HCM-UTE and University of Houston Discuss Research, Graduate Training

On the afternoon of October 14, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) welcomed a delegation of professors from the Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston (USA). The two sides discussed research collaboration, joint supervision of doctoral students and faculty exchange. On the same day, the delegation introduced its master’s and doctoral programs for Fall 2027 admission and interviewed HCM-UTE students who wish to pursue graduate study in the United States.

Attending the program on behalf of HCM-UTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of the University, and Mr. Nguyen Thoi, Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs. The University of Houston delegation included Dr. Suresh Khator, Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Cullen College of Engineering; Dr. Gino J. Lim, Chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; Dr. Ji Chen, Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Dr. Dong Liu, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Dr. Hien Van Nguyen, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Ms. Mai Dao, CEO of New England Elite Consulting (NEEC), the University of Houston’s representative in Vietnam.

During the working session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh expressed the hope of creating more opportunities for HCM-UTE students to pursue graduate study at the University of Houston, expanding research collaboration with professors of the Cullen College of Engineering and welcoming them to HCM-UTE as visiting professors.

The two sides also discussed a dual doctoral degree program, under which doctoral students would spend part of their studies at HCM-UTE and part at the University of Houston under the joint supervision of faculty from both universities. The University of Houston also proposed that its professors spend their sabbatical leave at HCM-UTE to strengthen ties between research groups. Under the shared plan, cooperation will begin with groups working in the same research areas and move toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities.

Dr. Suresh Khator then introduced HCM-UTE students to the Fall 2027 master’s and doctoral programs of three departments: Industrial and Systems Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Electrical and Computer Engineering. The programs are open to third- and fourth-year students and graduates in related fields, with research areas including supply chain and logistics, advanced materials, intelligent and autonomous systems, energy, aerospace, computer engineering and artificial intelligence.

Notably, doctoral students at the Cullen College of Engineering receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly living stipend and health insurance support. International master’s students receive scholarships that allow them to pay the in-state tuition rate for Texas residents, saving about USD 10,000 to 12,000 compared with the standard rate.

Immediately afterward, professors from the three departments interviewed 10 students who wish to pursue master’s or doctoral study at the Cullen College of Engineering. The on-site interviews allowed students to present their research interests directly to the professors and receive advice on programs and scholarship opportunities without having to travel abroad.

Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is a public research university in Texas with about 49,000 students. The Cullen College of Engineering has annual research funding of nearly USD 60 million and graduates more than 100 doctoral students each year.

The working session and interviews open up more opportunities for HCM-UTE students to access graduate education in the United States, helping develop high-quality human resources ready for international integration, while laying the groundwork for the University’s research groups to build ties with the University of Houston in the time ahead.

Text: PP – Photos: UTE TV