From May 25 to 29, 2026, Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), The University of Danang, organized a specialized course on Natural Computing for master’s students, featuring lectures by Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger (Germany) and Dr. Panchalee Sukjit (Thailand). The program attracted students from all three cohorts of VKU’s master’s programs, including the third cohort, which had officially enrolled just one week earlier and was attending its very first week of study at VKU.

Overview of the class

Having the opportunity to engage with international experts from the very beginning of the program provided newly enrolled students with valuable academic experiences. It also created an excellent platform for students from different cohorts to interact, exchange knowledge, and share their learning and research experiences in a dynamic and internationally oriented academic environment.

Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger presenting on Natural Computing

Throughout the five-day course, students were guided on an intellectual journey from natural phenomena to the foundations of modern artificial intelligence. Beginning with the fundamental concepts of Natural Computing, they explored how humans draw inspiration from the principles and mechanisms of nature to develop intelligent computational models and systems. Topics such as Cellular Automata, the Game of Life, distributed systems, and self-organization mechanisms provided valuable insights into how complex systems emerge and evolve.

In addition, the module on Swarm Intelligence introduced students to algorithms inspired by the collective behavior of ants, bees, and fireflies. Through these examples, they gained a deeper understanding of how complex optimization problems in computer science and artificial intelligence can be addressed using simple principles observed in nature. Topics such as multi-agent systems, self-organizing networks, grid structures, and network growth algorithms further broadened students’ perspectives on large-scale distributed systems and their potential applications across a wide range of fields.

Particularly, the sessions on Graph Theory, the Small-World phenomenon, Scale-Free Networks, and Genetic Algorithms enabled students to gain deeper insights into the mathematical and scientific foundations underlying many modern technologies. Real-world examples and simulation-based exercises were integrated throughout the course, helping bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications in research and technological innovation.

The course concluded with advanced topics in neuroscience and Brain-inspired Computing. By exploring the mechanisms through which the human brain learns, stores memories, and processes information, students were introduced to emerging research areas in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—one of the most prominent and rapidly evolving areas of interest within the global scientific community.

Beyond delivering up-to-date academic knowledge, Prof. Dr. Herwig Unger left a lasting impression on students through his approachable, engaging, and highly interactive teaching style. Through classroom discussions, simulations, and hands-on activities, students were encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and actively explore emerging research topics. The course also provided valuable opportunities for students to become familiar with international research methodologies, broaden their academic perspectives, and further cultivate their passion for scientific research.

Orientation session for the third cohort of VKU’s master’s programs

The specialized course, delivered by international experts, further reaffirmed VKU’s commitment to the internationalization of postgraduate education. It also reflected the University’s commitment to fostering a modern academic environment that connects global knowledge, promotes academic excellence, and develops high-quality human resources in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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