UEH and NEU Jointly Organize Two National Scientific Conferences on Innovation and the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure

17 May, 2025

On May 15, 2025, in Hanoi, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the National Economics University (NEU) successfully co-organized two national scientific conferences addressing strategically significant topics for Vietnam’s socio-economic development: (1) Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Enhancing Innovation Capacity of Enterprises, and (2) Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Mobilizing and Utilizing Resources for the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure.

Academic Forum: Gathering Intelligence, Connecting Policy and Practice

These two conferences were part of the State-level Key Science and Technology Program KX.01/21-30, with the following objectives: (1) “Improving the Policy System to Enhance the Innovation Capacity of Vietnamese Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation” and (2) “Innovating Methods for Mobilizing and Effectively Utilizing Resources to Develop Transport Infrastructure in the Mekong Delta Region, Adapted to Climate Change.”

The conferences attracted delegates from central agencies, ministries, departments, research institutes, universities, scientists, experts, lecturers, and researchers nationwide.

From UEH, the participants and presenters included: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President, Project Leader KX01.04; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of UEH Strategy and Policy Advisory Council, Project Leader KX01.02; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Dean of the Institute of Smart City and Management.

From NEU, the delegates included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong - Vice President; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat - Chairman of the Scientific and Training Council; Prof. Dr. Sci. Luong Xuan Quy - Former Rector; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu - Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Chairman of the Advisory Council; along with leaders of schools, departments, faculties, institutes, centers, staff, lecturers from both universities, scientists, and authors of conference papers.

The active presence and participation of UEH and NEU leadership in both conferences demonstrated the universities’ proactive roles, responsibility, and commitment to collaborating with other educational institutions, state management agencies, the academic community, and businesses in proposing scientific and highly practical recommendations to serve the nation’s renewal and development efforts.

Panoramic view of the conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Enhancing Innovation Capacity of Enterprises”

Panoramic view of the conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Mobilizing and Utilizing Resources for the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure”

Enhancing Enterprise Innovation Capacity - A Lever for Digital Economic Growth

The national scientific conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Enhancing Innovation Capacity of Enterprises” is expected to contribute to systematizing theoretical foundations, summarizing international experiences, and drawing relevant policy implications to enhance enterprise innovation capacity - a key factor in the national development strategy during the digital transformation era.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong - Vice President of National Economics University, delivering remarks on the significance and anticipated success of the conference

In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the UEH University Council, emphasized the urgent role of innovation in the context of modernization, digital transformation, and international integration, noting that innovation has become an essential requirement for the sustainable development of enterprises and the competitiveness of the national economy.

“The conference should focus on four key directions: (1) Systematizing theoretical foundations and analytical frameworks for policy systems that promote science, technology, and innovation in the enterprise sector; (2) Clarifying the theoretical basis of enterprise innovation capacity in the context of digital transformation; (3) Studying international experiences in policy formulation to draw applicable lessons; (4) Assessing the impact of policy systems on the formation, development, and enhancement of enterprise innovation capacity,” shared Prof. Nguyen Dong Phong.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong – Chairman of the UEH University Council delivering the keynote address

The conference received over 60 high-quality papers from scholars, experts, and managers nationwide. The presentations and discussions are expected to create a vibrant academic forum, strengthening the link between theory, practice, and policy, and contributing to the improvement of the national policy system in line with Resolution 57-NQ/TW on the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Developing Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure - A Foundation for Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta

Transport infrastructure is always an essential foundation for the socio-economic development of any nation. In the current context, as Vietnam in general and the Mekong Delta in particular face serious challenges from climate change, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion, the effective mobilization and utilization of resources for transport infrastructure development is both an urgent immediate requirement and a long-term strategic mission.

Against this backdrop, the national scientific conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Mobilizing and Utilizing Resources for the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure” is expected to serve as a vibrant academic forum, effectively connecting research, practice, and policy, while providing practical value to the formulation and management of climate-resilient transport infrastructure development policies in Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu - Vice President of National Economics University delivering the opening remarks

In his keynote, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President of UEH, emphasized: “The presentations and discussions at today’s conference not only reaffirm the strategic importance of transport infrastructure in socio-economic development but also open new perspectives on resource mobilization, effective public-private partnership models, and international experiences that can be flexibly applied to the Vietnamese context.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung Vice President of UEH delivering the keynote address

Given its significance, the conference received more than 30 high-quality papers from scholars, experts, and managers nationwide, with many insightful presentations and in-depth exchanges from academics, researchers, and policymakers from universities, research institutes, and policy-making agencies.

Within the conference framework, delegates focused on four main directions: (1) Identifying the core role of transport infrastructure in promoting socio-economic development, especially in the context of climate change; (2) Clarifying theoretical foundations and methods for mobilizing, allocating, and effectively utilizing resources - including finance, human resources, natural resources, and science and technology – for sustainable transport infrastructure development; (3) Sharing trends and international experiences in building climate-resilient transport systems to draw applicable lessons; (4) Drawing practical lessons and policy recommendations for the Mekong Delta, aiming for feasible, actionable, and scalable solutions.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President of UEH, noted that through the discussions, a consensus emerged: developing transport infrastructure in the context of climate change cannot stop at expanding scale, but must shift strongly toward sustainable, adaptive development, green infrastructure, and high resilience. This necessitates urgent institutional innovation, intersectoral policy integration, and enhanced effective cooperation between the State, the private sector, academia, and the community - aligned with the “co-creation” spirit increasingly emphasized in public policy formulation and implementation.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President of UEH delivering the concluding remarks

Thus, the success of the two national scientific conferences jointly organized by UEH and NEU has brought valuable knowledge and significant contributions to promoting the country’s sustainable development in the new context. At the same time, this also demonstrates the close, effective, and substantive cooperation between UEH and NEU in particular, as well as the enduring partnership among educational institutions, research institutes, and state management agencies in the ongoing search for scientific solutions to contemporary development challenges.

Some other images:

1. National Scientific Conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Enhancing Innovation Capacity of Enterprises”

Dr. Nguyen Huu Xuyen - Acting Vice Director, Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy & Strategy, Academy of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology, presents the paper “Analytical Framework for the Impact of Policy on Enterprise Innovation Capacity”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Huyen - Deputy Dean of the Marketing Faculty, National Economics University, presents the paper “The Impact of Digital Transformation on the Innovation Capacity of Vietnamese Enterprises”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Huong Lan - Dean of the Institute of Policy and Management, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presenting the paper “Open Innovation Model: Some Suggestions for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Vietnamese Enterprises”

The Chairing Panel moderating the discussion session at the conference

Delegates engaging in discussions at the conference

Delegates taking a commemorative photo

2. National Scientific Conference “Theoretical Foundations and International Experiences in Mobilizing and Utilizing Resources for the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure”

Prof. Dr. Bui Tien Thanh - Dean of the Faculty of Transport Infrastructure, University of Transport and Communications, presenting the paper “Trends in the Development of Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure Worldwide and Suggestions for Vietnam”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Hoai Linh - Institute of Banking and Finance, National Economics University, presenting the paper “Mobilizing Financial Resources for Climate-Resilient Transport Infrastructure Development: International Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam”

Prof. Dr. Ngo Thang Loi - National Economics University, presenting the paper “Improving the Institutional Framework for Mobilizing Resources for Road Transport Infrastructure Development through PPP: International Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam”

Dr. Hoang The Anh - Vietnam Institute of Economics and World Economy, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, presenting the paper “Experiences in Mobilizing Resources for Green Infrastructure Development in China and Implications for Vietnam”