UEH Participates in Sharing and Discussion at the Scientific Conference on the Operating Mechanism of the National Research Center for Ocean Technology in Khanh Hoa

21 Apr, 2026

On April 21, 2026, in Nha Trang City, the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province organized the scientific conference “Operating Mechanism of the National Research Center for Ocean Technology” to consult experts, scientists, and research institutions on the organizational model, operating mechanism, and future development orientation of the Center in the coming period.

As a unit involved from the early stage of developing the proposal, experts and scientists from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) shared opinions, provided critique, and proposed many important solutions, contributing to clarifying the model, implementation roadmap, and resource mobilization mechanism for the Center.

Overview of the Conference

The conference took place in the context of Vietnam’s strong push for marine economic development based on science, technology, and innovation. The proposal for the National Research Center for Ocean Technology was developed in response to Resolution No. 09 of the Politburo on the development of Khanh Hoa Province to 2030, with a vision to 2045, aiming to make the province a national and regional marine economic hub.

From the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, the conference was attended by Comrade Ho Xuan Truong - Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Nguyen Thanh Ha - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and M.A. Pham Quoc Hoan - Director of the Department of Science and Technology.

From UEH, the conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Interim President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of UEH Alumni and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of the Institute of Smart Urban and Management (ISCM). The conference also saw the participation of representatives from departments, agencies, institutes, universities, and enterprises in the marine science and technology sector.

Within the program, delegates listened to an overview report on the process of advising on the establishment of the Center, as well as in-depth presentations focusing on key issues such as organizational and governance models, initial financial mechanisms, public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms, special policies, and the development orientation of ocean technology.

Notably, UEH scientists contributed two important presentations, offering academic perspectives closely linked to practical implementation.

In the presentation “Organizational, governance, and operational model for the National Research Center for Ocean Technology toward high performance and international practice”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh emphasized the need for an open, flexible, and multi-stakeholder governance model. Accordingly, the Center should be organized as a “co-creation” platform connecting the State, scientists, universities, and domestic and international enterprises, operating based on data, technology, and international standards to ensure that research is linked with application, commercialization, and innovation, thereby becoming a livelihood source for local communities and supporting the sustainable development of the marine economy.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh presented the paper

From the perspective of policy and finance, the presentations by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet proposed breakthrough mechanisms to ensure the Center’s operations in the initial phase. These included a flexible financial mechanism combining state and socialized resources; shifting from input-based to results-based management; and piloting a sandbox mechanism for ocean technology projects.

Highlighting the importance of this mechanism, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet stated: “The sandbox mechanism is an essential tool to shorten the gap from research to commercialization, reduce dependence on foreign technology, and at the same time ensure maritime security and sovereignty.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman of UEH Alumni presented the paper

Sharing more about UEH’s accompanying role, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung said: “From the very early stage of participating in the proposal development, UEH has determined to pursue and support the implementation of the Center to the end. UEH has sufficient capacity to connect international projects in ocean technology, mobilize resources from international funds and partners, and link with the startup ecosystem while implementing marine education activities for the younger generation. If operated for 3–5 years under a co-creation mechanism among stakeholders as proposed, the Center can fully operate effectively and generate practical value."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung spoke at the conference

In addition to the presentations, the open discussion session also recorded many contributions from experts, focusing on mechanisms for recruiting and rewarding high-quality personnel; methods for ordering research tasks; coordination mechanisms between the Center and enterprises and international organizations; as well as the development orientation of key technologies in the ocean sector.

During the proposal development process, UEH played the role of a consulting and drafting partner with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, contributing to shaping the Center’s model in a modern direction, aligned with international practices and suitable to local conditions. This accompaniment continues to affirm UEH’s role in connecting knowledge, participating in policy formulation, and promoting innovation models for the community.

The conference is an important step in the roadmap to establish the National Research Center for Ocean Technology — a strategic scientific and technological institution not only for Khanh Hoa but also for Vietnam’s marine economic development in the new era.

Delegates took a commemorative photo

About UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang

UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, was established to realize UEH’s local development mission through education and high-quality human resource training for the Central and South Central Coast regions, continuing the strategic imprint of UEH Mekong in the Mekong Delta.

With the international vision “Where knowledge converges”, Nexus Campus Nha Trang aims to become a hub connecting students, experts, and scholars from Vietnam and abroad; opening new academic opportunities, promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation to serve regional development needs.

Through this, UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang contributes to training local human resources with design thinking, creative capacity, and global integration skills, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Khanh Hoa Province and the wider region.

Pillar: Research, Community

Project: UEH Connecting

News, photos: Institute of Smart Urban and Management, Department of Communications and Partnerships, UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang