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.

On 22 May 2026, a symposium themed ‘Patent Protection and Commercialisation in Higher Education and Research Institutes’ was hosted at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS). The event aimed to raise awareness and catalyse the registration, management, and commercialisation of intellectual property derived from scientific, technological, and innovative activities within the higher education and research sectors.

The symposium was jointly organised by the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Center (IPTC) of Ģ����ý National University Ho Chi Minh City – University of Science, and the Center for Research, Training, Support and Advisory Services under the Intellectual Property Office of Ģ����ý (Ministry of Science and Technology). The event attracted a large audience of lecturers, scientists, intellectual property experts, and students interested in research, innovation, and technology transfer.

Addressing the symposium, speakers emphasised the escalating importance of intellectual property, noting that scientific research must transcend academic publication to foster intellectual assets with practical exploitation value. Such assets are vital for enhancing competitiveness, driving innovation, and developing a knowledge-based economy.

Session 1: Identifying Intellectual Property Formed from Research Activities: Practical Experiences

In the session titled ‘Identifying Intellectual Property Formed from Research Activities: Practical Experiences’, Dr Nghiêm Biên—Head of Innovation and Head of Intellectual Property at Bosch Global Software Technologies—offered a corporate perspective on identifying intellectual property within research and development (R&D) activities. The presentation highlighted that a single research output often encompasses multiple layers of intellectual property rights, such as patents, trade secrets, copyright, industrial designs, or trademarks; therefore, identifying the true nature of the output is essential to choosing the appropriate form of protection.

The speaker also introduced a structured patent identification process based on defining the technical problem, demonstrating technical efficacy, comparing the solution with existing technologies, and broadening the scope of protection. Case studies spanning autonomous vehicles, advanced materials, and industrial AI were presented to illustrate how research findings can be transformed into intellectual property with strong commercial potential.

Session 2: Patent Registration from Research Findings: Current Status and Solutions

During the session ‘Patent Registration from Research Findings: Current Status and Solutions’, Assoc. Prof. Từ Diệp Công Thành—Director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Center (IPTC), Ģ����ý National University Ho Chi Minh City—analysed the comprehensive landscape of patent registration within universities and research institutes. The report indicated that intellectual property is evolving into a ‘core infrastructure’ for competitiveness, rather than being treated merely as a ‘by-product’ of scientific research. The speaker further distinguished between academic papers and patents, stating that publications aim to disseminate knowledge, whereas patents focus on protecting technical solutions and securing exclusive rights.

Several bottlenecks were identified, including a shortage of professional mechanisms to recognise and draft patent applications, limited capacity for rigorous examination akin to the standards of patent examiners, and the absence of centralised intellectual property governance with clearly defined responsibilities and cost structures. To address these challenges, IPTC proposed a centralised intellectual property management model designed to professionalise patent creation and prosecution, whilst strengthening screening, evaluation, and investment mechanisms aligned with commercialisation potential.

Session 3: Exploitation and Commercialisation of Patents from Universities and Research Institutes

In the final session, ‘Exploitation and Commercialisation of Patents from Universities and Research Institutes’, Dr Nguyễn Hữu Cẩn—Acting Director General of the Ģ����ý Intellectual Property Research Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology—clarified the fundamental nature of commercialising intellectual assets. According to the speaker, commercialisation extends far beyond the mere buying and selling of technology; the process represents the transformation of knowledge into socio-economic value through the protection, governance, evaluation, development, and exploitation of intellectual property. The presentation also outlined prevalent commercialisation models, including technology licensing, spin-offs or startups, and joint research ventures with industry.

Furthermore, the speaker analysed various impediments to current intellectual property commercialisation, such as equating the sheer volume of patents with actual commercialisation capacity, a lack of comprehensive market assessments and legal risk evaluations, and institutional anomalies in benefit-sharing mechanisms between organisations and scientists.

Through insightful presentations and in-depth discussions, the symposium offered valuable practical perspectives on the trajectory from scientific research to the establishment of intellectual property rights and technology commercialisation. The event successfully fostered stronger connections between scientists, regulatory bodies, and industry partners, contributing to the development of a robust innovation ecosystem aimed at maximizing the value of intellectual property within higher education institutions and research bodies.

 

On 26 November, the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology (FMST) collaborated with the Bosch HcP Factory (Long Thanh City, Dong Nai Province) to host a specialist workshop. The event focused on professional exchange, training in report writing skills, and introducing employment opportunities for students of VNUHCM-University of Science. This initiative sought to strengthen the connection between the university and industry, enabling participants to access practical technology and understand the human resource requirements of modern industrial production.

The workshop welcomed Assoc. Prof. Trần Thị Thanh Vân—Dean of the FMST—and Assoc. Prof. Phạm Kim Ngọc—Head of the Nano and Thin Film Materials Department—along with other esteemed lecturers and researchers from the Faculty. Representing the Bosch HcP Factory were Mr. Trần Ngọc Hữu Đạt—Senior Quality Manager; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hoa—Senior Human Resources Partner; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Huyền Trang—Quality Manager; and various specialist assistants.

Bosch experts shared invaluable practical knowledge on mass production systems. The focus was on the crucial link between foundational materials science and the processes of manufacturing, inspection, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC). Visual analyses from the production line allowed students to clearly conceptualise the application of academic knowledge in an industrial environment, particularly in stages concerning error control, establishing standards, and process improvement.

Alongside the technical content, a dedicated session addressed modern management methodologies. The ‘Why – How – What’ thinking framework was introduced as a foundation for strategic approach, helping students define goals, implementation methods, and expected value. Notably, the essential skill of constructing a ‘One-page report’—a condensed, single-page summary—was systematically taught. This training emphasised summarising information, visualising data, and proposing action, all of which are vital to meeting the rapid decision-making demands within multinational corporations.

In the career orientation section, Bosch HcP representatives outlined the 70-20-10 human resource development model. In this model, 70% of competence develops from practical work experience, 20% from peer learning through colleagues, and 10% from specialist training. Furthermore, the values of Diversity – Equity – Inclusion (DEI) were highlighted as a critical component of the corporate culture, ensuring a working environment that remains open, respectful of differences, and encourages creativity.

The workshop drew to a close with an open exchange session between students and the enterprise, providing extensive information on internship opportunities, recruitment, and career development pathways at Bosch HcP. The programme is considered a practical bridge between academic training and the demands of the labour market, helping students from the FMST expand their understanding, enhance their skills, and prepare for integration into the modern industrial environment.