XJTLU co-hosts international education symposium, promoting smart city transition

05 Sep 2023

On August 17 - 18, the first Smart City Education Symposium: Smart Urban Intervention - Smart City Living Lab (SCLL) in 2023 co-hosted by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, focused on the strategies of a future city and promoting smart city transition.

In 2019, UN-Habitat highlighted that smart city transformations “emphasize socio-cultural processes, such as the creation of collective knowledge, beyond technological aspects”. SCLL is an initiative aiming to enable smart city transition by social learning through the interchange of collective knowledge and instant feedback, and is being promoted in Asia by various stakeholders including XJTLU.

This symposium served as both a forum investigating the feasibility of SCLL and an opportunity to enhance the profiles of Asian Universities internationally as key player of smart city transitions.

Dr Juhyun Lee, Dr Hyung Rae Cho, and Dr Joon Sik Kim from XJTLU’s Department of Urban Planning and Design attended the symposium.

The XJTLU expert group (from left to right: Dr Juhyun Lee, Dr Joon Sik Kim, and Dr Hyung Rae Cho)

On the first day of the symposium, university professors, experts from the local authority, research institutes, and organisations in Asia gathered to debate and analyse the challenges of innovating a city's smart index, and solutions were provided by experts who are directly involved in smart city initiatives.

XJTLU experts in discussion of the prospective opportunities for smart city living lab education

The experts from XJTLU discussed the opportunities for smart urban transformation in Asia, particularly the Living Lab model - a model that promotes ideas to improve and develop a sustainable city capable of addressing unanticipated future challenges.

XJTLU experts in discussion of the future of smart city development about Thủ Đức in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

On the second day, the experts from XJTLU also conducted seminars for exchange sessions and discussions on the future of smart city development with the City People's Committee's Chairman, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Dien Quang company's leadership representatives. The expert groups engaged in an in-depth discussion of the Living Lab model, which concentrates on strategies that promote innovative ideas for development in areas that directly impact the construction process of vibrant urban life and sustainability.

In addition, XJTLU scholars visited and learned about the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) through their E-History system and material facilities for students. During the meeting with Bui Quang Hung, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, the XJTLU experts actively discussed potential opportunities for educational collaboration.

XJTLU scholars at University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)

Other universities that co-hosted the symposium include Sungkyunkwan University (Korea), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Thu Duc City Authority (Vietnam).

Story and photo provided by Dr Hyung Rae Cho

Edited by Yi Qian

05 Sep 2023