From July 22 to 24, 2025, Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, had the honor of welcoming Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger—a leading expert in Computer Science from the University of Hagen (Germany)—for an official visit, teaching sessions, and collaborative meetings at VKU. This meaningful occasion provided VKU faculty and students with valuable exposure to global technological trends while fostering practical and sustainable academic cooperation between the two institutions.

Seminar with graduate students, young lecturers, and teaching assistants

As part of his visit, Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger directly delivered lectures and shared his expertise through a series of in-depth academic seminars. Notably, he conducted a session on scientific research methodology for graduate students, young lecturers, and teaching assistants. The seminar focused on developing academic thinking, formulating research topics, writing and publishing in international journals—essential foundations for any aspiring researcher.

Seminar on The Future of Social Networking Systems with Active Participation from the VKU Academic Community

Following that, a series of seminars covering pioneering topics such as Brain-inspired Computing, GraphLearner, Natural Language Processing, and The Future of Social Networking Systems drew enthusiastic participation from the VKU academic community. These sessions not only provided faculty and students with updates on the latest technological trends but also sparked interdisciplinary research directions with strong potential for real-world application.

Seminar on Applied AI Research featuring topics on AI Agents

Notably, Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger, together with researchers from the eSTI Institute, participated in a seminar where VKU students presented their research on AI Agents. With an open and supportive spirit, the two experts actively listened, engaged in academic discussions, and provided in-depth feedback—helping students sharpen their research thinking, clarify the practical potential of their projects, and refine development directions.

This was not only a rare opportunity for students to interact directly with international scholars but also a powerful catalyst to ignite research passion among VKU’s younger generation.

Meeting between Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger and the University Leadership

In addition to academic activities, Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger held official meetings with the university’s leadership, including the Board of Rectors, the Chair of the University Council, and heads of departments and faculties. During these meetings, both sides engaged in discussions and reached consensus on various strategic collaboration initiatives in education and research.

A key highlight is the joint plan to develop the “Digital Professor” educational software, researched by the University of Hagen. This initiative includes an automated exercise system and an AI-integrated teaching platform. VKU will collaborate in translating the software into Vietnamese, conducting pilot implementations, and expanding its development—aiming for practical application at both universities.

In addition, the two universities have initially established a collaborative PhD training program, which includes co-supervision of doctoral candidates, joint conferences, co-publication of research, and research capacity building prior to VKU’s launch of its own independent PhD program. In the future, the goal is to develop a dual-degree doctoral program, affirming VKU’s research standing on the international academic map.

The second visit and teaching engagement of Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger at VKU not only affirms the university’s quality and international vision but also serves as a significant catalyst for advancing research, fostering innovation, and expanding global collaboration networks.

With a vision for sustainable development and a strong aspiration to reach the global stage, VKU is continuously shaping an open and modern academic environment—one that connects young Vietnamese minds with the international intellectual community, ready to contribute to the advancement of digital technology in the era of globalization.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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