On October 16, 2024, VinUniversity proudly co-hosted the Franconomics 2024 International Forum, themed “Renewable Energy: A Scenario for a Green Future.” The event was organized in collaboration with the International Francophone Institute (IFI), VinUniversity’s Center for Environmental Intelligence (CEI), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, this prestigious event highlighted new opportunities for international collaboration in sustainable development.

The event featured two main parts: a plenary session and three parallel thematic discussion spaces:

• Space 1 focused on “Renewable Energy, Green Transition, and Sustainable Development.”
• Space 2 addressed “Renewable Energy, Green Growth, and Sustainable Tourism.”
• Space 3 hosted the final round of the “ÉCOJEUNES 2024 – Youth Committed to a Green Future” competition, where young talents presented their innovative ideas for a sustainable future.

French Ambassador Olivier Brochet delivered a keynote address, underscoring the growing partnership between France and Vietnam following Vietnamese General Secretary and President Tô Lâm’s visit to France. This collaboration is grounded in the newly established Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries, focusing on energy transition. Ambassador Brochet praised Vietnam’s ambitious commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels by the 2040s. France, through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), has pledged €500 million to support Vietnam’s transition. French organizations such as the French Development Agency (AFD) are playing a crucial role in modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure.

He further discussed the GEMMES program, now entering its second phase, and extended an invitation for Vietnam to join the Coal Transition Accelerator (CTA). French companies like EDF and Total Energies were also recognized for their contributions to advancing Vietnam’s renewable energy initiatives.

VinUniversity’s CEI: Leading Innovation and Empowering Young Minds

One of the highlights of Franconomics 2024 was the critical role played by VinUniversity’s Center for Environmental Intelligence (CEI). CEI not only hosted the event but also showcased its leadership in cutting-edge sustainability projects.

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui, Scientific Director of CEI, presented VinUni’s ambitious vision to drive environmental innovation through two groundbreaking projects:

• The Digital Twin Initiative, which uses virtual models to simulate and optimize real-time environmental management.
• Smart Charging Infrastructure, a revolutionary approach to supporting electric vehicle adoption in Vietnam using intelligent grid management and renewable energy.

Professor El Ghaoui also celebrated the success of VinUni students at the ÉCOJEUNES 2024 competition, where they took 1st place with their Triboelectric Nano Generator (TENG) project, named “MotionCharge.” The project, developed at CEI, uses recycled materials to convert movement into energy, showcasing both innovation and sustainability.

This victory underscores the importance of youth engagement in sustainability and reflects VinUni’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders. With key contributions from CEI and the success of VinUni students, Franconomics 2024 solidified VinUniversity’s pivotal role in advancing green energy solutions and driving Vietnam’s transition to a sustainable future.

Additional Photos from the Event: