UEH College of Technology and Design – Member of the Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University

In the context of global integration and new technological revolution, the entire society’s need for high-quality human resources in new technology fields in the future is increasingly high. Grasping the needs and staying ahead of the trend, UEH College of Technology and Design (CTD) – a member of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has comprehensively developed its training, science and technology activities to meet the latest trends, follow a multidisciplinary and integrated orientation, and transform towards sustainability.

According to Investment Monitor, based on a report from GlobalData, currently, top technology trends include artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, metaverse, cryptocurrency, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing. Statistical forecasts show that the Information Technology market still lacks about 150,000 human resources out of the total need of 530,000 human resources. In addition, the Draft National Strategy on digital technology companies also clearly states that Vietnam has set a goal of reaching 1.5 million employees in the digital field by 2030. These numbers represent great opportunities for students graduating from computer- and technology-related fields during the country’s digital transformation period.

Latest technology majors welcoming the 5.0 era

In order to provide high-quality human resources meeting the latest technology trends, CTD has built and comprehensively developed 22 programs, including the most attractive fields as AI and Robotics, Data Science, Computer Science, Digital Communication and Multimedia Design, Technology and Innovation, Architecture and Smart Urban Design, Financial Technology, Logistics Technology, Information Security information, etc. These programs are all built on the direction of exploiting and applying new technology in artificial intelligence, data science, robot interaction, blockchain technology, big data, etc. in fields of economics and management.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence: training a team of qualified engineers participating in projects on design, manufacturing, and control of robot systems, artificial intelligence, embedded system software/hardware and marketing, computer science, automated production systems, smart machines, IoT, etc. applied in all areas of the economy.

Data Science: students have the ability to plan, collect, store, preprocess, select models and data analysis tools, and apply results to solve business and management problems.

Computer Science: students have in-depth knowledge of thinking, exploiting, developing algorithms, and applying new technologies in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, Machine Vision, Natural language processing, analysis, selection of technology solutions, and related tools to solve economic problems.

Digital Communication and Multimedia Design: training students to become digital media designers/producers/managers in the era of information and digitalization.

Technology and Innovation: training students to become administrators who understand and apply new technology (AI, Big data, VR/AR), and human-computer interaction in business based on innovation to deliver technological solutions that impact local economic sectors.

Architecture and smart city design: students are qualified to participate in city development, planning and design projects, architectural and landscape design projects with technology application towards sustainable development.

Financial Technology: training students to become managers who understand and apply new technology (AI, Big data, Blockchain, Deep learning, Machine learning, VR/AR) in finance to provide technology solutions that have impacts on areas of the financial market as well as creating financial platforms and products using advanced technology.

Logistics Technology: training learners to have the ability to design; and integrate material, information, and money flows; and control the optimal operation of a logistics system related to forecasting, procurement, transportation, production, storage, distribution, and warehousing of raw materials and finished products.

Information Security: learners will master popular security technologies, encryption techniques, decoding messages, building secure network systems, and preventing denial of service attacks; learn the working mechanism of Viruses, Worms, and malware to detect and protect digital and information systems.

CTD students are familiar with new VR/AR technologies through many subjects

Training activities with multidisciplinary orientation and technology integration

Programs at CTD are multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary, integrating math, technology, smart management, innovation, and artistic inspiration into training and research programs. This orientation is clearly reflected in outstanding traditional programs: Business Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Risk Analysis and Insurance Pricing, Management Information Systems, Software Engineering, Commerce e-commerce, Computer Science, and Information Technology; to new programs that stay ahead of the trend and pioneer in providing highly qualified human resources in the fields of science, technology and digital economy mentioned above.

CTD focuses on developing undergraduate and postgraduate programs (Masters and PhD) according to international standards awarded by UEH and international partner universities with a training scale of more than 2,000 undergraduate and, graduate students, and research fellows. The programs are open and highly interconnected with UEH member colleges and with universities around the world. Since 2023, CTD has also reached agreements to cooperate on dual undergraduate degree programs in Robotics and AI with Kangwoon University (Korea), Digital Communication and Design with Dongseo University (Korea), and University of Saint Joseph (USJ) (Macau). In addition, other academic activities, research, combined teaching, capacity building, lecturer-student exchange, and training lecturers at the doctoral level in the fields of Media Design, Smart City, AI – Robotics, Government, big data, and Korean study, are also discussed for implementation.

RoboCon UEH 2023 – The UEH Dancing Robot Contest

In order to develop CTD’s learners’ capacity and thinking, teaching and learning activities incorporate the exchange of international lecturers and students. With dual international training programs, Master’s of Smart and Innovation City Management at the Institute of Smart Cities and Management (ISCM), learners, in addition to their learning experiences at UEH, will have the opportunity to participate in advanced programs at institutes of international partners: Hasselt University and KU Leuven University (Belgium), Handong Global University (Korea). In addition to learning and research activities, learners are given many opportunities to develop their capacity and skills to become global citizens through regular international competitions that attract domestic and international students, including Reimagining Cities Towards Carbon Neutrality (2023), annual international activities, seminars, exchange forums between experts, public lectures by professors at international universities and workshops providing learners with the opportunity to approach businesses to cultivate practical knowledge. Outstanding milestones over the years include the international series Smart City + (2021), Resilience through Smart City Lens (2022), Design for Carbon Neutrality (2023), and UEH BizTech Hackathon (2022, 2023). In addition, CTD also promotes cultural exchange activities for the students through international summer camps and international project programs with students from Avans University of Applied Sciences. (Netherlands), KU Leuven University (Belgium), Handong Global University (Korea), Thammsat University (Thailand), Singapore School of Technology and Design, Kyoto University (Japan), and Yunlin University (Taiwan).

With strengths in technology application and design, CTD students, according to the project-based learning model, learn and gain practical work experience in 09 laboratories in the Eco-Studio Lab system equipped with modern machines and learning tools listed as VR glasses, 3D printers, material design kits, robots, specialized design computers, and design tools, etc., and courses on the application of virtual reality and augmented reality in AR/VR/MR design in Italy. In addition, the birth of Maker Space, an open space complex with a spirit of unlimited creativity for the community inside and outside UEH, helps UEHers and the learner community develop skills and creative thinking through activities related to carpentry assembly and design. Students can develop basic skills in the working environment (problem-solving skills, teamwork, and communication skills), and have the opportunity to learn about work culture and specific competencies for each job.

With the goal of encouraging life-long learning, the Technology and Design Training Center (ATD) has developed programs and intensive short-term courses for students and professionals with additional knowledge and working tools to meet the needs of the business. The number of training classes has made remarkable progress and the quality of training has been improved. Some outstanding programs include Data Query with Power Query and SQL, Data Visualization with Power BI, Data Analysis with Python programming language, Enterprise digital transformation, Motion Graphic, Application of design thinking in enterprise product development, etc.

Scientific and technological activities

CTD always maintains academic activities related to Mathematics – Statistics, Information Technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, smart cities, and digital communications. More than 70 research projects by lecturers and researchers of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, School of Business Information Technology, Institute of Applied Mathematics, Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology, Institute of Innovation, Institute of Smart City and Innovation, School of Media Design published in ISI/Scopus journals (Q1, Q2, Q3) with a significant number of citations.

Student’s research activities also obtained achievements in annual competitions organized by UEH: “Young Economist Award” with 9 topics winning A prize, 25 topics winning B prize, and 30 topics winning C prize. Excellent and high-quality topics of CTD students are also nominated to participate in and present at City-level, Ministerial-level, and National-level research awards as the “Eureka Research Student Award” co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City  Youth Union and National University Ho Chi Minh City; “Student Scientific Research Award” by the Ministry of Education and Training and the “Econometrics and Applied Economics Olympiad” organized by the Central Vietnam Student Association.

CTD’s community of scholars, researchers, and experts has grown stronger through scientific events, international conferences, of international events held in the past two years. CTD has cooperative relationships with nearly 50 educational organizations, universities, and international experts who come to work, exchange academically, teach, and research at the school. Some activities have become trademarks of UEH College of Technology and Design, listed as RTD – Resilience by Technology and Design International Conference; ArtTech Fusion International Event Series; Bayesian Statistics and Computation Summer School; Education Seminar: Smart Urban Intervention – Smart City Living Lab.

Efforts to transfer knowledge, science and technology to the community

CTD’s team of lecturers and researchers always proactively seek opportunities to cooperate in research and consulting according to business orders and solve social problems, including research projects, construction proposals to build a Living Lab model for a highly interactive innovative urban area in the East of the city (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science & Technology), GrandAR Piano for Kids (AEON Shopping Center, Tan Phu District), Designing programs and teaching according to orders from localities and businesses, and the FinTechNovation Credentials program (UOB Bank).

With the motto “Think Global, Act Local”, CTD’s science and technology activities have the participation not only of UEH lecturers, researchers, and representatives of local Departments but also International experts and organizations to work together to come up with new international solutions that can be applied to Vietnam. A typical example is the series of educational seminars: Smart Urban Intervention – Smart City Living Lab (SCLL) organized by the Institute of Smart City and Management, in conjunction with Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (China), and Sungkyunkwan University (Korea). The conference had the participation of professors and experts from units, agencies, departments, universities, research institutes, and organizations in Vietnam, Korea, and China. Throughout the program, difficulties in the process of improving the intelligence index of an urban area are shared and analyzed, as well as solutions given by experts directly involved in smart city projects in Seoul (South Korea). In addition, the speakers also mentioned opportunities for urban improvement in Vietnam, and especially mentioned the Living Lab model – a new project model with the goal of promoting ideas towards improving and developing a sustainable urban area in the face of unforeseen difficulties in the future.

Educational seminar series: Smart Urban Intervention – Smart City Living Lab

With the contribution of UEH College of Technology and Design, UEH’s innovation startup ecosystem has developed comprehensively in terms of the quality and quantity of startup communities participating in activities, with 02 incubators in Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long. As of June 2023, the Institute of Innovation has incubated nearly 100 startup projects, including 19 company establishment projects, more than 7,600 people attending activities and a total value of venture capital investment reached 350,000 USD. UEH was voted as the Top 10 Universities with the best innovative startup incubation programs in Asia. The Institute of Innovation also carries out consulting and support activities for student startups through sharing and training sessions with high schools and secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces, and students from Partner schools listed as Singapore Management University, and coordinates and implements innovation programs for 50 students from businesses, innovative start-up projects, and youngsters and students in Hau Giang province.

UEH BizTech Hackathon 2023

In 2023, CTD also coordinated with local Departments and Agencies in Vinh Long and Khanh Hoa to organize training courses for teachers, and middle and high school students in advanced classes applied STEM teaching and learning within the framework of the UEH Global 2023 project. The program attracted the participation of 164 students and teachers in Vinh Long province, and the participation of 136 teachers and students in Khanh Hoa province.

Ready for a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University journey

With fundamental achievements in recent times, UEH College of Technology and Design has determined the next direction “Transforming for Sustainability” according to 5 pillars: Training, Scientific Research, International Cooperation, Social Impact Strategy, and Operations Management. By 2030, CTD will become a leading educational, research, and consulting institution in design and technology application, planning, management and administration in Vietnam and has a reputation in the Southeast Asia region, particularly, focusing on building a sustainable learning and research environment “Research for All”. Components of the research ecosystem include lecturers, researchers, research fellows, and graduate students participating in research, consulting, and transferring science and technology in CTD’s Eco-Studio Lab system. At the same time, the University will coordinate with domestic and international researchers and experts from universities, companies, and technology enterprises to spread knowledge, inspire creativity, and transfer research, technology solutions, and innovation to increase flexibility and adaptability, toward a smart life and a sustainable community.

On a journey of nearly 50 years, UEH has created many milestones of achievements. Now, with a new position and stature – the Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University needs greater determination and efforts from the entire UEHer, with the important role of UEH Member Colleges, to jointly realize the mission of UEH of contributing to human knowledge and the country’s socio-economic development./.

News, photos: UEH College of Technology and Design