[RTD 2026] The International Conference "Resilience by Technology and Design" - FutureScape

The International Conference “Resilience by Technology and Design” 2026 (RTD 2026), organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) - College of Technology and Design, UEH Mekong, and UEH Nexus Nha Trang in collaboration with international partners, is scheduled from July 15 to 20, 2026.

Under the theme "FutureScape - Designing the Future", RTD 2026 presents a panoramic vision of the future, where emerging technologies, including AI, digital twins, metaverse, and holography, inclusive design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration converge to co-create regenerative and sustainable ecosystems. This theme carries forward the spirit of “Smart Living” (RTD 2022) and “Fostering Sustainability” (RTD 2024), while marking a bold transition toward the integration of technology with social sciences, humanities, and the arts.

RTD 2026 pursues six key objectives:

(1) Advancing cross-disciplinary future thinking: Encouraging transdisciplinary approaches across technology, design, business, arts, media, and spatial planning to co-create adaptive ecosystems for living, learning, working, leisure, and sustainable economic activity, integrating emerging technologies such as digital twins, metaverse, and holography to enhance collaboration and simulation.

(2) Bridging technology and sustainable development: Clarifying the role of breakthrough technologies - including AI, Blockchain, IoT, big data, Robotics, digital twin simulation, metaverse platforms, and holography - in transforming business models, smart governance, digital communication, public policy, and global quality of life.

(3) Fostering multi-stakeholder innovation and co-creation: Strengthening collaboration among universities, businesses, governments, communities, and nature (Quintuple Helix, Living Labs) to co-create innovation ecosystems oriented toward equitable and regenerative development.

(4) Redefining the role of arts, media, and creative technologies: Elevating the role of arts, media, and creative technologies in shaping mindsets, inspiring action, and driving behavioral transformation toward a sustainable future.

(5) Developing smart, nature-integrated, net-zero cities: Broadening dialogue and knowledge exchange on the planning, design, and operation of technology-integrated urban-nature models, advancing net-zero cities with climate resilience and ecosystem restoration, leveraging digital twin technology for real-time urban monitoring and metaverse platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement.

(6) Strengthening the role of higher education in sustainable innovation ecosystems: Affirming the role of higher education institutions and co-organizing partners in leading scientific initiatives, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to navigate complex global uncertainties, while integrating advanced digital technologies into education, research, and community co-creation.

In alignment with the university's philosophy of "Academic Excellence with Social Purpose for Innovation and Sustainability", RTD 2026 is hosted across three strategic hubs, forming a triangle of knowledge, technology, and community that embodies UEH's multi-hub vision:

1. Ho Chi Minh City - Glocal technology & sustainability: The convergence center of technology, design, and innovation, serving as the global “anchor” for research and collaboration networks.

2. Mekong Campus - Climate adaptation & communities (Local impact, global relevance): A focal point for climate adaptation, community-centered design, and sustainable delta technologies, directly linked to the region’s socio-environmental challenges.

3. Nha Trang Nexus - Oceans & blue economy (Global convergence, local resilience): A hub where global knowledge meets the realities of the blue economy and coastal urban development, advancing sustainable oceans and international connections.

We cordially invite the scholars and experts to submit papers and present research, sharing approaches to the role of technology and design in sustainable development in the following themes, but not limited to: