On the afternoon of September 12, 2025, at Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, a conference was held to review the activities of the Digital Science and Technology Institute (eSTI) for the academic year 2024–2025. The event aimed to evaluate, draw lessons learned, and plan for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Overview of the conference

Attending the conference were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap – Rector of the University – along with the leadership and all researchers of the eSTI.

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector of VKU, is delivering remarks

In his remarks, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap emphasized: “Although newly established at the end of 2022, after three years of operation, eSTI has affirmed its role as a young, dynamic, and creative research unit. In the context of strong developments in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the Institute must continue to promote its academic spirit, produce high-quality research products, and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and the enhancement of VKU’s reputation in both the domestic and international scientific communities.”

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nhat Minh – Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation – presents the 2024–2025 annual report of the eSTI

In the academic year 2024–2025, eSTI marked several outstanding achievements. It actively contributed to prestigious international scientific conferences such as CITA, SeMI 2024, DeFI 2025, and CSoNET 2025. The Institute implemented various research projects at different levels and published numerous reputable international papers. It also regularly organized specialized seminars for in-depth research, greatly contributing to the university’s scientific research activities. In addition, hundreds of students were incubated and nurtured in scientific research and entrepreneurship, enabling them to participate in major academic competitions. These efforts helped to spread a spirit of innovation throughout the university.

A highlight of the past year was the outstanding achievements of students, who garnered numerous prestigious awards, including: reaching the World Semifinals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2025; winning Second and Third Prizes at the National Student Startup Competition; becoming Champion of the Hackathon 2025; ranking among the Top 11 out of 63 and receiving a Consolation Prize at the ASEAN Students with Information Security 2024 competition; along with many other notable awards in competitions such as IC Design, the Informatics Olympiad, the Student Scientific Research Award by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Euréka Award, and various startup and innovation contests.

As the conference concluded, the eSTI collectively agreed on its goals for the 2025–2026 academic year: to restructure its operational model in alignment with international standards; to further promote scientific research with a focus on high-quality international publications; to develop applied research products and projects; to drive technology transfer activities that align with the practical needs of society and businesses; to expand international cooperation; and to foster a vibrant student culture of research, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

With three years of establishment and development, the eSTI has proven its role as a knowledge incubator for VKU’s researchers and students, significantly contributing to affirming the University’s brand within the national research and innovation ecosystem.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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