ICATSD 2026 at IUH: Bringing Science and Technology Closer to Business

Introduction

The 3rd International Conference on Advanced Technology and Sustainable Development (ICATSD 2026) took place from October 8 to 10 at Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH), co-organized by IUH together with 7 domestic and international universities.

The conference was attended by Dr. Nguyen Viet Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Digital Transformation (Ministry of Industry and Trade); Ms. Phan Thi Quy Truc, Deputy Head of the Intellectual Property and Innovation Office, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, President of IUH - Chairman of the Organizing Committee; together with representatives of the 7 co-organizing universities, research institutes, enterprises, and international partners. The plenary session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Huynh Trung Hieu, Vice President of IUH, and Prof. Han-Chieh Chao, President of Fo Guang University.

This is one of IUH&sharp39;s representative scientific activities in the year marking its 70th anniversary of establishment, while opening more space for the State - university - scientists - enterprises to exchange on technology issues linked to production and sustainable development.

564 submissions, 143 papers selected

ICATSD is a series of international scientific conferences initiated and maintained by IUH. In its third edition, the Conference received 564 submissions, nearly three times as many as in 2022. After review and selection, 143 papers were accepted for publication, an increase of about 68% compared to the previous edition.

The papers focus on 5 areas, with many research directions drawing attention such as advanced technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, new materials, energy, and solutions serving sustainable development.

The papers are published in 5 proceedings volumes with eISBN indexing, 2 special issues of the IUH Journal of Science and Technology, and 1 special issue of an international Q1 journal.

7 co-organizing universities

• University of Liège (Belgium)
• Tokyo University of Technology (Japan)
• National Kaohsiung University (Taiwan)
• Kristen Krida Wacana University (Indonesia)
• Siam University (Thailand)
• Kasem Bundit University (Thailand)
• University of Finance - Marketing (Vietnam)

Science must address the problems of production

Speaking at the Conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai said that after 70 years of development, IUH is simultaneously promoting training, scientific research, technology transfer, and international cooperation. Science, technology, and innovation are increasingly linked to the University&sharp39;s development orientation.

According to the President of IUH, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, new materials, renewable energy, smart manufacturing, and biotechnology are opening up many opportunities. At the same time, climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, and the demand for green transformation are posing many new challenges.

Therefore, ICATSD 2026 does not stop at publishing research results but aims at the question of what problems research can solve for production, enterprises, and society.

From the university&sharp39;s perspective, the connections forged at ICATSD can pave the way for joint research programs, cooperation projects, technology transfer, and workforce training. Through this, scientific activities gain better conditions to approach the specific demands of reality.

Partner enterprises

At ICATSD 2026, the enterprise area featured the participation and connection of Dai Dung Group, Roboworld Group Joint Stock Company, Sao Mai Engineering Joint Stock Company, along with many enterprises and partners of IUH.

The participation of enterprises moves the discussion from research results to specific questions: what technology enterprises need, what problems must be solved, and which research can be developed into products, processes, or solutions for production. This is also the basis for forming cooperation projects after the Conference.

Sponsors

Ministry of Industry and Trade raises four-party linkage

Speaking at the plenary session, Dr. Nguyen Viet Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized that science, technology, and innovation play an important role in competitiveness and sustainable development.

According to him, the demand to develop faster but greener and more efficiently poses major tasks for universities, research institutes, and enterprises. The Industry and Trade sector is also transforming across many fields such as renewable energy, smart manufacturing, digital transformation, circular economy, efficient resource use, and emission reduction.

Therefore, scientific conferences need to become bridges between knowledge, technology, and the needs of socio-economic development, rather than stopping only at publishing research results.

Linkage between State - university - scientists - enterprises

One of the contents emphasized by the representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade is strengthening the linkage between the State - university - scientists - enterprises. Universities need to promote their role as centers of research, innovation, and technology transfer; enterprises participate in placing orders, co-developing, and applying research results; and management agencies create the framework and connect resources.

According to him, ICATSD 2026 bringing together scientists, experts, enterprises, and international partners creates conditions for forming a long-term cooperation network, aiming at scientific products with high applicability.

Expectations from the conference

Taking place in the year IUH turns 70, ICATSD 2026 continues to expand the University&sharp39;s international cooperation network while placing science and technology closer to the needs of enterprises. From 564 submissions and 143 selected papers, the greater expectation is the formation of cooperation programs, research projects, and technological solutions that can continue into practice.

Some images from the opening session