VinUniversity has officially announced the establishment of the Center for Environmental Intelligence (CEI), operating in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, environmental and sustainability sciences, with a primary focus on addressing climate change and discovering new materials. This project is sponsored by the Vingroup Conglomerate, with a total investment of 8.75 million US dollars for the next five years.

The most significant challenge to Vietnam’s development is climate change. During the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Vietnam made a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. However, without immediate action, Vietnam is projected to lose approximately 12 to 14.5 percent of its GDP annually due to the impacts of environmental pollution and climate change. Aimed to explore and develop innovative technologies as solutions for a sustainable future, CEI is expected to serve as a hub for intellectual and resource collaboration, both domestically and internationally, in the effort to address this challenge for Vietnam.

CEI will focus its resources into research and providing assistance to projects in three main themes:

Environmental Monitoring: This involves the application of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to measure, monitor, and evaluate environmental indices. It includes the development of smart applications that can automatically warn users about approaching natural disasters and irregularities in environmental conditions, as well as the monitoring of carbon emissions using remote sensing data.

Living Lab: CEI utilizes modeling and simulation technology along with virtual reality technology to create a digital platform that serves as a Digital Twin of real-world systems. Researchers can use this platform to explore and experiment with creative solutions in various settings. By leveraging mathematical optimization, automation, and the IoT, CEI aims to simulate prototypes with the goal of building smart and sustainable cities of the future.

Advanced Materials and Devices for Sustainability: This area involves the use of Artificial Intelligence technology and a robot automation system to simulate and manage the process of designing new materials. The goal is to adjust procedures to expedite the discovery of innovative materials and reduce production costs. CEI conducts research on the development of advanced materials and devices in energy conversion and storage, with a focus on contributing to an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient future.

CEI is honored to have eight outstanding professors serve as its Scientific Advisory Board to provide guidance for the Center’s research projects. The board members include:

1. Professor Konstantin Sergeevich Novoselov, Nobel laureate in Physics 2010, University of Manchester;
2. Professor Thục-Quyên Nguyễn, University of California, Santa Barbara;
3. Professor David Reibstein, University of Pennsylvania;
4. Professor Ozan Tonguz, Carnegie Mellon University;
5. Professor Omar M. Yaghi, UC Berkeley, recipient of the VinFuture Prize;
6. Professor Helen Nguyễn, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign;
7. Professor Nitesh V. Chawla, University of Notre Dame;
8. Professor Khalid M. Mosalam, University of California, Berkeley.

CEI Board of Scientific Advisors

 All research projects undertaken by CEI would be evaluated by the Board based on 4 criteria: (1) scientific and technological innovation; (2) potential of impacts on reducing environmental pollution and climate change; (3) training of highly qualified workforce with expertise and skills, and fostering for distinguished individuals; and (4) promotion of international collaboration and partnerships.

All projects related to the environment, smart cities, and innovative materials discovery will be conducted by VinUni professors and researchers collaborating closely with professors from our prestigious partner universities. CEI is committed to offering training programs for 50 Master’s students, 50 Doctoral candidates, and 25 Postdoctoral Researchers, along with research opportunities for 150 undergraduates.

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui, CEI Scientific Director

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui, VinUni Vice Provost for Research and CEI Scientific Director stated “The Center’s three proposed pillars – environmental monitoring, smart city modelling, and digital material science – would bring us great opportunity to improve our perception, create new and sustainable technologies while being socially and environmentally responsible. Through these research projects, exchanging specialists, lecturers, and expertise with our world-class research partners, we can share our resources, employ our expertise and knowledge to stimulate innovation to new heights, stepping closer to a sustainable future across the globe.”

Professor Konstantin Novoselov, a member of CEI’s Scientific Advisory Board, said, “In my opinion, CEI is a bold and innovative initiative, precisely what we need to address the increasingly complex challenges of this new era. It is evident that Artificial Intelligence and materials science will play a crucial role in advancing science and technology, directly contributing to environmental protection, healthcare, and sustainable development. The establishment of CEI is not only vital for Vietnam but also on a regional and global scale. That is why I am particularly excited about this proposal put forward by VinUniversity to establish a research excellence center on VinUni campus. While CEI’s goals are undeniably ambitious, they also present exceptional opportunities for Vingroup Conglomerate and Vietnam to reaffirm their commitment to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable world.”

The establishment of VinUni CEI is expected to inspire innovation and top-tier research, leading to positive societal impacts and an improved quality of life for everyone. The official launch of CEI will take place during VinFuture Prize Week 2023 on VinUni campus.