On the morning of May 21, 2024, at the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), Da Nang University hosted a meeting and working session with a representative from MediaTek, the world’s largest mobile chip supplier. The purpose was to exchange ideas and understand the current situation of human resource training in the field of semiconductor chip design at the university, in order to meet the demand for market expansion in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Overview of working session

Attending the working session were Mr. Weining Shen, representing MediaTek Capital; Mr. Reo Huang from the Hopu-ARM Innovation Fund; representing Da Nang city was Mr. Le Hoang Phuc, Director of the DSAC Center; and representing VKU were Assoc. Prof. PhD. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector of VKU, PhD. Huynh Ngoc Tho, Vice Rector of VKU, along with leaders from various departments, faculties, and centers of VKU.

MediaTek was honored as the world’s biggest smartphone chipset vendor at the end of 2023, supplying over 1.5 billion devices annually. MediaTek is the market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile devices, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Their dedication to innovation has positioned MediaTek as a market driving force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies, automotive solutions and a broad range of advanced multimedia products such as smartphones, Chromebooks, smart TVs, smart home connectivity, IoT and Voice Assistant Devices (VAD).

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Huynh Cong Phap warmly welcomed the delegation.

During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Huynh Cong Phap warmly welcomed the representatives from MediaTek and the Hopu-ARM Innovation Fund to VKU. He shared that VKU always clearly defines its mission and responsibilities in terms of providing high-quality human resources, conducting scientific research, and transferring knowledge and technology. VKU aims to become a leading university nationwide and aspire to international recognition in both education and research fields; operating based on an advanced management model, striving to be a modern and intelligent university.

Since its establishment in 2020, VKU has aimed to enroll 1,500 students annually, with an average admission score of 24 points for 14 majors focusing on information technology, communication, and digital economy fields. Currently, VKU has nearly 6,000 students and aims to reach 8,000 to 9,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students by 2025. The faculties consist of over 250 members, including nearly 70 with doctoral degrees or associate professors, accounting for nearly 41% of the total. VKU places significant emphasis on networking and has built a network of over 200 strategic partners, including domestic and international organizations and businesses involved in training, employment, and sponsorship. VKU implements various collaborative training programs such as bilingual programs in English, Japanese, and Korean. Additionally, it conducts numerous international academic and cultural exchange activities, practical projects, internships, enterprise cooperation, and enhances language teaching. Importantly, all undergraduate theses are written and presented in English.

In the field of semiconductor chip design education, VKU is the first university in the Central region to announce the admission and training of Semiconductor IC design (Engineer). VKU plans to enroll approximately 500 students from 2024 to 2027, transferring 180 students from related majors to Semiconductor IC Design. It is projected that from 2028 onwards, students will graduate in the field of Semiconductor IC Design. Moreover, VKU will also offer Accelerator classes and collaborate with enterprises to enroll and train 60-100 students annually.

Furthermore, VKU actively implements international cooperation projects, including a $7.7 million ODA project from the South Korean government to develop AI and IC teams, training programs, international student exchange internships, and the construction of AI and IC laboratories with an investment of nearly 10 billion VND. VKU also invests in building Lab rooms with high-performance server systems for AI and IC with an estimated budget of nearly 150 billion VND.

Mr. Weining Shen, representing MediaTek, delivered his speech.

During the working session, Mr. Weining Shen, representing MediaTek, expressed his gratitude to the leadership of VKU for the warm welcome and impressive insights shared by VKU. He considered this meeting as one of the options for considering investment in Da Nang, Vietnam. Mr. Shen stated, “During this business trip to Vietnam, MediaTek will explore the human resources being trained in Vietnam, including in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Through this exploration, we will gather and evaluate the practical training programs in the field of semiconductor IC design offered by universities, as well as develop upcoming programs to enhance the connection between education and practical work, aiming to create a solid foundation for investment and development of high-quality human resources in Vietnam, with a focus on Da Nang.”

At MediaTek, technology is built to enhance and enrich lives, with the belief that technology must be great technology and therefore accessible to everyone.

At the end of the working session, the VKU leadership expressed hope to receive positive news from MediaTek’s investment decisions in Vietnam, including in Da Nang in the future. VKU looks forward to receiving standardized training programs and preparing human resources to embrace the new wave of opportunities from MediaTek. Immediately after the meeting, the delegation visited the research space at the eSTI institute and the laboratory facilities for artificial intelligence and semiconductor chip design at VKU.

Center for Learning Resources and Communication

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