On the morning of January 6, 2026, the International Conference on Semiconductors (ICOS 2026) was officially inaugurated at Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Da Nang. Taking place from January 5 to 7, 2026 in Da Nang city, the conference was hosted by VKU in collaboration with the Institute of Semiconductor Engineers (ISE), Korea. This event marks the first time an in-depth international scientific conference on semiconductor integrated circuits has been held in the Central region of Vietnam, representing a significant milestone in the university’s academic integration and scientific research development.

Overview of the ICOS 2026 Opening Ceremony

The ICOS 2026 Opening Ceremony was attended by Mr. Ho Quang Buu – Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu – Director of the University of Da Nang and Honorary Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, Prof. Hanho Lee of Inha University, Republic of Korea – Co-Chair of the ICOS 2026 Organizing Committee, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU and Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee.

The event also welcomed representatives from Da Nang City departments and agencies, leaders of the University of Da Nang and its affiliated units, delegates from universities, research institutes, and high-tech enterprises, as well as a large number of professors and experts in semiconductor integrated circuits from the Republic of Korea, Germany, and many other countries. In total, nearly 300 domestic and international delegates participated in the ceremony.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU delivered a welcoming speech

In his welcoming remarks at ICOS 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of VKU emphasized that ICOS 2026 is envisioned as a prestigious annual academic forum fostering collaboration among scientists, experts, businesses, and training institutions in the field of semiconductor integrated circuits. Recognizing the foundational role of semiconductors in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and high-tech industries, the organization of ICOS 2026 at VKU carries both academic significance and practical value by promoting research – training – application integration and contributing to the development of a high-quality workforce for strategic sectors. This affirms that hosting ICOS 2026 reflects a consistent and long-term development orientation in education, research, and innovation in the semiconductor field, while demonstrating the university’s commitment to accompanying Da Nang City and the nation in implementing the national semiconductor industry development strategy.

Professor Hanho Lee, Co-Chair of the ICOS 2026 Organizing Committee, delivered the opening address at the ceremony

In his opening remarks, Professor Hanho Lee – Co-Chair of the ICOS 2026 Organizing Committee emphasized that ICOS 2026 is designed as a high-quality international academic forum for sharing cutting-edge research findings, discussing prominent technological trends, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry in the semiconductor, integrated circuit, and systems fields. In this spirit, it is hoped that ICOS 2026 will facilitate profound academic exchanges, promote meaningful collaboration, and provide valuable professional experiences for all delegates. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the leaders of Da Nang City, the University of Da Nang, VKU, and the Organizing Committee for their invaluable support and guidance.

Mr. Ho Quang Buu – Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee presented a commemorative plaque to the Organizing Committee of the Conference

The ICOS 2026 Conference received significant attention, high appreciation, and strong support from Da Nang City and Da Nang University, reflecting the strategic importance of semiconductor integrated circuits – one of the city’s strategic technology fields aligned with its orientation for scientific and technological development, innovation, and high-tech industry. At the Opening Session, Mr. Ho Quang Buu – Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee presented a commemorative plaque from the Da Nang City People’s Committee in recognition of the contributions of the Organizing Committee and Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology in pioneering the organization of an in-depth international scientific conference on semiconductors. Within the program framework, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Director of the University of Da Nang, awarded the University of Da Nang Commemorative Medal to the ICOS 2026 keynote speakers, recognizing the academic contributions of international scholars and experts and reaffirming the University of Da Nang’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and developing advanced science and technology fields.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu – Director of Da Nang University presented the Da Nang University Commemorative Medal to the keynote speakers

The conference featured 72 scientific presentations by nearly 300 authors and research groups, delivered through plenary sessions, parallel technical sessions, international thematic sessions, and tutorial and poster sessions. The presentations addressed major thematic areas such as semiconductor devices and materials, analog integrated circuits – RF – power and sensor technologies, digital integrated circuits and hardware for artificial intelligence, CAD – design and verification techniques, advanced packaging technologies – heterogeneous integration and interdisciplinary application systems. A highlight of ICOS 2026 was the three keynote presentations from leading global scholars in the field of integrated circuits and systems. Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo (KAIST, Republic of Korea) made a presentation on “K-AI Semiconductor’s Future”, focusing on the strategic role of AI integrated circuits in the artificial intelligence era and the development direction of next-generation semiconductor technology. Professor Harald Kuhn (Fraunhofer ENAS, Germany) presented the topic “Driving Innovation Through Hetero-Integration: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Directions”, sharing insights into current trends and challenges in hetero-integration and advanced packaging technologies – one of the key directions for the global semiconductor industry. In addition, Professor Myung Hoon Sunwoo (Ajou University, Republic of Korea) delivered a presentation entitled “Can Digital Healthcare help solve the Shortage of Medical Professionals?, offering an interdisciplinary perspective that highlighted the role of microchips and artificial intelligence in digital healthcare and community-oriented applications.

Hosting ICOS 2026 in Da Nang is particularly significant in the context of the city’s strategic orientation towards becoming a center for high technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource development for the Central region and the nation as a whole. The presence of city leaders, Da Nang University, and domestic and international partners at the Opening Ceremony demonstrated the strong collaboration among the government, training institutions, and the scientific community in developing a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.

The ICOS 2026 Opening Ceremony was held solemnly, officially marking the start of a significant international academic event, further reaffirming VKU’s pioneering role in training, research, and international cooperation in semiconductor technology, while spreading the image of a dynamic, innovative, and globally connected Da Nang on the international science and technology map.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

Some pictures:

256 Views