On the afternoon of 12 June, the University of Sciences, Hue University held a working session with a delegation from Fundación Metrópoli (Spain), led by Dr. Alfonso Vegara Gomez – Founder and Chairman of the organization.

Also attending on behalf of Fundación Metrópoli was Mr. Jose Sanchez-Barroso, Metropoli Advisor in Vietnam, along with other members.

On behalf of the University of Sciences were Assoc. Prof. Tran Ngoc Tuyen, Vice Rector; Assoc. Prof. Huynh Thi Anh Phuong – Head of the Office for Science, Technology, International Relations and Library services; Dr. Tran Thi Phuong An – Vice Head of the same Office; Assoc. Prof. Hoang Cong Tin – Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science; Dr. Nguyen Hoang Ha – Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology; Dr. Duong Quang Hiep – Dean of the Faculty of History; Dr. Nguyen Vu Minh – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture; Dr. Vo Ngoc Duc – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture; and other relevant lecturers.

At the meeting, representatives of Fundación Metrópoli presented an overview of the organization and its international cooperation activities in strategic urban planning, innovation, and sustainable development. Founded in 1997, Fundación Metrópoli is a non-profit organization headquartered in Madrid, Spain, known for its "Intelligent Territories" development model, which aims to effectively harness local distinctive values to build sustainable development strategies and enhance competitiveness.

On behalf of the University, Assoc. Prof. Huynh Thi Anh Phuong presented the University of Sciences' research strengths and proposed several key cooperation orientations, including developing the "Hue – Smart Heritage Territory" program; building a research and innovation platform on sustainable urban development, forming the "Hue Heritage, Innovation and Sustainability Lab" model; cooperation in training and human resource development; and promoting joint research activities, scientific publications, and connections with international academic networks, particularly programs such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and other sustainable development funds.

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Tran Ngoc Tuyen also affirmed that the University of Sciences aspires to become an academic, research, and innovation partner of Fundación Metrópoli in developing and implementing initiatives to develop Hue as a green heritage city and smart territory.

With strengths in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, information technology, GIS, environment, climate change, cultural heritage, and development policy, the University of Sciences stands ready to contribute scientific resources, research data, and a team of experts to support policy-making and sustainable urban development.

The meeting took place in an open and effective atmosphere, opening up many prospects for cooperation between the two sides in research, training, and innovation. Both sides also discussed orientations for coordinating the implementation of cooperation programs in the coming period, contributing to helping the city of Hue promote its heritage, cultural, and knowledge values to develop as a green, creative, and sustainable heritage city.