Arttech Fusion Hub - Connecting technology and art communities for sustainable development

Within the framework of the Ready for Next 2022 program series, on the morning of December 4, 2022, at Hall A.103, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) officially launched ArtTech Fusion Hub. This is a network connecting schools, experts, businesses, domestic and international management agencies, solving urban and industry issues based on technology and art elements, aiming for sustainable development.

Sustainable development that brings a better quality of life requires the participation and contribution of the entire community, including the central role of universities, where professional knowledge and understanding of life are laid first for the younger generations. In the 4.0 era, technology and design are important basis for organizing a better life. Meanwhile, art is the breath of life, the foundation of creativity. Therefore, sustainable development must be based on technology combined with art and culture to balance material and spiritual factors, thereby, improving the quality of life comprehensively.

With this new approach, UEH has officially established ArtTech Fusion Hub (hereinafter referred to as ATFH) with the orientation to become an internationally integrated platform that connects universities, industry, government, and domestic as well as international communities to develop creative activities, the intersection between art and technology, towards sustainable values. The launch event of ATFH was honored to have the attendance of: Prof. TS. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President; Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the Strategic and Policy Advisory Council; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh - Dean of the School of Communication Design; and the attendance of Mr. Suh Jun Suk - Director of Ulsan Art Museum, Korea; with many guests.

Overview of the event

Speaking at the opening of the event, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH shared: “In the current context of strong digitalization and globalization, technology, design, and art are seen as spearheads for breakthroughs and tools to solve the problems of modern society, the future urban, towards sustainable development and improve the quality of life. In that spirit, UEH officially launched Arttech Fusion Hub, a gathering place for communities of scientists, educators, art and technology to develop creative activities, and the intersection between art and technology to create changes and inspire art, towards sustainable development. On behalf of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, I would like to officially announce the birth of the ArtTech Fusion Hub. Hopefully, this will be a successful first step to connect with domestic and foreign communities, and join hands to solve outstanding social problems with ArtTech.”

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh gave the opening speech of the program

ATFH will perform 3 main functions including: Education and training (Education), Research and project (R&D), Networking and development (Networking). Specifically:

Education and training: Organizing short courses, and training programs related to the fields of media, fashion, ArtTech, and design...;
Research and projects: Organizing scientific seminars, promoting research, consultation, and transfer to the community in solving issues related to sustainable development based on ArtTech;
Networking and network development: Organizing ArtTech activities such as academic exchanges, and professional development towards supporting Startups and SMEs.

ATFH's activities will revolve around 4 pillars including: Media, Technology, Art, and Design with specific fields such as: Gamification, Motion Tracking, Digital Entertainment, Hybrid Event, Metaverse, Virtual Human, Sustainable Material, NFT, Visual Art, Interactive Art, Digital Art, Robotics Art, UX, UI, VFX, Urban simulation, …

“Our future society is not solely based on the development of technology but must be based on the harmony, interference, and unity between humans, machines, and nature. This poses a requirement for future generations of young people to grasp and master technology, use technology as a driving force for development, use art to nurture spiritual values, and thereby work together towards sustainable development” - Mr. Suh Jun Suk - Director of Ulsan Art Museum, Korea shared.

Mr. Suh Jun Suk shared about the relationship between people and technology in the future

With a practical destination, the current ArtTech Fusion Hub network has attracted the attention and participation of many strategic partners such as Kwangwoon University, Seo Kyong University, Ulsan City Art Museum, SeoCho district, NC Soft, University of Seoul, Handong University, Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Startup Club, Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association. Notably, at the event, UEH also signed an MOU with the Ulsan Art Museum, one of the largest museums in Korea, with a diverse collection from prehistoric antiquities to contemporary artworks which is a testament to the development of Ulsan as well as Korea.

Representative of UEH signed MOU with Ulsan Art Museum

In the period of 2022-2025, ArtTech Fusion Hub will implement a comprehensive development plan from education, and research, to networking with activities such as: “Smart Living - Changing lifestyles to action for sustainability through ArtTechLens", "Emerging Media - technology is the key to open the door to the future", "ArtTech for Community: application and breakthrough", "Sustainable ArtTech towards a prosperous society".

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh shared about ATFH development strategy for the near future

Art will help to improve the aesthetic of industrial products, help to activate and promote technology to develop more, and in turn, technology will help develop and elevate the art. Therefore, the birth of ArtTech Fusion Hub will carry out the mission: (1) Applying ArtTech as a tool to solve urban and industrial problems through education and research to contribute to a better quality of life; (2) Nurturing an environment of innovation to encourage change and inspire the arts towards sustainable development actions. Hopefully, ATFH will be the convergence of the community of scientists, researchers, and domestic and foreign experts with UEH to discuss, consult, research, and spread knowledge and innovation tools to solve specific and urgent problems of the times.

In addition, within the framework of the program, there was also an award ceremony for authors with excellent works in the Artcamp 2022 contest launched by UEH in November 2022 with the theme "Sustainable Lifestyle In Community".

Mr. Doan Hoai Trung - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Photographic Association shared about Artcamp 2022 Awarding prizes to authors with excellent works

Through the ArtTech Fusion Hub in particular and the Ready for Next 2022 series of activities in general, UEH wishes to further promote the role of universities - hubs for connecting multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary knowledge, connecting resources, resonating and spreading positive values, contribute to the common picture of sustainable development of the community.

*About the Ready for Next program: UEH's series of programs that are ready for sustainable transformation for the community and society took place from December 4 to 11 with the goal of positive values for the community. Ready for Next will spread multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary knowledge in the areas of Technology for Life, Technology for Smart Cities, and Technology that Combines Art, and Sustainability. With this goal, within the framework of the program, there will be a variety of activities from academics, exchange forums, and community connection hubs to unique art inspiration activities such as exhibitions, fashion shows, and concerts.

Additional photos about the ArtTech Fusion Hub launch event: