AIR4Health
Vietnam–Scotland Network on Human Adaptive Cyber-Physical Systems (Industry 5.0) – Stage 1: Building Human-Centric Innovation Pathways
Stage 1 · Project CompleteFunded by British CouncilVietnamese MoST SupportedIndustry 5.0 · HACPS
Vietnam–Scotland Network on Human Adaptive Cyber-Physical Systems (Industry 5.0)
Stage 1: Building Human-Centric Innovation Pathways — Led by Edinburgh Napier University (UK) with Duy Tan University (Vietnam), this British Council-funded project established the Vietnam–Scotland Network on Human Adaptive Cyber-Physical Systems, connecting universities, industry, and policymakers to co-design a three-year roadmap and pilot collaborative activities. By fostering human-centric, adaptive technologies across Digital Health & AI, Advanced Manufacturing, and Smart Transportation, it aims to accelerate innovation, build research capacity, and lay the foundation for a future UK–Vietnam Centre of Excellence in Industry 5.0.
Funding Support
British Council & MoST Vietnam
The project was funded by the British Council (£10,000) as part of the iTechPath UK–Vietnam Partnership. The January 2026 HACPS workshop at Duy Tan University was also supported by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).
HACPS Workshop, Duy Tan University (8–9 January 2026)
The hybrid workshop “Human Adaptive Cyber-Physical Systems (HACPS): Advancing Smart and Sustainable Technologies” was co-organised by Duy Tan University (DTU) and Edinburgh Napier University, and held in person and online. It brought together scientists, experts, and representatives from six universities in the UK and Vietnam, with support from the British Council and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science & Technology. Its themes align with Vietnam’s development orientation for higher education and the UK’s innovation strategy in digital technologies and sustainable development, opening opportunities for research collaboration, human resource development, and curriculum innovation towards human-centred technology in the context of Industry 5.0 (DTU event report ↗).
“International cooperation and global integration have always been strategic pillars in DTU’s development orientation. We are proud to co-organize this HACPS workshop and promote sustainable cooperation between the UK and Vietnam in emerging, human-centered technologies. The workshop has three main objectives: strengthening and formalizing the cooperation framework among the partners; developing a joint cooperation roadmap for 2026–2028; and together preparing phase-2 cooperation proposals under the iTechPath program.”
Three Strategic Areas
Over two days, in-depth discussion sessions focused on three strategic areas:
01. Digital Health & AI
Applying HACPS and AI to make the healthcare systems of Vietnam and the UK more efficient. Dr Nguyen Van Tuan (DTU College of Medicine & Pharmacy) opened the session with research on AI in medical imaging diagnosis, telemedicine, and clinical decision support, reducing the healthcare access gap between urban and rural areas. Presentations also addressed legal frameworks, ethics, data security, and AI infrastructure investment in healthcare.
02. Advanced Manufacturing
The future of manufacturing in the context of Industry 5.0, with a keynote by Prof. Anand Nayyar (DTU). Presentations highlighted the role of intelligent systems, robots, and AI in enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and the human factor in modern manufacturing.
03. AI & Smart Transportation
Applying adaptive AI, cyber-physical systems, and smart transportation solutions for safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation systems, and opening opportunities for pilot projects within the HACPS network.
Objectives & Outcomes
The workshop’s three objectives were taken forward in a Strategic Planning Session on the sustainable development of a UK–Vietnam HACPS Network, alongside one key academic output.
Objective 01 · Partnership
Strengthen & Formalise the Cooperation Framework
Strengthening and formalising the cooperation framework among the UK and Vietnamese partners, laying the foundation for a future UK–Vietnam Centre of Excellence in Industry 5.0.
Objective 02 · Roadmap 2026–2028
HACPS Cooperation Roadmap & Joint Position Paper
The Strategic Planning Session, co-chaired by Prof. Hongnian Yu (Edinburgh Napier University) and Dr Hong Soon-goo (DTU), worked to develop the HACPS Cooperation Roadmap for 2026–2028 and to agree the UK–Vietnam Joint Position Paper.
Objective 03 · Phase 2
UK–Vietnam iTechPath Phase-2 Proposal
Jointly preparing a phase-2 cooperation proposal under the UK–Vietnam iTechPath programme.
Academic Output · Open Learning
HACPS Virtual Classroom
Recorded HACPS lectures are being developed into open online classes to support teaching, training, and capacity building for learners in Vietnam, the UK, and international partners.
Event Gallery
Lead Universities
The network is led by two universities, with representatives from six universities across the UK and Vietnam taking part in the January 2026 workshop.
🇬🇧 Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh, Scotland · UK lead and workshop co-organiser
🇻🇳 Duy Tan University
Da Nang, Vietnam · Workshop co-organiser and host
Key People
Prof. Hongnian Yu
UK Principal Investigator
Professor of Computing, School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment; co-chair of the Strategic Planning Session
Edinburgh Napier University, UK
Dr Hong Soon-goo
Strategic Planning Co-Chair
Co-chaired the session on the 2026–2028 Roadmap and Joint Position Paper
Duy Tan University, Vietnam
Prof. Dr Lim Sang-taek
Vice Provost
Addressed the workshop on behalf of the host institution
Duy Tan University, Vietnam
Dr Nguyen Van Tuan
Session 1: Digital Health & AI
Opened the session with research on AI in medical imaging, telemedicine & clinical decision support
College of Medicine & Pharmacy, DTU
Prof. Anand Nayyar
Session 2 Keynote: Advanced Manufacturing
Vice Chairman for Research & Director of the IoT & Intelligent Systems Laboratory
Duy Tan University, Vietnam