A flagship platform bringing together academia, industry, and government to advance agricultural innovation, food security, and sustainable food systems between Australia and Viet Nam.
To establish a flagship Australia-Viet Nam platform that brings together academia, industry, government and the broader community to advance agricultural innovation, food security and sustainable food systems through scientific excellence, strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Agriculture and food security are among the most significant global challenges of the 21st century. Australia and Viet Nam share complementary strengths in agricultural research, biotechnology, food production and innovation, creating real opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration.
Leading research and emerging innovations in agriculture, food science and related disciplines.
Strengthening scientific, educational and professional ties between Australia and Viet Nam, from universities to industry and government.
Poster abstracts only. Oral presentation abstracts are no longer accepted.
Four thematic sessions anchor the symposium's scientific programme.
Crop improvement, sustainable farming systems, precision agriculture, climate resilience, plant protection, agricultural microbiomes, and AI and digital agriculture.
Genome editing, plant biotechnology, synthetic biology, functional genomics, gene regulation, bioinformatics, multi-omics and advanced breeding technologies.
Food quality and safety, nutrition, food processing, food supply chains, sustainable food systems and emerging technologies for food production.
Research translation, technology transfer, commercialisation, agribusiness, industry partnerships, agricultural policy and Australia-Viet Nam collaboration.
A one-day hybrid symposium, preceded by an online workshop, combining scientific presentations with networking.
Opening addresses at AVAS2026.
Consul-General of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in WA and NT
Member of the Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Counsellor, Head of Science and Technology Office, Embassy of Vietnam in Australia
Director, Centre for Crop and Food Innovation and the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University
| Category | Slots | Format | Intended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote speaker | 4 | 15 min + 5 min Q&A | Distinguished professors, associate professors, internationally recognised experts; senior industry leader |
| Invited speaker | 4 | 12 min + 3 min Q&A | Invited researchers and industry experts from Viet Nam, senior researchers or emerging leaders |
| Standard oral presentation | 8 | 10 min + 2 min Q&A | Early- to mid-career researchers, postdoctoral researchers, industry researchers |
| Lightning oral presentation | 8 | 5 min each + 3 min joint Q&A | PhD, Master's and Honours students |
An online workshop held via MS Teams/Zoom on 22 November 2026, featuring roughly 10-12 invited talks across 3-4 thematic sessions over approximately 3 hours. It prioritises researchers from Viet Nam and Vietnamese researchers based elsewhere in Australia, Vietnamese scientists working internationally, and relevant industry experts, giving speakers who cannot attend in person in Perth a way to take part and building momentum ahead of the main symposium.
Indicative and may be refined following confirmation of invited speakers, abstract submissions, sponsor participation and venue requirements.
Acknowledgement of Country · Welcome Address by VASEA-WA Chapter President (Dr Thien Tran) · Welcome Address by the Consul General of Viet Nam in Perth (Mr Pham Hai Anh) · Welcome Address by Honourable Dr Parwinder Kaur, Member of the Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia · Welcome Address by the Counsellor, Head of Science and Technology, Embassy of Vietnam in Australia (Dr Bui Viet Khoi) · Welcome from the Host Institution (Prof. Rajeev Varshney)
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Sarita Bennett (Curtin University) · 1 Invited Speaker · 2 Standard Oral Presentations (TBC) · 2 Lightning Oral Presentations (TBC)
Keynote Speaker: A/Prof. Ryan Whitford (Murdoch University) · 1 Invited Speaker · 2 Standard Oral Presentations (TBC) · 2 Lightning Oral Presentations (TBC)
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Van Hung Pham (Viet Nam National University, HCMC) · 1 Invited Speaker · 2 Standard Oral Presentations (TBC) · 2 Lightning Oral Presentations (TBC)
Keynote Speaker 1: Hackett Prof. Kadambot Siddique (UWA) · Keynote Speaker 2: Dr Hong Quat Pham (NATEC) · 2 Standard Oral Presentations (TBC)
"Building Australia-Viet Nam Partnerships for Agricultural Innovation and Food Security"
*Subject to confirmation.
"Building Australia-Viet Nam Partnerships for Agricultural Innovation and Food Security" — bringing together leaders from academia, industry and government to explore ways to strengthen Australia-Viet Nam collaboration in agricultural research, innovation and sustainable food systems. Lead moderator: A/Prof Lien Duong, Curtin University.
Proposed panel (to be confirmed)
Discussion topics
The symposium closes with an Awards Ceremony recognising outstanding scientific presentations.
AVAS2026 is free and open to researchers, academics, industry professionals, government representatives, research students, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and members of the broader community interested in agricultural innovation and food security. Advance registration is required to assist with event planning, venue capacity and catering.
Who should register
Researchers, academics, industry, government, students, ECRs and the broader community
Geographical reach
Open to participants from Australia, Viet Nam and internationally, in person or online
Cost
Free. Advance registration required
Visas
International participants are responsible for obtaining any visas required. The Organising Committee is unable to provide visa sponsorship or financial assistance
Registration opens 17 August 2026.
The Organising Committee invited abstract submissions from researchers, academics, industry professionals, government representatives, research students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) working across agriculture, food science and related disciplines, under any of the four symposium themes above.
Regular abstract submissions closed on 5 October 2026. The submission link remains open for poster abstract submissions only. Oral presentation abstracts are no longer accepted, as the Organising Committee is finalising the technical program.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Abstract submission opens | 17 August 2026 |
| Regular abstract submissions | Closed 5 October 2026 |
| Poster abstract submissions | Still open (poster abstracts only) |
| Notification of acceptance | 15 October 2026 |
| Pre-symposium online workshop | 22 November 2026 |
| AVAS2026 symposium | 24 November 2026, Boola Katitjin, Murdoch University, Perth WA + online |
The submission link remains open for poster abstracts only (maximum 300 words) via the form above. Oral presentation abstracts are no longer accepted, as the Organising Committee is finalising the technical program.
The committee overseeing scientific planning, sponsorship, logistics and communications for AVAS2026.
Murdoch University
General Chair
Curtin University
Co-Chair, Scientific Programme
Curtin University
Co-Chair, Industry and Partnerships
Curtin University
Co-Chair, Policy and Economics
Finance and Administration
Logistics and Registration
Communications and Marketing
Sponsorship and Community Engagement
Providing strategic guidance on the scientific programme, partnerships and overall development of the symposium.
Curtin University
Strategic Advisor
Curtin University
Strategic Advisor
Curtin University
Scientific Advisor
The organisations behind AVAS2026.
Organiser
Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association, WA Chapter
Co-Organiser
Consulate General
of the S. R. of Viet Nam in Perth
Co-Organiser
Science and Technology Office,
Embassy of Viet Nam in Australia
AVAS2026 gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors. Sponsorship enquiries welcome, contact avas2026.official@gmail.com.
Platinum Sponsor
Murdoch University
Gold Sponsor
Faculty of Business and Law
Silver Sponsor
Sầu Riêng Đam Rông
Bronze Sponsor
School of Molecular and Life Sciences
Bronze Sponsor
AUSTRALIA WORLD LINK
Sponsorship Opportunities Open
Sponsor
Brownes
Sponsor
Buzz Bees