Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted a collaborative STEM education program on July 29, 2025, introducing over 130 Vietnamese high school students to hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning. The “Innovators of Tomorrow: Discover STEM Minds in Ho Chi Minh City” course aimed to promote international educational exchange and inspire young learners in Vietnam.
STEM Education Program Connects Vietnamese Students with Malaysian University Partnership
Key Details
The joint program welcomed delegates from UTM, including Dr. Nadirah binti Darus from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Mr. Mohd Iskandar bin Ishak from the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic and International, Mr. Ikhwan Hakim bin Abd Samat from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Ms. Filzah Hazirah Jaffar from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, and 27 students from UTM’s KDSE program.
Representing HCMUTE were Mr. Pham Bach Duong, Head of the International Relations Office, Mr. Nguyen Thoi, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office, and Dr. Tran Quang Tri, Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Training. The science education event attracted over 130 teachers and students from three high schools: Nguyen Huu Huan High School, Thu Duc High School, and Victory International Education, along with children of HCMUTE faculty and staff.
Students participated in modules covering friction and pressure in the morning, followed by bridge-building and robotics activities in the afternoon. The hands-on approach allowed participants to explore fundamental theoretical knowledge through interactive and visually engaging experiments, introducing them to concepts in electrical, electronic, mechanical engineering, and programming.
Quotes & Reactions
Mr. Pham Bach Duong emphasized the significance of the program as “an immersive international academic platform that enables Vietnamese students to broaden their horizons and cultivate a spirit of innovation from an early age,” according to the university announcement.
Dr. Nadirah binti Darus, representing UTM, “expressed her delight at collaborating with HCMUTE on such a meaningful initiative and affirmed the importance of STEM in shaping a new generation with critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a global mindset,” the university stated.
Background & Context
The collaborative initiative reflects HCMUTE’s commitment to cultivating interest in science and technology among young learners, particularly high school students. The university continues to develop innovative, practice-oriented educational programs that provide early exposure to key disciplines of the Industry 4.0 era.
The program activities required students to blend logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and teamwork while learning to collaborate, delegate tasks, and overcome challenges together to achieve common goals. These experiences aimed to ignite creative thinking and reinforce students’ potential to become future innovators through proper guidance and inspiration.
What’s Next
The program marked an important step toward further educational collaboration between HCMUTE and UTM, advancing sustainable development initiatives in the ASEAN region’s educational framework. Through this initiative, HCMUTE reaffirms its pioneering role in fostering international connections and promoting highly applicable educational initiatives toward a creative, globally integrated, and sustainable education system.
The university plans to continue seeking and developing innovative educational programs that prepare students to become tomorrow’s changemakers in science and technology fields.
