the Vietnamese healthcare sector,” commented Professor Guy Thwaites, Director of OUCRU. “By equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills, we are contributing to the development of sustainable and impactful healthcare solutions.”
“The course offered a rich learning experience, providing me with practical tools and knowledge from experts. I gained valuable insights into social issue identification, idea development, and Lean Canvas business modelling, as well as global healthcare trends and investment. I highly appreciate the organizers’ thoroughness and the experts’ professionalism. The relationships formed between NIIC, the participants, and OUCRU are a valuable outcome, paving the way for future cooperation.”
This initiative is part of an ongoing collaboration between Healthcare UK, KPMG, and OUCRU Vietnam, aimed at establishing Ho Chi Minh City as a leading healthcare innovation hub. This training event followed the Health Innovation Business Forum, which brought together over 165 Vietnamese and UK healthcare leaders, policymakers, researchers, and businesses to explore cutting-edge innovations in digital health, medical technology, and life sciences.
