On 1 June, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) partnered with Synopsys to host the opening ceremony of the Intensive Training Program 2026 (ITP2026), welcoming 30 outstanding students selected from various universities across the country to participate in the 13-week training course.

Against the backdrop of the semiconductor industry becoming a strategic priority for government development, the demand for high-quality human resources in IC design continues to escalate. ITP2026 has been organised to bridge the gap between higher education and practical corporate requirements, whilst enabling students to engage with an industry-standard working environment during their academic studies.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, President of HCMUS, remarked that IC design currently receives extraordinary interest from both the government and society due to the expanding need for skilled professionals. According to the President, to match the rapid pace of industry growth, short-term intensive training programmes such as ITP2026 serve as an urgent solution, contributing to the supply of high-quality personnel for the community.

Over five cohorts, the Intensive Training Program has attracted more than 250 students. Programme statistics reveal that over 90% of former participants secured employment at semiconductor firms within three months of course completion. These figures demonstrate the growing enthusiasm among students for IC design, whilst reflecting the efficacy of a training model built upon a robust partnership between academia and industry.

The year 2026 marks a distinctive milestone as HCMUS assumes the role of primary host for the first time, in collaboration with Synopsys. This partnership fosters a practice-oriented learning environment, allowing students early access to the technologies, tools, and workflows currently utilised within the global semiconductor sector.

Throughout the 13 weeks of training, participants will receive guidance from HCMUS faculty members who hold the Synopsys Train The Trainer certification, alongside corporate experts and mentors. The curriculum focuses on extensive practical application, featuring a comprehensive system of laboratory sessions, professional documentation, and modern IC design tools.

Notably, students will have the opportunity to experience the entire IC design workflow from the Synthesis stage through to Signoff in accordance with industry standards. Through this process, undergraduates not only reinforce theoretical knowledge but also gain a profound understanding of real-world product development, progressively cultivating the technical mindset and capabilities required by employers.

Entering the sixth cohort, the Intensive Training Program continues to prove an effective bridge connecting academia, industry, and the student community passionate about IC design. Beyond providing access to advanced expertise and practical experience, the initiative contributes to the formation of a professional network, establishing a foundation for the younger generation of engineers to participate in the rapidly expanding semiconductor value chain in Ģ����ý.

Representatives from HCMUS and MIXEL Ģ����ý Co., Ltd. officially establish a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

On the morning of 22 May, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MIXEL Ģ����ý (a member of MIXEL Inc.), expanding the partnership between the University and industry in the fields of education, scientific research, and high-tech human resource development.

This agreement is implemented against a backdrop of increasing demand for high-quality personnel in science, technology, automation, and digital transformation. Strengthening the connection between academic institutions and businesses is regarded as a vital solution to enhance the practical nature of educational activities, while providing students with early exposure to technological environments and the requirements of the global labour market.

According to the terms of the agreement, both parties have agreed to bolster cooperation in training, scientific research, and technology transfer. Priority is placed on the fields of automation, digital transformation, and industrial solutions using emerging technologies. By sharing professional expertise and connecting resources, both parties expect to promote joint research activities related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and information technology. The integration of the University’s academic foundations with practical industrial experience aims to facilitate the creation of highly applicable technological solutions, whilst enabling lecturers and students to engage more closely with real-world problems within global production and technology sectors.

In addition to research activities, student support is a central pillar of this collaboration. Consequently, MIXEL Ģ����ý will coordinate with the University to implement vocational placements, internships, and support for students conducting scientific research projects within a corporate environment. Such initiatives offer students the opportunity to refine professional skills, adaptability, and practical career experience prior to graduation.

Both parties will further collaborate to organise career orientation workshops and specialist technical forums for staff and students, as well as launching scholarship programmes to encourage academic excellence, research, and innovation among the student body.

Beyond education and research, the agreement aims to establish a framework for connecting human resources between the University and the company. Through joint recruitment activities and communications, HCMUS will recommend students with professional competencies that align with the recruitment requirements of MIXEL Ģ����ý, thereby contributing to the formation of sustainable career development pathways for learners.

The signing of this partnership with MIXEL Ģ����ý continues to demonstrate the commitment of HCMUS to strengthening the ties between education, research, and the practical needs of industry. Furthermore, this move seeks to enhance the quality of human resources in key technological sectors, meeting the demands of the digital economy and the process of industrial transformation in the modern era.

 

On 24 April, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SGS Ģ����ý Limited, a member of the SGS Group, a global organisation specialising in testing, inspection and certification. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in education, research, and technology transfer through the sharing of professional expertise, infrastructure, and practical experience.

Under the partnership, SGS Ģ����ý will work with HCMUS to develop structured internship and placement opportunities for students across its professional and laboratory facilities. The company will also support students undertaking final-year projects and coordinate annual scholarship programmes for students with strong academic performance.

In the area of teaching and academic exchange, the two institutions will collaborate on seminars, scientific workshops, and specialist activities designed to introduce emerging technologies and current industry practices. The partnership also includes the exchange of experience in scientific management, laboratory operations, and technical standards.

In research and technology development, HCMUS and SGS Ģ����ý will jointly pursue applied research and technology transfer activities in eight focus areas: Chemical Engineering, Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Science, Materials Science, Cosmetics, Food Technology, and Metrology and Calibration. The collaboration is expected to support research activities connected to practical industry needs while encouraging wider engagement between academia and industry.

Representatives of both institutions expressed their expectation that the partnership would strengthen connections between university education and professional practice, broaden opportunities for students and researchers, and contribute to the development of applied science and technology in Ģ����ý.

On 13 April 2026, Ģ����ý National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM), in collaboration with VinUniversity, convened the scientific conference “Mathematics Teaching and Learning in the Technological Era” at the VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS).

In the opening address, Professor Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mai, Chancellor of VNUHCM, observed that as science and technology advance at an unprecedented pace to become the core engine of the knowledge economy, national competitiveness no longer rests solely upon natural resources or labour. Instead, such prowess depends increasingly upon the capacity for research, innovation, and the mastery of strategic technologies. Consequently, Mathematics serves not only as a foundational discipline but as the “invisible infrastructure” underpinning the entirety of modern technological systems.

However, the Chancellor noted a significant disparity between potential and practice. Whilst VNUHCM boasts numerous gifted students and a cohort of high-calibre mathematicians, the integration of Mathematics into technological fields and practical applications within curricula remains limited. International trends demonstrate that modern mathematical programmes are shifting decisively towards enhancing modelling and computational thinking, increasing interdisciplinarity, and improving the transfer of knowledge to real-world contexts to resolve societal challenges.

Reflecting on these realities, Professor Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mai posed three orienting questions: the purpose of studying Mathematics, the methods by which Mathematics becomes a catalyst for growth across sectors, and the necessary reforms in curricula and pedagogy to anticipate global trends.

Accordingly, the primary challenge lies not in altering individual modules or isolated content, but in “redesigning the mathematical pathway” holistically. This journey, spanning from secondary education to postgraduate levels, must ensure that learners gradually develop core competencies such as mathematical modelling, probability and statistics, optimisation, algorithms, scientific computing, data analysis, and the ability to work across disciplines.

The conference featured contributions from distinguished scholars both locally and abroad, including Professor Vũ Hà Văn (University of Hong Kong, Scientific Director of VinIF), Professor Nguyễn Hoài Minh (Sorbonne University, France), Professor Nguyễn Hùng Minh Tân (National University of Singapore), alongside Professor Đặng Đức Trọng, Associate Professor Trần Minh Triết, and Dr Võ Đức Cẩm Hải (HCMUS).

The presentations clarified the expanding role of Mathematics in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and semiconductor technology. The discussions further highlighted a fundamental shift in the nature of Mathematics—evolving from a basic science into the “design language of technology” and the “knowledge infrastructure of innovation”.

Regarding pedagogical methods, Professor Đặng Đức Trọng from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at HCMUS advocated for a shift in the student’s role from passive recipient to active explorer. Lecturers ought to create learning environments that compel students to think critically, prove theorems independently, and engage with open-ended problems, thereby fostering genuine research capabilities.

In the presentation “Teaching Mathematics in the Technological Era”, Professor Vũ Hà Văn emphasised that Mathematics provides the bedrock for numerous scientific and technological branches and remains a pivotal factor in training high-quality human resources. Nevertheless, evidence suggests many curricula remain theory-heavy and slow to update, often forcing students to “re-learn” concepts when entering high-tech industries. “Innovating the way Mathematics is taught and learned is no longer merely an educational concern but has become a matter of national importance,” Professor Vũ Hà Văn remarked.

Sharing this perspective, Professor Nguyễn Hoài Minh from Sorbonne University noted that Artificial Intelligence is profoundly impacting both mathematical research and instruction, offering possibilities for personalised learning and more efficient knowledge acquisition. Consequently, curricula should be adjusted to strengthen core modules such as probability, statistics, linear algebra, and optimisation, while introducing numerical analysis earlier and streamlining less integrated modules. Assessment methods and teaching styles must also evolve to suit this technological context.

From an applied standpoint, Associate Professor Trần Minh Triết, Vice President of HCMUS, discussed the relationship between Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, tracing the path from logical foundations to global innovation. The Vice President also highlighted the outstanding achievements of HCMUS students and proposed the increased use of practical, relatable scenarios in teaching to enhance the application of Mathematics in solving real-world problems.

The consensus among participants was that for Mathematics to truly drive development, synchronised innovation is required across curricula, teaching methods, and collaboration between universities, enterprises, and research institutions. Connecting theory with application and aligning training with societal needs are seen as the vital elements for enhancing the quality of the workforce.

 

Participants exchanging ideas and contributing to the discussion session.

The conference is expected to yield specific, actionable proposals to propel the reform of Mathematics education in Ģ����ý, whilst developing a high-quality mathematical workforce capable of meeting the demands of strategic technology sectors amidst the current digital transformation.