[Green Monday Series] What does SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure mean at UEH?

In a rapidly changing world, resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and innovation are considered essential foundations for driving economic growth, social development, and addressing global challenges. At the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), efforts in research, innovation, entrepreneurship support, and strengthening partnerships with businesses have been actively promoted to create sustainable value for the community. In this week's Green Monday Series, let's explore SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and UEH’s initiatives on the journey toward building a sustainable community and city.

Resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and innovation have become key drivers of economic growth, social development, and climate action worldwide. Between 2015 and 2024, the world witnessed significant progress: manufacturing value added per capita increased by 17.3%, maritime freight transport reached 11.6 billion tons, and 5G mobile networks expanded to cover more than half of the global population. These achievements demonstrate that investments in infrastructure, technology, and innovation not only enhance competitiveness but also lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.

However, the journey toward achieving SDG 9 still faces many challenges. The slowdown of global manufacturing under the pressures of trade tensions, inflation, energy price fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions has significantly affected economic growth momentum. At the same time, development disparities remain evident, as many developing countries continue to face difficulties in industrialization, while 4% of the world's population still lacks access to mobile networks. These realities highlight the importance of continued investment in modern infrastructure, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive development opportunities for all as critical factors in building sustainable economies and communities.

In pursuit of SDG 9, UEH continuously promotes research and knowledge transfer activities to create practical value for society. In 2024, UEH recorded 17 ministerial- and national-level research projects, along with 3 patents derived from research outcomes. At the same time, UEH has actively nurtured an innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial community within academia. Specifically, UEH supported 170 students through innovation and entrepreneurship activities, facilitated the establishment of 20 university spin-off enterprises, and contributed to the development of 4 startup companies with sustainable innovations. These achievements clearly demonstrate UEH's role in connecting knowledge with practice, creating an environment where innovative ideas can be transformed into real-world solutions that support sustainable development and generate value for the community.

In addition, UEH has invested significantly in strengthening its applied research capacity through close collaboration with businesses and social partners. In 2024, total revenue generated from research, consulting, and knowledge transfer exceeded VND 520.8 billion. Of this amount, STEM-related fields contributed VND 171.9 billion, Medical Sciences generated VND 10.4 billion, and Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences accounted for VND 338.6 billion. These figures reflect UEH's commitment to promoting innovation, transforming research outcomes into practical solutions, and making meaningful contributions to socio-economic development in line with sustainable development goals.

Infographic of UEH's contributions to SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 9 is not only about technology, infrastructure, or innovation. It is also about creating solutions that improve quality of life and promote sustainable development for communities. At UEH, every applied research project, every nurtured startup idea, and every partnership established with businesses contributes to building an innovation ecosystem that serves the common good of society.

This article was prepared with reference to:

1. UEH Sustainability Report 2024: https://books.ueh.edu.vn/sustainability-report-ueh/  

2. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/infrastructure-industrialization/  

Additional Information:

UEH Green Campus - Green Monday Series is a communication activity series under the UEH Green Campus Project, posted every Monday to start the week with positive energy and encourage a green lifestyle by providing knowledge, updating news, sharing inspiring stories about environmental protection and sustainable development.

News and photos: UEH Green Campus Project