On the afternoon of July 13, 2025, as part of the 14^th CITA 2025 Conference, the 3rd ASEAN Consortium for Innovation and Research – ACIR+ was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The event was organized by Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, in collaboration with the ACIR Community, aiming to promote the enhancement of educational quality, innovation, and scientific research.

Overview of ACIR+ 2025 Consortium

Co-chaired by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU, Dr. Sopheap Seng – Director of the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT), and Prof.Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (Poland), the consortium also saw participation from representatives of VKU, including Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Chairman of the University Council, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho – Vice Rector, and leaders from ACIR member organizations, renowned scholars, university leaders worldwide attending ACIR and CITA, and faculty members of VKU and CADT.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Head of the Organizing Committee – VKU Rector is delivering an opening speech

In the opening remarks of ACIR+ 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap expressed his joy in welcoming scientists, leaders of associations, domestic and international higher education institutions, and leaders of ACIR member organizations attending ACIR+ and CITA 2025. The ASEAN Consortium for Innovation and Research – ACIR was initiated by VKU in 2023 and has been highly appreciated by the academic community and universities in Southeast Asia, with the active support of organizations such as KOICA, scientists from the UK, Poland, South Korea, Ireland, France, …. This initiative aims to foster collaboration, improve educational quality, innovation, and scientific research in the region. Through this, ACIR+ has received new ideas for organizing and enhancing the quality of the CITA conference and, starting in 2025, will be held alternately at universities within the ACIR community. The initiative strengthens cooperation to improve training and research capacity, as well as organizing many collaborative activities between ACIR and FISU Vietnam.

Over the past two years, many academic exchanges and scientific research activities among ACIR members have taken place, including the successful organization of international conferences such as CITA 2023, CITA 2024, ATC 2023, SeMI 2024, AWRIS (led by VKU), ICTA 2024 (led by ICTU), ISDS 2023 (led by CTU), Semiconductor Human Resources in the Global Supply Chain 2024 (VKU in collaboration with ITI-VNU), STEM 2025, ISEP (VKU in collaboration with KMUTNB). VKU and Phenikaa have also successfully implemented the project “Enhancing Job Opportunities for Students in the Digital Transformation Era,” sponsored by the British Council. VKU and ITI have organized training courses on semiconductor chip design for faculty and students of universities in Da Nang, and they have collaborated on PhD and Postdoc training. Notably, VKU initiated and coordinated ACIR to organize the 1st ACIR+ Workshop on Research and Innovation for Students in Southeast Asian and International Universities (AWRIS 2024). Additionally, VKU has actively collaborated with KMUTNB (Thailand) to carry out various academic exchange activities between faculty and students with a wide range of programs.

At the ACIR+ 2025 Consortium, representatives of scientists and ACIR members shared strategic directions, proposed the organization of specialized academic conferences and workshops, initiated joint international projects, and discussed the development of an international ACIR journal to enhance educational quality, promote scientific research, and innovation globally. Renowned professors such as Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (Poland), Associate Prof. Dr. Le Khac Nhien An (Ireland), and Prof. Dr. Franck Leprévost (Luxembourg) brought insightful perspectives on innovation and global research trends. Many notable initiatives were proposed, including elevating the CITA conference proceedings to Group A in the international publishing system (Springer – DBLP, Scopus, WoS), expanding collaboration with European universities, strengthening academic exchanges, student and faculty exchanges, and international internships. These initiatives not only deepened the connections among ACIR members but also opened up comprehensive cooperation opportunities, contributing to elevating Southeast Asian higher education on the global academic map.

ACIR+ 2025 concluded with many innovative ideas being connected, new visions being opened, and a strong spirit of sustainable cooperation being spread widely. As a pioneering force, VKU continues to be a bridge connecting knowledge and creativity, accompanying the academic community in the region and internationally in creating a space for innovation, integration, and development. The consortium serves not only as a meeting place for leaders and scholars but also as a solid foundation for educational and research initiatives to elevate Southeast Asia and the world.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

Some pictures:

27 Views