ISCM 5-Year Journey: Symphony of Future Cities – Connecting Knowledge, Inspiring Co-Creation, and Shaping a Sustainable Urban Future

During the week from September 27 to October 1, 2025, ISCM organized a series of academic, community, and business connection activities under the spirit of “Symphony of Future Cities”, marking five years of steadfastly integrating education, research, and community to co-create smart, human-centered, and sustainable cities.

The complete journey included Orientation Day & Exhibition (September 27), Book Launch & Exhibition Tour – Dialogue “Co-creation for Net Zero” (September 28), 5th Anniversary Ceremony (September 29), and a series of activities in Khanh Hoa (October 1) including the International Conference Ocean Futures 2025 and the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony.

The 5-year event series was organized not only to conclude and commemorate a milestone but also to further emphasize the institute’s role in knowledge creation and vision connection, highlighting its pioneering mission of “shaping an inclusive, sustainable, and smart urban future” from the local to the international scale.

Starting the journey “Symphony of Future City”, on September 27, 2025, the institute held the Orientation Day under the theme “Future Beats, City Lights” to welcome new students of Cohort 51.

The event aimed to foster interaction through orientation – connection – and knowledge-sharing activities with alumni and ISCM lecturers, helping new students prepare for their learning journey.

At the same time, the day served as a great opportunity for students to better understand the institute through an exhibition showcasing ISCM’s development journey via research projects, development models, and innovative initiatives that have been, are being, and will continue to be developed toward the goal of sustainable growth.

Following that, at UEH Campus V – smART Hub Living Labs, the activities on September 28 emphasized the approach of “appropriate and effective technology” in addressing urban challenges, aiming for sustainable growth and improved quality of life.

At the event, the institute also introduced four academic books with related themes: “The Fusion of Art and Technology”, “The Ripple Effects of the Digital Economy”, “The Living Lab Model for Vietnam”, and “Smart Cities: Human-centered, Technology-enabled, and Locally-shaped”.

The event gathered scholars, experts, and representatives from management agencies to engage in discussions. In addition, guests also gained a deeper understanding of ISCM and UEH’s research and development orientation through the Dialogue & Networking Session with the theme “Co-creation Platform toward Net Zero Emissions.”

Especially, on September 29, the 5th Anniversary Ceremony of ISCM took place solemnly with the participation of UEH leaders, representatives of management agencies, academic institutions, and domestic and international enterprises.

The speeches highlighted ISCM’s five-year journey expanding its scope of research and education—from smart cities, digital economy, and circular economy to sustainable development—and acknowledged achievements in connecting the three pillars of education, research, and application.

Concluding the 5-year anniversary series, on October 1 in Nha Trang, the celebration reached its complete finale with the International Conference “Ocean Futures 2025: Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living” and the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony.

Both activities connected academia, experts, businesses, and local authorities, spreading the message of green, smart, and sustainable development for coastal cities.

The Ocean Futures 2025 Conference opened profound dialogues on smart technologies for sustainable coastal spaces, public health and community wellbeing, and the blue economy, while also witnessing strategic cooperation signings between UEH and partners in Khanh Hoa.

Following that, the 4th International Design Competition Award Ceremony honored creative ideas for the Cai River waterfront, contributing to shaping an urban vision harmonizing nature, culture, and community.

The ISCM 5-year event series was not only a milestone for reflection but also a commitment for the journey ahead: to bring Vietnamese knowledge to the world through academic forums and practical applications for smart city development; while spreading the co-creation culture among stakeholders (Academic institutions – Businesses – Society – Government – Environment).

From Ho Chi Minh City to Khanh Hoa, ISCM and UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang affirm their role as converging points for scholars and global knowledge, accompanying localities in realizing the goal of green – digital – sustainable development.