As part of its working visit to Vietnam from 26–30 May 2026, a delegation from VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic) held a series of meetings with the Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA), Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCM-UTE). The visit reaffirmed the strong and long-standing partnership between VSB–TUO and Vietnamese higher education institutions while opening new opportunities for cooperation in education, scientific research, innovation, and advanced technologies.
Promoting Educational and Research Cooperation with Vietnam Aviation Academy
On the morning of 27 May 2026, the VSB–TUO delegation, led by Rector Prof. Igor Ivan and accompanied by Dr. Phan Dao, Director of the European Cooperation Center (ECC), together with other delegation members, visited and held a working session with the Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA). The delegation was welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoai An, President of VAA, and representatives of the Academy’s academic and administrative units.
During the meeting, both sides discussed potential cooperation in doctoral education, particularly in emerging technological fields such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other advanced engineering disciplines. The two institutions also explored opportunities for developing joint international academic programs, expanding academic exchanges, and continuing their collaboration in organizing the International UAV Contest, thereby fostering research and innovation among students and academic staff.
Expanding Strategic Cooperation between VSB–TUO and Ton Duc Thang University
Later that day, the VSB–TUO delegation visited Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), one of VSB–TUO’s strategic partners in Vietnam. Over more than a decade of successful cooperation, the two universities have established a comprehensive partnership covering education, scientific research, student and staff exchanges, joint international conferences, and the development of collaborative academic programs.
Representing TDTU at the meeting were Dr. Vo Hoang Duy, Vice President; Dr. Dong Si Thien Chau, Vice President; together with leaders of the University’s academic and administrative units. Participants also included Dr. Phan Dao, Director of ECC; Assoc. Prof. Dinh Hoang Bach, Director of the Institute for Cooperation, Research and International Training (INCRETI); and representatives of the Faculties of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Business Administration, Finance and Banking, Environment and Labour Safety, as well as the Institute of Advanced Technologies.
Since 2013, TDTU and VSB–TUO have successfully implemented a part-time/combined doctoral education program with several faculties of VSB–TUO, including the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Safety Engineering, and environmental programs within the Faculty of Mining and Geology. The two institutions have also successfully developed and implemented an international joint academic program between the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FEI) at VSB–TUO and the Faculties of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Information Technology at TDTU, contributing to student mobility and enhancing educational quality in line with international standards.
In addition, TDTU and VSB–TUO jointly established the Journal of Advanced Engineering and Computation (JAEC), co-organized numerous prestigious international conferences, including AETA, ICFE, CISIM, ICETI, CUTE, and ICAMER, and implemented various applied research projects, notably through the DELTA Programme during the period 2014–2018.
During the meeting, the leadership of both universities agreed to further expand the part-time doctoral education model into new areas such as UAV technologies, materials science, and other advanced technological disciplines. The two institutions also agreed to strengthen joint research initiatives in AI, Big Data, UAV technologies, renewable energy, advanced materials, financial technology, digital economy, and digital governance.
In particular, TDTU and VSB–TUO plan to establish international research groups focusing on UAV technologies and AI in order to enhance research capacity, technology transfer, and international scientific publications.
Signing a Multilateral Agreement on Research, Innovation, and Advanced Technologies
On the morning of 28 May 2026, the VSB–TUO delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd International UAV Contest hosted by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCM-UTE). The competition has become an important international academic and technological platform jointly founded and developed by TDTU, HCM-UTE, VAA, and VSB–TUO.
UAV Contest 2026 brought together ten teams from seven universities in Vietnam and abroad, including, for the first time, participating teams from Slovakia. The event further demonstrated the growing international collaboration among higher education institutions in the fields of UAV technologies, AI, and advanced engineering.
As part of the event, leaders of the founding institutions and representatives of partner universities participated in a joint meeting to discuss future directions for research and innovation cooperation. At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of VSB–TUO, TDTU, VAA, and HCM-UTE signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation in Research, Innovation and Advanced Technologies.
The MoU aims to establish an international collaborative network in strategic fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, intelligent systems, Big Data, and quantum technologies, while promoting joint research projects, academic exchanges, and the development of highly qualified human resources.
Strengthening International Connectivity for Science, Technology, and Innovation
The VSB–TUO delegation’s visit to Vietnam achieved significant outcomes, contributing to the strengthening of cooperation between VSB–TUO and Vietnamese universities while laying the foundation for future international education and research initiatives.
The agreed areas of cooperation extend beyond the development of high-quality human resources to include the establishment of strong research groups, the promotion of innovation, technology transfer, and international integration in strategic technological domains such as AI, UAV technologies, Big Data, renewable energy, advanced materials, digital economy, and quantum technologies.
The achievements of this visit further reaffirm the important role of VSB–TUO and its Vietnamese partners within the global academic cooperation network, contributing to the advancement of applied research and innovation in support of socio-economic development in the digital era.
