Shaping the Future: Nurturing Pioneer Interdisciplinary Creators in the Field of Technology and Art
Keywords: Applied ArtTech Education, ArtTech, Sustainable Development, ATF24
As part of the ArtTech Fusion 2024 (ATF24) series at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), the keynote session “Design Futures: Fostering Transdisciplinary Innovators in Art and Technology” focused on emerging creative trends, encouraging interdisciplinary connections to help future generations of creators preserve and develop cultural heritage sustainably in the digital age.
The keynote session, “Design Futures: Fostering Transdisciplinary Innovators in Art and Technology” featured a speaker, Professor Zhiyong Fu from Tsinghua University, China. He is a leading expert in interactive design and innovation. Focusing on the intersection of art and technology, Professor Fu introduced advanced technology applications in the preservation of Chinese cultural heritage and discussed ways to promote the development of creators within this field.
The full view of the keynote session at UEH Hall B1.302.
Nurturing Interdisciplinary Creators in the Field of ArtTech (Art Technology)
During the keynote session, Professor Zhiyong Fu shared the importance of developing interdisciplinary talent at the intersection of art and technology, especially in the context of the rapid development of technology and globalization. According to the Professor, in order to address the complex challenges of the future, the education system needs an interdisciplinary approach that combines elements of both art and technology to encourage creative thinking. The key points of his presentation focused on three main areas:
(1) Building a Multidisciplinary, Sustainable ArtTech Education System:
Professor Fu emphasized the importance of establishing a comprehensive and well-rounded educational system that provides a solid foundation for students to access and apply knowledge and skills in both the fields of art and technology. The main goal is to create an environment that allows students to develop open-mindedness and innovative creativity, stimulating their ability to generate creative ideas in practical projects. This requires appropriate investment in infrastructure as well as a highly qualified faculty capable of inspiring and guiding students.
(2) Integrating “Maker” practices into the training program: In addition to theoretical knowledge, incorporating practical activities such as Hackathons and creative competitions will provide students with real-world experiences, enhancing their ability to apply and innovate in a multidisciplinary environment. These platforms not only allow students to showcase their talents but also offer opportunities to engage with real-world issues, develop critical thinking, and improve teamwork skills. By participating in such practical activities, students will experience a work environment with challenges and pressures similar to those in real life. This will help them enhance their ability to face and solve problems in a flexible and creative manner. It is also an opportunity for students to develop essential skills such as time management, teamwork, and effective communication—skills necessary for success in an interdisciplinary work environment.
(3) Combining research on future trends and design thinking to promote interdisciplinary and sustainable directions: The professor emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to explore future trends and apply design thinking in addressing societal issues. This approach will help students think strategically, envision the future clearly, and creatively apply design thinking to propose innovative solutions. The integration of knowledge about future trends and design capabilities will play a key role in guiding students towards an interdisciplinary professional career.
Professor Zhiyong Fu shares insights on the development direction of education in the ArtTech field.
Projects like Qingming Shanghe Tu 3.0 and Digital Dunhuang.
In addition, digital creative platforms such as Whale Exploration by Ant Group allow users to experience and own digital assets, highlighting the role of digital technology in the development and preservation of culture. Such digital platforms have opened up new opportunities for spreading and sharing culture with a global community, while also creating new forms of cultural ownership and experience that align with current digitalization trends.
Digital creative platforms like Whale Exploration.
In addition, the professor introduced the project “Bali Travel Guide 2050” – a unique creative work that imagines the future of tourism in Bali (Indonesia) in 2050. This project presents a pioneering vision of how technology can impact future travel experiences. By combining virtual and real spaces, the work allows users to explore Bali through innovative elements such as meta-universe cultural tourism and virtual tour guides, creating a unique and limitless experience. Bold ideas like “space restaurants,” “trees from outer space,” and “electronic pets” demonstrate the infinite potential of using technology to reimagine and expand cultural spaces in unprecedented ways.
The “Bali Travel Guide 2050” project applies the metaverse to the tourism industry
Through these examples, Professor Zhiyong Fu has highlighted the crucial role of digital technology and future design in expanding creative possibilities, thereby creating sustainable value for society and promoting the development of culture and the arts. New technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms are not just tools but also creative mediums that help push the boundaries of human imagination. They allow us to preserve and spread cultural heritage more effectively, while also creating novel, unique, and engaging experiences for audiences around the world.
The speakers and participants took a commemorative photo at the end of the event.
The insights shared by Professor Zhiyong Fu are highly valuable and practical in developing a sustainable interdisciplinary education system. The vivid real-life examples of the undeniable role of technology in creative endeavors and cultural preservation have laid a solid foundation for training the future generation. The harmonious integration of art and technology in education not only allows students to access diverse knowledge but also expands their practical application abilities, preparing them to face global challenges in the future.
To develop a high-quality workforce that meets the needs of modern society, a creative and flexible educational pathway is necessary. Building interdisciplinary programs that integrate both art and technology will create a powerful internal force, helping students develop innovative thinking and an ongoing creative spirit. These are essential qualities for mastering new technologies and applying them flexibly to solve complex social issues.
Furthermore, when students are exposed to real-world learning environments such as creative projects, Hackathon competitions, and research on future trends, they have the opportunity to hone important soft skills like critical thinking, effective teamwork, and strategic thinking. These key skills are crucial for success in today’s challenging interdisciplinary work environments.
By absorbing the essence from both art and technology fields, students can develop creative abilities, critical thinking, and leadership skills, enabling them to become talented interdisciplinary experts, ready to lead the technological revolution in the future. This is not only a training pathway but also a guiding principle to shape strong leaders capable of inspiring and creating breakthroughs in solving complex global challenges.
ATF24 – A platform that contributes to shaping the future for the creative generation toward sustainability As part of the development trend in the ArtTech field, the annual international event ArtTech Fusion (ATF) is hosted by ArtTech Hub (ATH), in collaboration with the UEH School of Technology and Design (CTD), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), and both domestic and international partners, with different themes each year. In 2024, the third edition of ArtTech Fusion was held under the theme “New ArtTech for Future Generations” to inspire and enhance the creative thinking and innovative actions of the future generation, contributing to the building of a sustainable society. Throughout the ATF24 journey over 3 days (October 22-24, 2024), there were over 30 academic and practical activities, including 5 keynote speeches, 10 special sessions, 5 parallel research presentations, 5 workshops, 1 academic book chapter, 9 exhibitions, 1 heritage connection trip, and 1 tangible performance. |
Author: MSc. Dương Thị Thuỳ Trang; Nguyễn Thị Minh Hiền – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
This article is part of the series on research and applied knowledge dissemination from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research For The Community”. UEH kindly invites readers to look forward to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.
News, photos: Author, UEH Communications and Partnership Development Team
Voiceover: Thanh Kiều
