ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW UNDERGRADUATE AND MASTER’S PROGRAM DIRECTORS AT THE INSTITUTE OF SMART CITY AND MANAGEMENT
On September 3, 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) officially presented appointment decisions to the Program Directors of undergraduate and master’s programs managed by the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM). Strengthening the Program Director team marks an important step in enhancing academic governance, reinforcing professional accountability, and promoting continuous quality assurance and improvement in alignment with UEH’s development and international integration strategy.
ISCM is pleased to congratulate the newly appointed Program Directors:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Master Program Director of the Smart City and Innovation Management
Mr. Dang The Hien – Architecture Program Director of the Architectural and Urban Design for Inclusive Smart City
Dr. Do Le Phuc Tam – Bachelor Program Director of the Architectural and Urban Design for Inclusive Smart City
Together with Dr. Pham Nguyen Hoai – Bachelor Program Director of the Smart Operations and Mobility Managemen, who was appointed in June 2026 – the Program Directors will serve as a core academic team responsible for the management, operation, and development of ISCM’s educational ecosystem under the coordination and strategic direction of the Institute’s leadership.
FROM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TO SHAPING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY
In the context of rapid changes in technology, urban development, and the labor market, an academic program cannot be developed and operated within a fixed structure. Programs need to be continuously reviewed, updated, and improved in response to advances in knowledge and technology, evolving professional practices, and changing societal needs.
Within this process, Program Directors play an important role in connecting educational objectives, learning outcomes, curriculum structures, teaching and learning activities, faculty members, partners, and relevant stakeholders. They also contribute to shaping the academic identity of each program and ensuring coherence between strategic directions and students’ actual learning experiences.
DEVELOPING PROGRAMS WITH A DISTINCTIVE ISCM IDENTITY
Each academic program at ISCM addresses a different professional domain, ranging from architecture, urban design, and urban management to smart operations and mobility. Nevertheless, all programs are developed upon a shared foundation of values: interdisciplinary thinking, innovation, technology integration, human-centered development, sustainability, and international integration.
For the Architectural and Urban Design for Inclusive Smart City Program, strengthening academic leadership for both the undergraduate and Architect pathways creates further opportunities to enhance the educational pathway, reinforce the integration of design, technology, and contemporary urban issues, and strengthen connections among design studios, research, professional practice, and real-world projects.
The Smart Operations and Mobility Management Program aims to develop human resources capable of addressing emerging challenges in urban operations, transportation, and mobility in the context of digital transformation, infrastructure development, and the growing adoption of intelligent systems.
At the postgraduate level, the Smart and Innovative Urban Management Program continues to advance an interdisciplinary approach integrating governance, planning, technology, and innovation, thereby developing professionals capable of identifying and addressing complex urban challenges in both Vietnamese and international contexts.
TOWARDS CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS
Strengthening the Program Director team is also part of ISCM’s broader direction to enhance academic governance and quality assurance. Accordingly, program development extends beyond academic content to ensuring coherence among learning outcomes, teaching methods, assessment approaches, faculty capacity, and feedback from learners and relevant stakeholders.
This provides an important foundation for ISCM’s programs to progressively align with international quality assurance practices and standards, while supporting UEH’s strategy to enhance educational quality and strengthen its academic standing.
In the coming period, the Program Directors are expected to further promote curriculum updates in response to emerging professional trends; strengthen the engagement of experts, industry partners, and international institutions; expand learning environments through studios, living labs, research, and real-world projects; and establish evidence-based mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement.
WORKING TOGETHER TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ISCM
Behind every academic program is a continuous process of development, evaluation, and renewal. In their new roles, the Program Directors will not only assume professional and academic responsibilities but also serve as important connectors, bringing faculty members, students, alumni, businesses, experts, and domestic and international partners into the program development process.
ISCM believes that, with the expertise, experience, and spirit of innovation of its Program Directors, the Institute’s academic programs will continue to develop towards being distinctive in identity, robust in quality, closely connected to practice, and ready for international integration.
ISCM warmly congratulates the Program Directors on their new appointments and wishes them continued success in applying their expertise, experience, and dedication. Together with the ISCM community, they will continue to develop meaningful and high-quality academic programs, contributing to the mission of educating future-ready human resources for smarter, more innovative, and sustainable cities.
News and photos: Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM)