[News] VIS and VNUK Collaborate to Launch Da Nang–VIS London Innovation Hub and Strengthen Academic Research Partnerships

As part of the SURF 2025 event, the Vietnam Intellectual Society in the UK and Ireland (VIS) and the Vietnam–UK Institute for Research and Training (VNUK), University of Da Nang, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly deliver activities linked to the Da Nang–VIS London Innovation Hub and to foster cooperation in education and research.

The agreement focuses on the following objectives: enhancing research and innovation capacity, promoting academic exchange between Vietnam and the UK, and connecting the overseas Vietnamese expert network with domestic educational institutions.

The cooperation will include:

– Implementing Innovation Hub Activities: VNUK will work with VIS to deliver research, training, and expert networking programmes under the framework of the Da Nang–VIS London Innovation Hub.

– Organising Academic Conferences and Forums: Both sides will co-host professional events to encourage academic exchange among lecturers, students, and experts in Vietnam and abroad.

– Scholar and Research Exchange: Developing scholar and student exchange programmes, as well as co-supervised research projects aimed at publication in international journals.

– Policy Advisory and Regional Development: Joint research and policy proposals on educational innovation, digital transformation, and science- and technology-driven regional growth.

– Connecting with the Vietnamese Intellectual Community in the UK: Facilitating opportunities for Vietnamese experts in the UK to participate in mentoring, training, and professional consultancy for domestic institutions.

In addition, VNUK and VIS co-hosted a seminar titled “Towards Vietnam’s Future: Key Insights on Innovation Capabilities and the Power of Digital Twins.” The event brought together experts, faculty members, and students, fostering an in-depth academic exchange on innovation capabilities and emerging technologies with the potential to shape Vietnam’s future.

Dr. Yen Tran, Vice Chair of VIS and Associate Professor of Innovation, Strategy, and International Entrepreneurship at Edinburgh Business School, presented her latest research on innovation capability development and strategy embracing new technologies. Professor Xuan Huan Nguyen, Chair of VIS from Middlesex University, present his work on strategic application of digital twin solving various industrial and society challenges.

The partnership between VIS and VNUK is a practical step towards improving the quality of training and research in Da Nang. By collaborating with the overseas Vietnamese intellectual community, VNUK can tap into additional international expertise that directly benefits academic programmes, applied research, and the professional development of its teaching staff. It forms a foundation for the university to contribute to Danang’s goal of aligning education with innovation-led development.