Upon the invitation of the President of the University of Côte d'Azur (UCA), Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu - President of the University of Da Nang (UD) led a delegation from UD to visit UCA and signed the strategic cooperation agreement between UD and UCA. Prof.Dr.Sc. Bui Van Ga - Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Technology Journal - UD, and Prof.Dr.Sc. Le Thanh Nhan - Director of Danang International Institute of Technology (DNIIT) - UD also joined the Delegation.

During the delegation's visit to UCA headquarters at Valrose Castle on November 26, 2025, they were received by Prof. Jeanick BRISSWALTER, President of UCA, and Prof. Stéphane NGO MAI, Vice President of UCA.

The two sides reviewed the cooperation situation over the past period and expressed satisfaction with the results achieved. In particular, both sides highly appreciated the performance of the DNIIT-UDin developing cooperation programs for scientific research (LoRA, landslide forecasting, smart city development, etc.) and training. 

Over the past year, 51 French students came to UD for internships, while 5 staff members and students from UD went to UCA for studies and research. The two sides also launched a joint Master's degree program in Tourism with 14  students  successfully enrolled.

The two sides discussed and agreed to collaborate in-depth in the following 06 strategic areas:

1. Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence: Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Blockchain; Digital Twin;

2. Human–Machine Interaction and Autonomous Systems: Application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR); Autonomous Systems; Robotics and Automation; Smart City;

3. Advanced Network and Communication Technologies: Mobile Networks (5G, 6G); LPWAN and IoT; Satellite Systems;

4. Applications and Smart Embedded Systems: Smart Embedded Systems; Smart Buildings; Risk Monitoring and Environmental Protection;

5. Energy and Materials of the Future: Nanomaterials and Advanced Materials; New Energy Systems and Renewable Energy; Green Energy and Hydrogen; Energy Storage;

6. Medicine and Biology of the Future: Innovative Biotechnology and Biomedicine; Telemedicine; Public and Digital Health.

In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation visited and worked at UCA’s School of Engineering (Polytech Nice Sophia). Professor Alexandre CAMINADA, the Director, guided the delegation on a tour of the school's laboratories and research centers. The fields in which the two sides can deeply cooperate include renewable energy, robotics, construction...

In recent years, Polytech Nice Sophia has sent many students to UD - DUT for internships. The interns were highly satisfied with the quality and outcomes of their internships. Professor Alexandre CAMINADA proposed inviting DUT - UD to join the association of French engineering schools to exchange experiences and mutually support the training of technical staff in the digital era.

The two sides will implement diverse forms of cooperation, including the exchange of lecturers and researchers, student exchange, co-supervision of doctoral candidates, and the launch of joint master's programs. Both sides will carry out credit recognition and offer dual degrees to students/trainees participating in the cooperation programs.

Based on this strategic cooperation agreement, the member universities of UD will sign specific cooperation agreements with UCA’s member institutions. Initially, the DNIIT Institute will sign an agreement for a Master's program in Digital Tourism in Da Nang, and coordinate with the local authorities to organize alternating tourism conferences in Da Nang and Nice. University of Economics (DUE) - UD will sign a cooperation agreement on the exchange of undergraduate students. University of Science and Technology (DUT) - UD will sign a cooperation agreement with UCA’s Engineering School  to exchange fourth-year students and jointly issue degrees.

A cooperation document between University of Science and Education (UED) - UD and UCA’s School of Education is currently under discussion to exchange experiences and training programs for lecturers in the era of artificial intelligence.

During the business trip, the delegation visited laboratories and engaged in in-depth exchanges with UCA’s research groups in the fields of digital technology and antennae, as well as tourism and services, and discussed the possibility of expanding future cooperation.

UCA is one of the nine excellence universities in France recognized under the IDEX Program (Initiatives d'Excellence). This is the most prestigious funding program of the French government aimed at promoting excellence in research and higher education.

UCA is a regional university officially established in 2019, marking the merger of leading educational and research institutions in the Côte d'Azur region (Communauté d'Universités et d'Établissements - ComUE), comprising 13 members including universities, national research institutes, and affiliated organizations. UCA stands out with numerous areas of research excellence, particularly in advanced sciences: Chemistry and Materials, Space, Environment, Risks and Resilience, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Systems, Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Sustainable Development, and Interdisciplinary Education.

UCA has established a partnership with UD since 2010. DNIIT-UD jointly founded by the two universities, serves as a bridge between them and as the focal point for organizing cooperative programs. With UCA's support, DNIIT-UD’s research groups have developed the LoRA system in Danang, contributing to the development of the smart city.

UD Media