On the morning of October 16, 2025, at Meeting Room 2 – Central Building, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) held a ceremony to commemorate 60 years of cooperation between HCMUTE and partners from Germany. The event marked an important milestone, recognizing six decades of partnership in education, training, and scientific research between the two sides. It also opened a new chapter of collaboration toward developing high-quality technical human resources and strengthening the German–Vietnamese community in Vietnam.
Representing German partners were Prof. Andreas Hirsch – Mechanical Engineering Expert from Chemnitz University of Technology; Mr. Franz Rebholz – Former Head of the Electrical Department, Vietnam–Germany Center at HCMUTE; Ms. Nguyen Mong Ha – Former staff member of the German Consulate General, who contributed to connecting HCMUTE with German partners; Mr. Andre De Jong, Managing Director of Bosch Vietnam; Ms. Simone Goetz – Representative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hien – Representative of the Saxony State Office (SSLO) in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Le Khanh – Representative of the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW); Dr. Trinh Viet Dung, Director of the Kühne Logistics University (KLU) Southeast Asia Campus; Prof. Daniel Ambach and Ms. Do Thi Hang, representatives of the University of Applied Sciences for Digital Business; Mr. Jörg Alexander Vollmer, Senior Consultant and Trainer at qaps Consulting Co., Ltd, along with various German experts, scholars, research institutes, and enterprises.
Representing HCMUTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President; M.Eng. Pham Bach Duong – Director of Office of International Affairs; Mr. Ngo Quang Ha, Dr. Huynh Nguyen Hoang, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan – Former Directors of the Vietnam–Germany Center (2005–2014, 2014–2017, and 2017–2023, respectively); together with leaders from offices, faculties, and centers; German alumni working at the university; lecturers and staff who had contributed to the Vietnam–Germany Center; and representatives of faculty members and students. The event also welcomed Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association, former members of the Vietnam–Germany Center, Vietnam–Germany Technical School, and members of the Vietnam–Germany Friendship Sub-Association in HCMC.
Representatives from German partners, HCMUTE, and the Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association at the anniversary celebration
During the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCMUTE, emphasized that the past sixty years have been a journey of knowledge, friendship, and trust — in which Germany has not only been a strategic partner providing technical support but also a long-standing companion in education, academic exchange, and scientific research. On behalf of the German partners, Mr. Franz Rebholz, Former Head of the Electrical Department of the Vietnam–Germany Center, reaffirmed that the partnership between Germany and HCMUTE stands as a testament to the power of knowledge and international collaboration, expressing his hope for continued cooperation in applied research and innovation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCMUTE – delivering a speech at the ceremony
Mr. Franz Rebholz – Former Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, Vietnam–Germany Center – giving remarks at the celebration
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Huynh Nguyen Hoang, Former Director of the Vietnam–Germany Center, and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association, recalled precious memories and heartfelt stories from the long-standing partnership and extended warm congratulations to HCMUTE on this remarkable 60th anniversary.
Mr. Huynh Nguyen Hoang – Former Director of the Vietnam–Germany Center – sharing his thoughts at the ceremony
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association
Representing the university, M.A. Pham Bach Duong, Director of Office of International Affairs (HCMUTE), presented an overview of HCMUTE’s partnerships with German institutions and shared the university’s vision to strengthen the German community in the region through academic and cultural exchange. Prof. Andreas Hirsch from Chemnitz University of Technology expressed his delight at reconnecting with HCMUTE and looked forward to expanding cooperation in precision engineering. Meanwhile, Ms. Simone Goetz, representative of DAAD, reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between DAAD and HCMUTE, expressing optimism about future collaboration in digital transformation, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
M.Eng. Pham Bach Duong – Director of Office of International Affairs (HCMUTE) – delivering a speech at the ceremony
Prof. Andreas Hirsch – Representative of Chemnitz University of Technology – giving remarks at the event
Ms. Simone Goetz – Representative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – delivering a speech at the ceremony
As part of the program, a dialogue session provided a platform for experts, scholars, and representatives from Vietnamese and German organizations to share practical insights aimed at strengthening cooperation and promoting sustainable development in education and high-quality human resource training. The discussion focused on future collaboration in technical training, applied research, digital transformation, and expanding networking opportunities between universities, research institutes, and businesses of both countries.
Guests engaging in discussions during the dialogue session
A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HCMUTE and the Vietnam–Germany Friendship Sub-Association in HCMC, marking a new milestone in cooperation between the university and German organizations. The MoU affirms a joint commitment to develop a new Vietnam–Germany Center, envisioned as a space for German language learning and cultural exchange in Thu Duc City, as well as a foundation for expanding cooperation in education, research, and technical human resource development.
Representatives from HCMUTE and the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association exchanging the memorandum of understanding
Following the ceremony, participants visited the “History of German Cooperation” Exhibition, held in front of Building G – a place filled with historical significance in the Vietnam–Germany partnership. The exhibition showcased photographs, artifacts, and valuable documents highlighting the evolution of the Vietnam–Germany Center, collaborative projects, faculty and student exchanges, and technical equipment sponsored by German organizations over the past six decades.
Delegates visiting the exhibition “History of German Cooperation” at Building G
The event also served as an opportunity to honor generations of experts and lecturers who have contributed to fostering Vietnam–Germany relations throughout these sixty years. Representatives from both sides shared memorable stories and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and advancing this partnership toward the goals of global engineering education, sustainable development, and international integration.
The 60th Anniversary Celebration of Cooperation between the Federal Republic of Germany and HCMUTE was not only a moment to commemorate shared history and express gratitude but also a new beginning — reaffirming HCMUTE’s pioneering role in international connectivity, research, and technical education aligned with global standards.