The Centre for Environmental Intelligence (CEI) at VinUniversity and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at the University of California, Berkeley have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a strategic research partnership aimed at advancing sustainable urban development through technology, data science, and AI.

This landmark partnership brings together leading researchers from Vietnam and the United States to jointly address some of the most pressing challenges in urban resilience, environmental health, and smart city design. This partnership will focus on three key collaborative areas:

• Urban and Environmental Systems: Co-develop high-fidelity digital twins for cities and infrastructure and pilot solutions in Hanoi and other Vietnamese urban centers.
• Air Quality and Transportation: Build low-cost air pollution monitoring networks, collaborate on sustainable transportation solutions including fleet electrification and smart mobility systems.
• AI for Smart Cities: Design AI architectures for smart city platforms with a focus on data governance and citizen-centered services; apply AI in urban planning, waste management, and disaster resilience.

Furthermore, the two centers also discuss plans to co-advise students and exchange programs for PhD candidates. Prof. Alexandre Bayen expressed his excitement to initiate new collaborations aligning with CITRIS’ broader Climate Resilience Initiative. Together, CEI and CITRIS aim to build sustainable, data-informed urban ecosystems that serve communities and drive long-term resilience in Vietnam and beyond.