Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong: “Technology & Design is the brand-new growth motivation of the economy”
12 Oct, 2022
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of UEH University Council as Honorary President of the International Scientific Conference “Resilience by Technology and Design RTD 2022” - evaluated the important role of technology solutions, design and innovation towards creating new impetus for economic recovery and growth.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of UEH University Council, Honorary President of the International Scientific Conference RTD
Reporter: After nearly a year of the Covid-19 pandemic, how would you assess the recovery signals of our Vietnamese economy? What is the driving force for the development of the economy in this new context?
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong: It should be admitted that 2022 is an important timeline for the adaptation and recovery of the global economy after being seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam is considered as one of the few Asian countries that has not been severely affected by the post-pandemic economic downturn. The World Bank (WB) forecasts our GDP growth rate at approximately 5.5% in 2022.
In other words, up to now, GDP growth rate has reached 5.03% in the first quarter of 2022 and 7.72% in the second quarter of 2022 - higher than that of the same period in 2020-2021. That growth momentum will be a positive rebound for the economy in the remaining quarters of the year. I believe it’s a natural and inherent happening in socio-economic activities after a sudden stagnation period. Therefore, boom and recovery after a repression period is understandable, especially in countries with positive growth room in the past, like Vietnam.
However, as an important test to see the risks, challenges and weaknesses of the economy, the pandemic helps us recognize the potential and opportunities for further development in the new context.
The most important thing that I would like to emphasize is innovation, associated with design thinking, as the application of new technologies is the driving force for the recovery and growth of the economy in the next period.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong speaking at an international event organized by UEH School of Technology and Design
Reporter: Facing the new development requirements of the society and the economy, how would you assess the role of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) in terms of promoting research, application and proposing solutions for development?
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong: From 2020, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has made an important transformation: becoming a multidisciplinary and sustainable University, promoting our advantages in training and research, in which “Nghiên cứu vì lợi ích cộng đồng - Research Contribution for All” is the mainstay of UEH’s multidisciplinary and sustainable development strategy.
UEH sets out a new mission of developing technology-oriented, innovative and smart solutions for the community and creating high-quality human resources, mastering economic knowledge and being knowledgeable about technology as well as innovative thinking.
The establishment of the UEH College of Technology and Design (College of Technology and Design - CTD) is a solid foundation to help UEH realize our research and proposals to contribute and to develop the economy and society in Vietnam. Especially in this 2022 year, UEH College of Technology and Design, for the first time, organizes an International Science Conference “Resilience by Technology and Design – RTD” with “Smart Living” Theme with the expectation of bringing not only scientific value but also practicality and high application.
Scientists and experts from diversely different fields related to technology, lecturers, companies, domestic and foreign enterprises will present and share new research results, exhibit solutions and technology, design and innovation products revolving around the core issues that are the driving force for sustainable development in the future, listed as: Resilience design in architecture and smart cities; Recovery technology; Design and technology for Unity and Innovation - driving the transition to resilient communities.
In accordance with these research findings, I believe that only technology, design, and innovation will be the engines of recovery and growth in the new era.
The establishment event of UEH College of Technology and Design
Reporter: Would you mind introducing the RTD International Scientific Conference as well as the main topics that the conference aiming at?
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong: The International Scientific Conference “Resilience by Technology and Design”, or the RTD Seminar, is a scientific forum for discussion on enhancing community resilience through public Technology and Design applications, focusing on people, aiming for a sustainable future.
In addition, the conference opened up opportunities for domestic and international scholars and businesses to exchange, cooperate, transfer science, engineering - technology and develop technology solutions and design as well as sharing research results, linking the scientific community around the world through 4 important topics: Sustainable design in architecture and cities; Scientific and technological solutions to support recovery and sustainable development; Design and technology towards unity; Innovation driving the transition to sustainable communities.
In addition to Vietnamese experts and researchers, the Scientific Council of the RTD 2022 Conference receives the participation of more than 30 member partners who are Organizations, Universities, and Research Institutes from many countries in the world like Korea, India, Australia, Thailand, Italy, and France.
RTD International Science Conference 2022 - Smart Living - binging practical contributions to the development of a civilized, modern, smart and sustainable community
Reporter: What results would you expect from this RTD Conference?
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong: With the determination of a team of scientists, researchers, scientific councils, and conference organizers, I affirm that this RTD conference will not only be of the international academic quality of domestic and international research but also bring solutions and applications of technology associated with practicality towards radical and sustainable solutions to solve our country’s development problems, creating a new impetus.
I believe this is an opportunity to spread knowledge and inspire creativity, concurrently transferring research, tools, and solutions on technology and innovation to increase flexibility and adaptability towards a smart life and a sustainable community in the context of a changing world.
Reporter: We do appreciate your time for sharing!
Information regarding the conference is officially posted on the website: http://rtdconference.info/
• Paper submission deadline: In advance of October 30, 2022
• Participation registration deadline: In advance of November 21, 2022
• Email contact towards the Conference Organizing Committee: rtd@ueh.edu.vn
