On the afternoon of October 15, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Beijer Electronics (Sweden) and Air Vacuum Automation Vietnam Co., Ltd. (AVA Vietnam), received a sponsorship package of equipment and software worth more than VND 1.64 billion, and inaugurated the Beijer Electronics Lab at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The program also featured an industry seminar and a panel discussion on automation trends in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), giving students the opportunity to explore new technologies and engage with experts.
Representing HCM-UTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of the University; Dr. Huynh Phuoc Son, Head of the Enterprise Relations Office; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le My Ha, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, along with leaders of the Faculty and the Department of Control and Automation, as well as many students. Representing Beijer Electronics were Mr. Ali Rezaei, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing; Mr. Ping Huang, Senior Sales Director, Asia-Pacific; and Mr. Eric Yip, Senior Sales Manager, Asia-Pacific. Representing AVA Vietnam were Mr. Roland Lim, General Director, and Mr. Nguyen Duy Tuong, Sales Director.
Sponsorship Worth More Than VND 1.6 Billion
Through the MOU, HCM-UTE, Beijer Electronics and AVA Vietnam agreed to promote cooperation in training, technology transfer, practical equipment support and human resource development in the field of automation. Under the partnership, Beijer Electronics and AVA Vietnam sponsored hardware and software systems worth VND 1,647,659,244 (about USD 68,870). HCM-UTE has also set up a lab of about 40 square meters, equipped with 12 high-performance computers and network infrastructure, to install and operate the system.
Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh emphasized that the University’s guiding principle of practical learning, hands-on work and close ties with industry continues to shape its training and research as Industry 4.0 and AI advance. The sponsorship directly supports the SCADA Systems course for students in Control and Automation Engineering Technology, as well as related programs in electronics and renewable energy. Students can now learn on licensed, industry-standard software instead of trial versions, while carrying out course projects and applied research.
To operate the sponsored equipment effectively, five HCM-UTE lecturers and staff members completed WebIQ software training in May 2026, delivered directly by Beijer Electronics experts from Sweden. WebIQ is a web-based platform for building human–machine interfaces (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. At the ceremony, Mr. Ali Rezaei presented certificates of completion to Nguyen Tran Minh Nguyet, M.Sc.; Nguyen Tan Doi, M.Sc.; Dr. Tran Vi Do; Dr. Ta Van Phuong; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Nhon.
Inauguration of the Beijer Electronics Lab
After the signing ceremony, delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Beijer Electronics Lab, the Process Control Laboratory (Room C303A) of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The lab is equipped with training kits including HMI panels, controllers, networking devices and industrial gateways from Beijer Electronics, connected to computers running software with lifetime licenses. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le My Ha, direct industry involvement in training helps narrow the gap between the curriculum and real-world production and enables students to build practical skills.
Industry Seminar and Panel Discussion on Automation in the AI Era
As part of the program, representatives of Beijer Electronics and AVA Vietnam introduced their companies, technology solutions and development trends in the automation industry. At the panel discussion “The Future of Automation in the AI Era: Trends and Opportunities,” Mr. Ali Rezaei, Mr. Ping Huang, Mr. Roland Lim, Mr. Nguyen Duy Tuong and Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Automation Solutions Team Leader at IDEA Company, who joined as an independent speaker, shared insights on AI applications, cybersecurity in industrial systems, predictive maintenance and data-driven energy management. The speakers stressed the need to combine engineering knowledge with the ability to apply AI, and encouraged students to sharpen their programming skills, seek internship opportunities and take part in real industry projects.
The partnership among HCM-UTE, Beijer Electronics and AVA Vietnam strengthens the connection between training and industry practice, helping students access new technology, enhance their practical skills and meet the workforce needs of the automation industry amid digital transformation.
About the University’s Name Change: On December 26, 2025, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 2809/QĐ-TTg, officially renaming Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE). The new name reflects the University’s multidisciplinary development strategy, its strengths in technology and engineering, and its current institutional stature. Before 2007, the University was Vietnam’s leading institution for technical teacher education. Following changes to the national higher education program classification system in 2007, the University expanded its focus to technology, engineering, and related disciplines. The name change aligns with Vietnam’s Higher Education Network Development Plan for 2021-2030 with a vision toward 2050, addresses the demand for high-quality human resources in the digital transformation era, and reaffirms HCM-UTE’s role as a national key university in technology and engineering. |
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Text: PP – Photos: UTE TV
