The University of Da Nang (UDN) has recently entered into a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the military-run Viettel Group, Viet Nam’s largest mobile carrier by subscription numbers, to develop IoT (Internet of Things) products and services. The cooperation agreement shows UDN’s active response to the burgeoning fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).

The SDC-developed smart bicycle-sharing system is expected to bring more convenience to locals and visitors

Under their agreement, in the coming time, Viettel Business Solution company and the Software Development Centre under the UDN will cooperate in developing  products based on such advanced hi-tech applications as IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data (Big Data), as a move heading towards smart city building. 

According to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, the UDN’s Director, under the UDN’s scientific and technological development strategy by 2025, with a vision towards 2035, special attention is paid to developing scientific staff, especially stablishing teaching research teams (TRTs), which are enough capacity to solve scientific and practical issues, especially in such key hi-tech aspects as IT, electronics-telecommunications, data science, AI, automation and biotechnology.

Recent times have seen many effective cooperation programmes between UDN’s units with the France-based Nice Sophia Antipolis University, UK universities, Microsoft and other partners active in digital technology.

Dr. Trinh Cong Duy, the SDC’s Deputy Director, pointed out to the fact that one of the biggest challenges facing startups, manufacturers and research groups is the current lack of wide area network to control, store and process AI-driven big data.

To solve this matter of concern, SDC has introduced the city’s IT community to an open source platform called UD OpenLora, from which many technological solutions will be set up so as to enrich and diversify the IT ecosystem for the sake of smart city building process.

Noticeable, over 2 recent years, SDC has transferred its outstanding tech products to local businesses and agencies.

For instance, the application of the electricity consumption control technology is underway at the city-based Cocobay entertainment and tourism complex.

Another worth praising cooperation project is the pilot application of a smart bicycle-sharing system into tourism in Da Nang as ordered by the municipal Department of Transport.

This is a service in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a short term basis for a price. Accordingly, users can easily scan QR codes to unlock bicycles if needed.

If it is successful, this model will be expanded into such other nearby localities as Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. 

SDC is also joining its force with the Ho chi Minh City-headquartered VNG Corporation to develop a camera system capable of collecting and processing data in a smart manner.

By applying science to real life, UDN shows its pioneering role in researching and developing highly practicable tech apps to partly boost smart city building work in the city.