On the morning of May 10, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE), formerly known as Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, hosted the 36th National Student Mechanics Olympiad 2026 – Southern Region, with the participation of 606 contestants from 25 higher education institutions across Southern Vietnam.

 

Opening Ceremony of the 36th National Student Mechanics Olympiad 2026 – Southern Region

 

Attending the program on behalf of HCM-UTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of the University and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the Southern Region; Dr. Mai Duc Dai – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Duy Kien – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

 

Representing the Vietnam Association for Mechanics were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Loc – Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Association for Mechanics and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the Southern Region; and Dr. Le Quang Thanh – Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Association for Mechanics and Member of the Organizing Committee.

 

The event was also attended by representatives from participating universities and competing teams from 25 higher education institutions in Southern Vietnam.

 

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Loc stated:

“The National Student Mechanics Olympiad is not only an academic competition but also an inspiring environment for scientific research, engineering thinking, and the development of young talents in engineering and technology. Through this competition, the Vietnam Association for Mechanics continues to strengthen connections with universities, lecturers, and students nationwide, thereby contributing to improving the quality of education and scientific research in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and other related fields.”

 

At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Loc expressed his gratitude to the organizations and partners accompanying the competition and wished all contestants the best possible results.

 

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Loc – Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Association for Mechanics and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the Southern Region

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCM-UTE – expressed his appreciation to the Vietnam Association for Mechanics for entrusting HCM-UTE with hosting the 36th National Student Mechanics Olympiad 2026 – Southern Region.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh remarked:

“The National Student Mechanics Olympiad is a prestigious and long-standing academic competition that has significantly contributed to fostering learning motivation and scientific research in mechanics subjects at universities in general and engineering universities in particular.” He also encouraged all contestants to give their best efforts and wished them outstanding achievements in this year’s competition.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCM-UTE delivering remarks at the ceremony

 

After 36 editions, the National Student Mechanics Olympiad has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious and long-standing academic competitions in the engineering field. The competition is organized by the Vietnam Association for Mechanics in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, and the Vietnam National Union of Students.

 

The Olympiad not only provides students with opportunities to demonstrate analytical thinking and solve complex engineering problems but also serves as an important platform for universities to standardize training quality and contribute to developing elite human resources for the country’s industrialization and modernization process.
The Organizing Committee presenting commemorative gifts to representatives of the Vietnam Association for Mechanics

 

Representing the contestants, student Vo Hoang Phuong Duy from HCM-UTE, who competed in the Strength of Materials category, expressed gratitude to the Organizing Committee, affirmed his determination to perform at his best, and wished the competition great success.

 

Student Vo Hoang Phuong Duy sharing his thoughts at the ceremony

 

Immediately after the opening ceremony, contestants moved to examination rooms to compete in eight subjects, including:

• Engineering Mechanics
• Strength of Materials
• Structural Mechanics
• Hydraulics
• Soil Mechanics
• Theory of Machines and Mechanisms
• Machine Elements
• Computer Applications in Machine Elements

 

Alongside the competition, the Applied Mechanics Workshop was organized with the participation of numerous lecturers and experts from universities. During the workshop, delegates presented valuable research papers that closely connected fundamental theories with practical applications.

 

The in-depth academic discussions not only updated the latest research directions but also laid a solid foundation for future collaborative research networks among participating institutions.

 

The workshop featured three key presentations:

• “New Trends in STEM2 Education and Applied Research: Objectives and Curriculum of Biomedical Engineering” presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoai Son;
• “Research on the Mechanical Behavior of High-Performance Concrete under High Temperature Effects” presented by PhD Candidate Nguyen Huu Nghia;
• “Analysis of Viscoelastic–Viscoplastic Behavior in Three-Dimensional Space of Asphalt Concrete Materials” presented by PhD Candidate Nguyen Ngoc Hung.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoai Son presenting the topic “New Trends in STEM2 Education and Applied Research: Objectives and Curriculum of Biomedical Engineering”
PhD Candidate Nguyen Huu Nghia presenting the topic “Research on the Mechanical Behavior of High-Performance Concrete under High Temperature Effects”
PhD Candidate Nguyen Ngoc Hung presenting the topic “Analysis of Viscoelastic–Viscoplastic Behavior in Three-Dimensional Space of Asphalt Concrete Materials”

 

The contestants entering the official competition with seriousness and strong determination.

 

The workshop concluded successfully after a productive and effective working session. The discussions provided fresh perspectives on mechanics research and applications while creating opportunities for lecturers and experts from various institutions to connect and exchange experiences in teaching and scientific research.

 

Over the years, the National Student Mechanics Olympiad has become a prestigious annual academic event, reflecting the close cooperation between the Vietnam Association for Mechanics and higher education institutions nationwide. Hosting the 36th National Student Mechanics Olympiad 2026 – Southern Region not only reaffirmed HCM-UTE’s position and strong training quality in engineering and technology but also contributed to spreading the spirit of research and innovation among lecturers and students throughout the region.

 

About the University’s Name Change

On December 26, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2809/QD-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 orientation, strengths in technology and engineering, and its current stature.

 

Before 2007, the University was a leading institution in technical teacher education. Since 2007, following changes in the national academic discipline system, the University has expanded its focus on technology, engineering, and related fields.

 

The renaming aligns with the national higher education network development plan for 2021–2030 with a vision toward 2050, meeting workforce demands in the digital transformation era while affirming the University’s role as a key national university in technology and engineering.