Following the launch of seven Networks of Centers of Excellence in Northern Vietnam, on August 8, 2025, at Ho Chi Minh City Open University, the Ministry of Education and Training organized a conference to announce six Networks of Centers of Excellence and Talent in 4.0 Technology for the Central and Southern regions. This marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 374 on developing a system of Centers of Excellence and Talent in key technology fields by 2030.
As one of the leading higher education institutions in engineering and technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) continues to affirm its pioneering role in the innovative higher education ecosystem by leading the development and operation of the Network of Centers of Excellence and Talent in Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Energy— a key field in the nation’s green transition strategy.
The network led by HCMUTE currently brings together 12 universities and four domestic and international enterprises, and will continue to expand in the near future.
Conference on the Launch of the Networks of Centers of Excellence and Talent in 4.0 Technology
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc emphasized the crucial role of higher education institutions in training high-quality human resources and advancing science and technology to meet the growing demands of businesses and the labor market. He stressed that these centers are not only academic hubs but also serve as effective connectors between the State – Academia – Industry. “The establishment of these networks today is not merely an announcement, but the beginning of a long-term development strategy aimed at innovating higher education and strengthening cooperation,” the Deputy Minister noted.
During the program, representatives of the six universities leading the networks in the Central and Southern regions presented discussions on their development directions and implementation plans for the coming period.
Representing HCMUTE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thanh Trung, Head of the Office of Science and Technology, presented the development direction for the Network of Centers of Excellence and Talent in Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Energy. He highlighted Vietnam’s vast potential in wind and solar power, noting that the demand for human resources and technology in this field is rapidly increasing amid the global energy transition.
HCMUTE has been offering renewable energy programs since 2018 and has implemented numerous specialized research projects on renewable energy and hydrogen. In particular, the university boasts a team of more than 20 PhD holders trained in countries with advanced renewable energy industries, providing a solid foundation for implementing the network and training high-quality human resources.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thanh Trung also shared the network’s development model based on the “triple helix” linkage of the State, Academia, and Industry. Specifically, with the State, the network will work closely with local departments and agencies to implement scientific and technological projects at both city and national levels. With Academia, the network will promote cooperation with domestic and international universities and research institutes for joint interdisciplinary training and research. With Industry, the network will connect with domestic and international partners in renewable energy to jointly implement projects, invest in equipment, build laboratories, and carry out technology transfer.
In addition to the linkage model, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thanh emphasized strategic pillars for the network’s development. In terms of mechanisms and policies, the network will establish clear operational regulations and focus on priority areas such as renewable energy and hydrogen. For human resources, it will enhance faculty quality by sending lecturers to study in advanced countries and inviting international experts for collaborative research and teaching. Regarding infrastructure, modern laboratories will be invested in to better support training and research. Finally, in international cooperation and industry connections, the network will expand relations with domestic and foreign corporations and global organizations involved in clean energy projects in Vietnam.
Representatives of the member institutions in the Network of Centers of Excellence in Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Energy led by HCMUTE
With a long-term vision and clear development strategy, the Network of Centers of Excellence in Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Energy led by HCMUTE is expected to become a prominent highlight in the national innovation ecosystem, contributing to training high-quality human resources, promoting applied research, and facilitating technology transfer in green and clean energy.
The announcement of the networks for the Central and Southern regions once again affirms the pioneering role of Vietnamese universities in general, and HCMUTE in particular, in driving educational innovation and technological advancement, while laying the foundation for sustainable collaboration among universities, enterprises, and government agencies toward achieving national sustainable development and digital transformation goals.
In total, there are 13 Networks of Centers of Excellence and Talent in 4.0 Technology, including seven in the Northern region and six in the Central and Southern regions. Each network is led by one university in a specific specialized field, with at least five other universities and several domestic and international enterprises participating. Together, they organize outstanding programs for adaptive training, reskilling, upskilling, and specialized training to develop human resources in priority areas. In addition to leading the Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Energy field, HCMUTE also participates as a member in nine out of the 13 networks, leveraging its strengths in training and research.