International Conference Horizons 2025 Co-hosted by VinUni and Nafosted: Leveraging Vietnam’s Advantage in Renewable Energy Materials

Hanoi, August 27, 2025 – From August 25–27, VinUniversity (VinUni), in collaboration with the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (Nafosted) and several domestic and international scientific organizations, successfully hosted the international conference Horizons 2025. The event brought together more than 200 scientists from 15 countries to discuss pioneering research trends in materials science, artificial intelligence, and automation.

A key highlight of the conference was the message delivered by Professor Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, Director of the Center for Polymers and Organic Solids at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She emphasized: “Materials are the key to all technologies. The future of sustainable energy depends on our ability to develop new materials that are low-cost, high-performance, and environmentally friendly. Vietnam should identify its unique advantages instead of relying entirely on global technology supply chains.”

According to Prof. Nguyen, rather than competing in capital-intensive industries such as quantum computing or semiconductors, Vietnam could strategically focus on renewable energy and biofuels—fields with significant potential for application and alignment with sustainable development goals.

Key Research Highlights at Horizons 2025

Over 80 scientific presentations showcased groundbreaking research results, including:

• Self-learning material discovery systems integrated with AI to accelerate the journey from ideas to applications.

• Perovskite solar cells achieving over 30% efficiency, and organic solar cells suitable for building integration.

• Next-generation fast-charging batteries, advanced energy storage solutions, and sustainable biomaterials.

• IoT-enabled smart greenhouses powered by solar energy, designed for tropical climates.

• Medical diagnostic technologies based on light-sensitive materials, with strong potential for deployment in Vietnamese hospitals.

These outcomes not only demonstrate scientific breakthroughs but also open opportunities for commercialization and practical adoption.

A Global Forum for Scientific Collaboration

Horizons 2025 was recognized as a pioneering event, bringing together materials science, artificial intelligence, and automation within a single forum. It attracted leading international experts, including:

• Prof. Natalie Stingelin (Georgia Institute of Technology) – specialist in sustainable polymers and energy materials.

• Prof. Y. Shirley Meng (University of Chicago) – world-renowned expert in battery and energy storage technologies.

• Prof. Liu Bin (National University of Singapore) – leader in novel drug development for cancer treatment.

• Prof. Anita Ho-Baillie (University of Sydney) – pioneer in next-generation solar cell technologies.

According to Prof. Duc-Hoa Nguyen, Vice Rector of the School of Materials Science at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Vice Chair of Nafosted’s Physics Scientific Council: “Horizons 2025 is an important platform that enables Vietnamese scientists to connect directly with the international research community and affirms Vietnam’s position on the global scientific map.”

Prof. Laurent El Ghaoui, Vice Rector for Research & Innovation at VinUni, added: “The conference not only demonstrates Vietnam’s capacity to organize and connect in the field of advanced materials science, but also serves as a catalyst to accelerate the translation of research into real-life applications.”

Positioning Vietnam as a Pioneer in Renewable Energy Materials

Horizons 2025 reaffirmed the opportunity for Vietnam to leverage its advantages and take a leading role in advancing renewable energy and biofuel technologies. This foundation will be crucial in driving research, innovation, and the nation’s long-term commitment to sustainable development.