5th Anniversary of the Institute of Smart City and Management (UEH): A journey of co-creating smart, sustainable cities

On September 29, 2025, the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM) at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a Ceremony Commemorating the 5th Anniversary with the theme "Symphony of Future Cities". This marked an important milestone, celebrating a five-year journey of steadfastly connecting education, research, and community to create smart, humane, and sustainable cities.

Established in 2020, ISCM is one of the pioneering units promoting UEH's multidisciplinary orientation, where architecture, technology, management, and economics converge. With the mission of training, researching, and consulting on integrated smart city solutions, ISCM has been building an applied knowledge ecosystem for cities through StudioLab, Living Lab, Maker Space, Testbed, and many advanced technologies (AR/VR, 3D printing, hologram).

5th Anniversary event “Symphony of Future Cities”: A co-creation highlight within the week of scholarship, exhibition, and knowledge connection (September 27 – October 1, 2025)

The ceremony on September 29 marks an important milestone in ISCM’s development journey, recognizing outstanding achievements in education, research, and real-world application while sharing future development orientations.

This is the central event of the 5th Anniversary Week (September 27 – October 1, 2025) – a series of scholarly activities, exhibitions, and knowledge networking, including: (1) An exhibition of research outputs, domestic and international projects, outstanding student theses, together with Living Lab, Hologram, and ArtTech Fusion spaces; (2) The launch of the book series Smart City: Glocal Design and the Dialogue “Co-Creation for Net Zero” (September 28); (3) An Architecture Talk with an international expert (September 29); and the Ocean Futures 2025 International Conference along with the Award Ceremony of the 4th International Design Competition in Khanh Hoa (October 1).

The anniversary welcomed the participation of Dr. Park Sang Woo – Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Republic of Korea; Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh – Vice Chairwoman, Vinh Long Provincial People’s Committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Phu – Vice President, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport.

From UEH, the event was honored to receive: Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Former Secretary of the Party Committee, Former Chairman of the UEH University Council, term 2020–2025; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the UEH University Council, term 2025–2030; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Vice President of UEH; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai – Vice President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman, UEH Strategies and Policies Consulting Council; Dr. Park Young June – Honorary Rector, UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh – Vice Rector, UEH College of Technology and Design; Dr. Thai Kim Phung – Vice Rector, UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam – Rector, UEH College of Economics, Law and Government; Dr. Tran Anh Hoa – Vice Rector, UEH College of Business; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ha Minh Quan – Rector, UEH International School of Business (ISB.UEH) – School of Talents; Dr. Nguyen Thi Thy Lieu – Vice Director, UEH Mekong; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai – Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director, ISCM.

In addition, the ceremony saw the presence of representatives from educational institutions, research institutes, regulatory agencies, domestic and international enterprises, ISCM’s partner organizations, together with a large number of UEH lecturers, staff, employees, learners, and alumni.

Experts participating in the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH shared:

“Five years ago, ISCM was established as UEH’s pioneering institute in a multidisciplinary orientation, where architecture and urban design are combined with management, technology, and economics. Building on this foundation, the Institute has expanded its research and training into many new fields, from smart cities, digital economy, and circular economy to sustainable development – issues that directly matter to the development of today’s cities and society.”

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh speaking at the ceremony

Over five years of establishment and growth, ISCM has implemented a series of projects connecting government – business – community, engaging more than 22,000 participants, over 490 undergraduates, more than 80 graduate learners, and upwards of 216 organizations from 73 countries. The Institute has also brought Vietnamese knowledge to the world through international forums on smart cities, resilience, green–digital transition, and net-zero emissions, contributing to the shaping of international standards and benchmarks.

In education, ISCM is pioneering with the Bachelor of Architecture & Smart City Design (dual degree) and the Master of Management in Smart and Creative City, training an interdisciplinary generation ready to lead urban transitions in Vietnam and the region.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh sharing about the five-year journey

Step by step, ISCM has brought Vietnamese knowledge to the region and the world by organizing, coordinating, and presenting at international forums and conferences on smart cities, leading trends on smart cities, resilience, and the net-zero objective. The contributions focus on human-centered cities, cross-disciplinary innovation, and the green–digital transition, grounded in evidence from Living Labs. On that basis, ISCM’s international role is consolidated through contributions to norms and benchmarks: establishing standards/practices for smart & sustainable cities, and advancing equality – diversity – inclusion.

Dr. Park Sang Woo shares on the theme “From Innovation to Harmony: Smart Cities for All

The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote by Dr. Park Sang Woo – Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korea, titled “From Innovation to Harmony: Smart Cities for All.” He shared Korea’s K‑Smart City experience with a human-centered orientation, the application of Digital Twin & Data Hub, pilot deployments in Sejong and Busan, as well as the expansion of international cooperation through the K‑City Network with 58 projects across 27 countries, including Vietnam.

The ceremony concluded with the message “Co-creation for Net Zero,” affirming ISCM’s role as a bridge between knowledge and action, working with the community to build smart, sustainable, and adaptive cities. At the same time, the event was an occasion to express gratitude to the individuals, organizations, and partners who have accompanied ISCM throughout the past five years.

This pivotal event was not only an opportunity for ISCM to reflect on its journey, but also a commitment to continue building an ecosystem of education, research, and innovation to together “shape the unknown future. This is how ISCM strives, together with all UEH’s affiliated units, to realize the philosophy: “Academic leadership. Community service. Innovation-driven. Sustainability-oriented.”

Gratitude moments at ISCM’s 5th Anniversary Ceremony

Delegates taking commemorative photos

Some other images:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh (Director of ISCM) introducing the UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang model to Dr. Park Sang Woo (Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) and Dr. Park Young June (Honorary Rector – UEH College of Technology and Design)

Dr. Sandhya Rao (ISCM Lecturer) presenting the Exhibition of research outputs and domestic and international projects over the past five years at ISCM

Experts visiting the Exhibition of Graduation Projects by students of the Architecture and Smart Urban Design Program

Students exploring the UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang Model

Experts, guests, and students participate in the “Walk of Fame,” joining hands to leave a “mark” on the journey of building smart, sustainable, and adaptive cities

Pillar: Connect the Community

Project: UEH Connecting

News, photos: Institute of Smart City and Management; Department of Communications and Partnerships