On July 29, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) hosted the STEM course “Innovators of Tomorrow: Discover STEM Minds in Ho Chi Minh City”. The program was jointly organized by HCMUTE and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to offer Vietnamese students a hands-on, creative introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), while also promoting international educational exchange between the two countries.
The event welcomed delegates from UTM, including Dr. Nadirah binti Darus (Faculty of Civil Engineering), Mr. Mohd Iskandar bin Ishak (Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic and International), Mr. Ikhwan Hakim bin Abd Samat (Faculty of Chemical Engineering), Ms. Filzah Hazirah Jaffar (Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering), and 27 students from UTM’s KDSE program. Representing HCMUTE were Mr. Pham Bach Duong – Head of the International Relations Office, Mr. Nguyen Thoi – Deputy Head of the International Relations Office, and Dr. Tran Quang Tri – Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Training. The event also attracted over 130 teachers and students from three high schools: Nguyen Huu Huan High School, Thu Duc High School, and Victory International Education, along with many children of HCMUTE faculty and staff.
During the opening remarks, Mr. Pham Bach Duong emphasized the significance of the program as an immersive international academic platform that enables Vietnamese students to broaden their horizons and cultivate a spirit of innovation from an early age. Representing UTM, Dr. Nadirah binti Darus expressed her delight at collaborating with HCMUTE on such a meaningful initiative and affirmed the importance of STEM in shaping a new generation with critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a global mindset.
The program continued with a series of exciting and enriching STEM activities designed to spark curiosity, foster discovery, and encourage creativity. In the morning, students were divided into two classes to explore modules on friction and pressure, combining fundamental theoretical knowledge with interactive and visually engaging experiments. This hands-on approach allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of scientific phenomena, stimulating their questioning abilities and critical thinking—key skills for both academic and everyday life—while inspiring them to develop practical applications.
In the afternoon, the students participated in bridge-building and robotics modules, which required a blend of logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. Through these activities, students were introduced to basic concepts in electrical, electronic, mechanical engineering, and programming, while also learning to collaborate, delegate tasks, and overcome challenges together to achieve common goals. These experiences brought joy and excitement to learning, igniting creative thinking and reinforcing the belief that they, too, can become future innovators—provided they are guided and inspired in the right direction.
The “Innovators of Tomorrow: Discover STEM Minds in Ho Chi Minh City” program not only created a vibrant space for international exchange but also inspired the young generation to explore science and technology—preparing them to become tomorrow’s changemakers. It marked an important step toward further educational collaboration between HCMUTE and UTM and advancing sustainable development initiatives in the ASEAN region.
This STEM course also reflected HCMUTE’s strong commitment to cultivating a love for science and technology among young learners, especially high school students. The university continues to proactively seek and develop innovative, practice-oriented educational programs, enabling early exposure to key disciplines of the Industry 4.0 era. Through this initiative, HCMUTE reaffirms its pioneering role in fostering international connections and promoting highly applicable educational initiatives toward a creative, globally integrated, and sustainable education system.
HCMUTE and UTM representatives at the commemorative photo session