Strengthening the connection between scientific research and the preservation and promotion of cultural values is being focused on by member universities of the University of Da Nang (UD), contributing to the city’s overall development.

Lecturers and students of the UD and experts from the Maebashi Institute of Technology (Japan) research architectural space and landscape, contributing to preserving the cultural values of Hai Chau communal house. Photo: THU HA

Research linked to practical applications

In September 2024, within the framework of an international academic seminar with the theme ‘Establishing architectural space - urban landscape associated with traditional cultural values of Hai Chau communal house, Da Nang’, lecturers and students of the Faculty of Architecture, the University of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Construction Engineering, the University of Technology and Education under the UD and the Maebashi Institute of Technology (Japan) came to survey the current status of the field at Hai Chau communal house.

In early March 2025, within the framework of the discussion with the theme ‘Design of the new Da Nang railway station: Integration and connection with urban structure’, students and lecturers from the University of Science and Technology and Utsunomiya University (Japan) came to survey the actual situation in related areas to propose solutions for designing stations connected with urban transport infrastructure. The ideas and proposed solutions presented by these lecturers and students were all aimed at sustainable urban development.

Cai Huong Thao Nguyen, a student of the Faculty of Architecture, the University of Science and Technology under the UD, said that participating in the survey of the new Da Nang railway station project with students from Japan helped her to mature in terms of professional knowledge, practical skills and learn how to approach problems and design thinking.

According to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the former Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Science and Technology, the cooperation programmes help students approach reality and research urgent local issues. This is a suitable direction, expanding the research space from the lecture hall to reality, creating opportunities for them to do research to serve the community.

Preserving and promoting heritage values

In parallel with being on duty in the classroom, the teaching staff of member universities of the UD also unusually participate in researching, preserving and promoting heritage values in the city. According to Dr. Le Minh Son, the Head of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Science and Technology, Da Nang has a time-honoured history with many architectural works from the French colonial period that still exist today.

There are currently about 10 valuable works belonging to 3 French architectural styles, such as Ecole Franco - Annamite de Tourane (1890, now Phu Dong Primary School), the Cham Sculpture Museum (1919), the headquarters of the Da Nang Women's Union (1920) ...

These works have unique and distinctive features, contributing to creating a characteristic architectural space. However, these works are showing signs of deterioration due to the passage of time. Surveying and evaluating the value of these works is very necessary to propose appropriate solutions to preserve and promote their value in the new period.

As a former member of the Scientific Council for evaluating the dossier of ‘Ma Nhai’ (Inscriptions) at Da Nang’s Marble Mountains for submission to UNESCO for recognition as a documentary heritage under the UNESCO Memory of the World for the Asia-Pacific Region Programme, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Than, a lecturer at the University of Science and Education, affirmed a fact that the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage is very urgent.

Participating in the research of cultural, historical and heritage works shows the responsibility to preserve and promote the value of heritage for future generations. To do that, art education is an important task, contributing to spread good values.

The combination of research and application the UD is pursuing not only brings practical value contributing to the city’s development but also helps students reap ‘sweet fruits’. Outstandingly, at the end of 2024, the group of students Nguyen Chanh Truc, Phan Lanh, Tran Thi Phuong, Truong The Vinh from Faculty of Architecture, University of Science and Technology won first prize in the contest ‘Designing models of typical architectural works in Da Nang” with the Hai Van Gate model.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU