On July 30–31, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) successfully hosted The 8th International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development (GTSD 2026). The conference was co-organized with Ton Duc Thang University (Vietnam), National Taipei University of Technology (Taiwan), the University of Adelaide (Australia), and Quezon City University (Philippines), reaffirming HCM-UTE's role in connecting the global academic community and advancing research for sustainable development.
The 8th International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development (GTSD 2026)
GTSD 2026 received 655 manuscript submissions from researchers representing Vietnam, India, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Germany, Cambodia, Taiwan, Slovenia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Japan. Following a rigorous peer-review process, 286 papers were selected for presentation and publication in the conference proceedings. The accepted papers will be published through internationally recognized publishers, including IEEE Xplore, Springer, and VNU Press, demonstrating the conference's high academic standards, selective review process, and growing international reputation.
Held in a hybrid format, GTSD 2026 further strengthened its position as a prestigious international forum in the fields of green technology and sustainable development. The conference brought together researchers, scientists, academics, industry experts, and business representatives to exchange the latest research findings, share innovative solutions, and foster collaborations to address global sustainability challenges. This year's conference featured 42 onsite technical sessions and 13 online sessions, enabling researchers worldwide to present their work, exchange expertise, expand international partnerships, and establish multidisciplinary research networks.
Among the distinguished participants was Dr. Tran Nam Tu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Information under the Ministry of Education and Training. Representing HCM-UTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Phong, Acting Head of the Office of Science and Technology; together with representatives from various university units. The conference also welcomed three keynote speakers: Prof. Wei-Chih Lin, Honorary Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering at National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan) and Advisor to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City; Prof. Jian Zuo from the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, the University of Adelaide (Australia); and Mr. Brian Baewon Koh, Chief Executive Officer of Integra D&C (South Korea) and Innovative Design Inc. (United States).
Distinguished guests included Prof. Wen-June Wang, General Co-Chair of GTSD 2026 and Professor at National Central University (Taiwan); Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet, Vice President of Thu Dau Mot University; Dr. Nguyen Thac Quang, Standing Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Campus of the University of Transport and Communications; Dr. Cao Nguyen Thi, Vice President of Tien Giang University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Phuong, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Ton Duc Thang University; along with representatives from universities, research institutes, enterprises, and authors from Vietnam and abroad.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCM-UTE, emphasized that GTSD serves as an important platform connecting researchers, academics, industry experts, and enterprises to exchange ideas, present new research findings, and strengthen collaboration in green technology and sustainable development. He expressed his expectation that the conference would continue to inspire interdisciplinary research, expand international partnerships, and contribute practical solutions to sustainable development for the global community.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCM-UTE delivering his speech
Representing the Ministry of Education and Training, Dr. Tran Nam Tu highly appreciated GTSD's contribution to scientific research and international cooperation. He noted that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation have become essential drivers for addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable growth. He also reaffirmed that the Government of Vietnam recognizes these areas as key forces for national development in the new era and expressed his expectation that universities would continue leading research, technology transfer, and the development of high-quality human resources.
Dr. Tran Nam Tu delivering his speech
One of the highlights of GTSD 2026 was the keynote program delivered by leading international experts in green technology and sustainable development, offering valuable insights into emerging technologies, sustainable development models, and practical innovations.
Prof. Jian Zuo (the University of Adelaide, Australia) delivered the keynote presentation "Solid Waste Management Practices in Australia: Case Studies." His presentation introduced case studies on solid waste management in Australia, shared research findings on recycling management practices, evaluated policies aimed at increasing recycling rates, and demonstrated how spatial data analytics and machine learning can be applied to predict illegal dumping risks, thereby improving environmental management.
Prof. Wei-Chih Lin (National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan) presented "Smart Agricultural Robots Transforming the Current and Future of Farming." He introduced innovative applications of robotics and smart technologies in agriculture, including intelligent greenhouse systems, autonomous robots, and labor-support technologies that improve productivity while advancing sustainable farming.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brian Baewon Koh, CEO of Integra D&C (South Korea) and Innovative Design Inc. (United States), presented "From a Sustainable Architect to a Climate ConTech Entrepreneur." His keynote shared his journey from sustainable architecture to entrepreneurship in construction technology (ConTech), highlighting the role of digital solutions, carbon assessment, and Digital Twin technology in achieving carbon neutrality and developing sustainable infrastructure.
Keynote speakers delivering their presentation
Beyond serving as a platform for presenting cutting-edge research in green technology and sustainable development, GTSD 2026 functioned as an important bridge connecting universities, research institutes, enterprises, and international organizations. Through its technical sessions and academic discussions, the conference created numerous opportunities for collaborative research, technology transfer, and the development of innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development on a global scale.
The successful organization of the 8th International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development once again demonstrated HCM-UTE's capability to host large-scale international scientific events while further enhancing the University's reputation in scientific research, innovation, and international collaboration. The conference also reflects HCM-UTE's long-term strategy of developing as an application-oriented research university, actively integrating into the global academic community and contributing to Vietnam's and the region's science, technology, and sustainable development ecosystem.
About the University's Name Change
On December 26, 2025, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 2809/QD-TTg, officially renaming Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE). The new name reflects the University's multidisciplinary development strategy, its strengths in technology and engineering, and its current scale and stature.
Before 2007, the University was nationally recognized for teacher education in technical disciplines. Following reforms to Vietnam's national higher education classification system, HCM-UTE expanded its focus to technology, engineering, and related disciplines. The name change aligns with Vietnam's Higher Education Network Development Plan for 2021–2030 with a vision toward 2050, supports the nation's demand for high-quality human resources in the digital transformation era, and reinforces the University's role as a leading national institution in technology and engineering.