On the morning of April 10, 2025, Vietnam – Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME). This marks an important milestone in strengthening international cooperation, bridging the gap between academic training and real-world practice, and creating broader career opportunities for students.

Overview of the signing ceremony

The signing ceremony was honored by the presence of representatives from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of Korea (MSS), including Ms. Lee Min Suk – Director of Youth Policy Department, Ms. Ryu Ji Hye – Deputy Director, and Ms. Lim Hye Jin – Assistant. From KOSME, attendees included Mr. Lim Ji Hyeon – Director of the K-Unicorn Startup Academy, Mr. Jeong Doyoung – Senior Team Leader, and Mr. Hwang Youngwoong – Academy Manager. Representing Korean enterprises were Mr. Kwon Oh Chul – Administrative Director of LikeLion, and Mr. Jeong Seung Il – Director of JobKorea. On VKU’s side, there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU, along with Vice Rectors Dr. Tran The Son and Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho, as well as leaders from various departments, faculties, and centers of the university.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU, delivering his speech at the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU – expressed his pleasure and pride as VKU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KOSME, a leading and highly reputable organization in Korea that supports SMEs and startup development. He emphasized that this is not only an important milestone in VKU’s journey of international integration, but also a valuable opportunity for VKU students to access a global, real-world learning environment — particularly the Korean business ecosystem, one of the world’s leading technology hubs. With a strong focus on enterprise-linked training, internationalization, and a student-centered approach, VKU is steadily affirming its position as a top-tier public university in Vietnam specializing in Information Technology, Communications, and the Digital Economy. The university is a pioneer in training high-demand fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, and Semiconductor Design. Currently, VKU has nearly 7,000 students, with a target of reaching 8,000 to 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students by 2025. The academic staff includes nearly 300 faculty members, among them nearly 70 PhDs and Assoc.Prof.PhDs — accounting for approximately 41%. VKU has established a strong network of over 200 strategic partners, including domestic and international organizations and enterprises, actively participating in training, recruitment, sponsorship, and joint educational programs. These include bilingual global programs such as English–Vietnamese, Japanese–Vietnamese, and Korean–Vietnamese programs, as well as numerous academic and cultural exchange programs, real-world projects, internships, and industry collaborations. The university has also been enhancing foreign-language instruction, with 100% of student theses written and presented in English. The rector expressed hope that the partnership between VKU and KOSME will serve as a solid bridge for students to access high-quality job opportunities, while laying the foundation for sustainable collaboration between the two sides in the digital era.

Ms. Lee Min Suk – Director of the Youth Policy Department, speaking on behalf of MSS

On behalf of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of Korea (MSS), Ms. Lee Min Suk – Director of the Youth Policy Department – expressed her delight in signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam – Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), one of the leading technology training institutions in Vietnam. She remarked that VKU stands out not only for its high-quality training, excellent faculty, and modern learning environment, but also for its strong orientation toward enterprise collaboration and global integration. As the agency responsible for supporting Korean SMEs and startups, MSS and KOSME are always striving to connect their business networks with reputable educational institutions around the world. “We firmly believe that this partnership will bring practical and sustainable opportunities for Vietnamese students – the potential drivers of the digital economy in the future – while also expanding the pool of high-quality human resources available to Korean enterprises,” said Ms. Lee. She affirmed that MSS and KOSME are committed to accompanying VKU in its journey to nurture young talents and promote effective employment connections between Vietnam and Korea.

MoU Signing Ceremony between VKU and KOSME

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the aim of promoting economic growth between Vietnam and South Korea through the training of high-quality human resources in information technology, particularly in the field of software development. It also seeks to support Vietnamese students in accessing job opportunities at Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to the MoU, VKU and KOSME will jointly organize a variety of activities such as specialized seminars, mentoring programs, job fairs, and employment matching initiatives — all designed to help IT students develop comprehensive skills for their future careers.

In the near future, VKU and KOSME will collaborate to implement specific activities, including connecting VKU students with internship programs at Korean companies, organizing job fairs, providing mentoring programs by Korean experts, and offering advanced digital skills training.

The signing ceremony not only marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the two parties but also represents a significant milestone in VKU’s journey towards internationalizing higher education. It reaffirms the university’s commitment to enterprise-linked training, integration, practical experience, and sustainable development.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication VKU

KOSME – Korea SMEs and Startups Agency is an organization under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of South Korea, with a mission to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups globally. In Vietnam, KOSME has been actively involved in numerous initiatives to strengthen cooperation, support Korean businesses, and develop local human resources.

Currently, KOSME has a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City and has established the K-Startup Center in Hanoi – a hub to support collaboration, technology transfer, and market expansion between Korean and Vietnamese startups. KOSME has also signed an agreement with SMEDEC 1 to promote trade in high-tech sectors such as electric vehicles. Additionally, the organization regularly collaborates with Vietnamese partners to organize training programs for managers, aimed at enhancing business management capabilities based on the Korean model.

Notably, KOSME plays a crucial role in connecting high-quality human resources through large-scale job fairs. A prime example is the Korea Job Fair 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City, where over 1,500 job opportunities from 31 Korean companies were offered, with a preference for students who can speak Korean. Additionally, events like the K-Unicorn Global Conference also integrate job fair activities, enhancing career opportunities for both Vietnamese students and startups.

These activities demonstrate that KOSME not only supports businesses but also serves as an effective bridge in economic and educational cooperation between Vietnam and Korea, particularly in the context of digital transformation and globalization.

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