ISCM Expands Collaboration Network in the Nordic Region, Advancing Research and Innovation for Sustainable Cities
From 13–20 June 2026, a delegation from the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tu Anh Trinh, Director of ISCM, and Mr. Pham Nguyen Tri, Strategic Advisor to the UEH President, conducted a working visit to Sweden and Finland to expand international collaboration networks in the fields of smart cities, sustainable development, smart mobility, architecture and urban planning, and innovation.
During the visit, the delegation worked with several leading universities and organizations in the Nordic region. The discussions focused on two major directions of cooperation: (1) expanding academic collaboration with leading universities in education, research, and innovation; and (2) connecting with development finance institutions to explore opportunities for collaboration, technical support, and the development of initiatives that promote green growth and sustainable transformation in Vietnam.
1. Expanding academic collaboration with Nordic universities
The universities visited are leading institutions in education and research, with strengths in urban planning and development, transportation and sustainable mobility, architecture, design, technology, and innovation. Through these meetings, UEH and ISCM expanded their academic collaboration network and identified several concrete directions for cooperation in education, research, student exchange, and the development of interdisciplinary programs.
Connecting with KTH Royal Institute of Technology – Opening cooperation directions in urban planning, transportation, and sustainable development
The delegation’s first stop was KTH Royal Institute of Technology, one of Europe’s leading technical and technological universities. Through meetings with KTH’s research groups and experts, ISCM connected with the university’s strengths in urban planning, urban design, transportation and mobility analysis, engineering technology, and sustainable development.
These discussions laid the foundation for deeper conversations on research and academic cooperation in topics related to smart cities, sustainable transportation, net zero, and innovation-based solutions to improve urban quality of life. In particular, the connection with KTH’s research groups in planning, transportation, and sustainable development opens opportunities for ISCM and UEH to join international academic networks, develop joint research projects, and strengthen scholar exchange in the future.
Representatives of KTH Royal Institute of Technology and UEH took part in the Flag Journey ceremony.
Cooperation with Tampere University – Shaping research and teaching directions in circular economy, transportation, and sustainable cities
In Finland, the delegation worked with Tampere University, one of the leading research centers in the built environment, technology, and sustainable urban development.
Tampere University’s Units introduced several outstanding research programs, including the Verne Transport Research Centre with studies on sustainable mobility, logistics, urban transportation, and Living Lab models; the Urban Research Network for Sustainable Development; and the Circular Economy Management Research Centre.
Based on professional exchanges, both sides identified significant potential for cooperation in circular economy, smart transportation, sustainable urban development, and green transition. Topics such as joint PhD supervision, researcher exchange, postdoctoral research, joint international publications, and collaborative research projects were discussed as concrete directions for future cooperation.
Representatives of Tampere University and UEH took part in the Flag Journey ceremony.
Expanding interdisciplinary cooperation with Aalto University – From smart cities to business, design, and innovation
As one of Finland’s pioneering universities in interdisciplinary education, Aalto University offers new perspectives for UEH in connecting technology, business, arts, and design to address urban challenges.
Through the meeting with Aalto’s research and academic units, both sides identified shared areas of interest such as Living Labs, smart cities, urban innovation, spatial planning, transportation, and urban governance. Cooperation ideas such as organizing international seminars, design competitions, hackathons, and urban problem-solving initiatives were discussed as potential next steps.
Notably, the scope of cooperation was expanded beyond smart cities to other UEH units, especially the UEH College of Business (COB), as well as architecture, design, and creative communication fields. This provides an important foundation for forming interdisciplinary cooperation models aligned with UEH’s development orientation as a multidisciplinary and innovation-driven university.
Representatives of Aalto University and UEH took part in the Flag Journey ceremony.
Promoting cooperation with the University of Helsinki in urban research and sustainable planning
At University of Helsinki, the delegation worked with urban research units and the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, an interdisciplinary program jointly implemented by the University of Helsinki and Aalto University.
The parties shared experiences in building urban research networks, linking research with local governments, and developing interdisciplinary cooperation models to address modern urban challenges. Numerous cooperation opportunities were discussed, such as co-organizing short courses, summer programs, student exchange, joint PhD supervision, collaborative research, and participation in international academic networks on sustainable cities, urban health, and smart city development.
The meeting also opened opportunities for UEH to engage more deeply in international academic networks on urban research and sustainable planning, while connecting with interdisciplinary education and research programs of leading Nordic universities.
Representatives of the University of Helsinki and UEH took part in the Flag Journey ceremony.
2. Connecting with development finance institutions to promote sustainable initiatives in Vietnam
In addition to expanding academic cooperation, the delegation also worked with leading development finance institutions in the Nordic region to explore investment models for sustainable development, green finance, and green transition. Through these engagements, UEH and ISCM were positioned as knowledge partners capable of supporting ecosystem connections in Vietnam, advising market development, linking stakeholders, providing technical support for projects, and working with international partners to research and propose solutions to environmental, infrastructure, and urban development challenges at the national, regional, and local levels.
Working with Swedfund – Expanding cooperation opportunities in sustainable finance
The delegation held a working session with the Swedfund, which has been actively investing in sustainable development projects in developing countries. During the discussion, Swedfund shared its investment priorities in energy, transport infrastructure, water and waste management, digital transformation, data centers, sustainable ports, and solutions supporting green transition. The two sides also discussed the context of infrastructure development and green transformation in Vietnam, along with opportunities for cooperation in partner connectivity, technical support, and the promotion of sustainable development initiatives.
With its strengths in research, policy engagement, and domestic partner networks, ISCM can serve as a bridge between international organizations and local authorities, businesses, and stakeholders in Vietnam in the areas of green infrastructure, sustainable finance, and urban development.
Representatives of Swedfund and UEH took part in the Flag Journey ceremony.
Working with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) – Connecting resources for sustainable development initiatives
As part of the visit, the UEH and ISCM delegation also met with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), an international financial institution owned by Nordic and Baltic countries, which invests in infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development projects.
During the meeting, NIB shared information on financial support activities in green transition, sustainable infrastructure, and green bond issuance. NIB representatives also presented their experience in implementing development projects across the world, especially in energy, transportation, urban infrastructure, and digital transformation.
On behalf of UEH and ISCM, the delegation introduced research, education, and policy engagement activities related to sustainable urban development, smart cities, green transition, and the UEH Net Zero Center. Both sides discussed possibilities for connecting initiatives and projects in Vietnam, in which ISCM could play a bridging role between international partners and local governments, businesses, and stakeholders in project development and implementation.
The meeting opened promising prospects for cooperation in policy advisory, technical support, partner connectivity, and the promotion of sustainable development initiatives in Vietnam in the future.
The ISCM delegation and Nordic Investment Bank partners took a commemorative photo at the meeting.
Strengthening UEH’s international presence in the Nordic sustainable urban network
Through its working activities in the Nordic region, UEH and ISCM not only expanded their academic collaboration network with leading universities in urban studies, technology, and sustainable development, but also established initial connections with international development finance institutions to promote green finance, sustainable infrastructure, and green transition initiatives in Vietnam. These two cooperation directions will serve as a foundation for UEH to continue promoting its role as a multidisciplinary university that connects knowledge, policy, and practice, while enhancing its position within international academic and development networks.