On July 6, 2026, Professor Paul Romer, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, visited the University of Danang (UD) and engaged in academic exchanges with faculty and students of the University of Danang - University of Economics (UD-DUE) and the University of Danang - University of Science and Technology (UD-DUT).

Professor Paul Romer is a distinguished American economist and former Chief Economist of the World Bank. During his visit, he shared his research insights and professional experience with faculty and students of UD-DUE, focusing on key topics including economics, new knowledge driven by artificial intelligence (AI), enhancing national competitiveness, economic spatial planning, and urban development as sustainable growth drivers in line with global trends and Vietnam’s development priorities.

According to Professor Romer, the modern economy should be understood primarily as an economy of "ideas" rather than "objects." An idea-based economy increasingly favors large-scale enterprises, contributing to the emergence of "winner-take-all" markets. At the same time, the rapid expansion of digital platforms has led to greater market concentration and poses challenges to maintaining healthy competition.

Addressing emerging trends in science and technology, Professor Romer emphasized that computer code is gradually becoming a new language of science alongside written text and mathematics. He noted that the application of AI in scientific research and education will continue to shape future development and stressed the importance of proactively researching, developing, and applying open AI technologies, analogous to openly accessible scientific knowledge and mathematical theorems, enabling countries and academic communities worldwide to access, share, and benefit from these advances.

Professor Romer also proposed developing new standards for scientific communication that integrate written text, mathematical expressions, and computer code to facilitate more effective knowledge sharing across the global academic community. He observed that Vietnam's strategic shift toward technology and innovation is well aligned with its next stage of development, allowing the country to build upon its achievements in manufacturing, foreign direct investment attraction, and its young and dynamic workforce.

On the same day, UD-DUT welcomed Professor Paul M. Romer and introduced the University's history and development, academic programs, institutional scale, research and innovation activities, and international cooperation initiatives.

Representatives of the University's leadership also presented UD-DUT's development strategy, highlighting its commitment to advancing science and technology, educating highly qualified human resources, strengthening institutional governance, and accelerating digital transformation to meet Vietnam's development needs and the demands of international integration.

During his visit, Professor Romer toured several laboratories and research facilities at UD-DUT, including the Mechatronics Laboratory, the KUKA Robot Center, and other research spaces, where he learned about the University's esearch infrastructure, technological equipment, and the teaching, learning, and practical training environment for faculty and students.

UD Media