HUST Strengthens International Academic Collaboration in Microwave Engineering

  
Standing before a panel of the world’s leading experts, a HUST student opened the 3-Minute Presentation Competition (3MPC) with a simple analogy: “Just as airline passengers prefer a window seat, an aircraft antenna must also be positioned correctly to receive signals effectively. In just 180 seconds, the student transformed complex scientific concepts into language that was accessible to a general audience. The competition was held as part of the IEEE MTT-S Build Projects and Connect (BPC) 2026 Workshop, which officially opened this morning (28 July) at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST).

Opening the conference, Professor Vu Van Yem, Vice President of HUST, reaffirmed the University’s ambition to become one of Asia’s leading research universities. According to him, international collaboration is a key strategy for addressing global challenges. This conference also provides valuable opportunities for Vietnamese lecturers and students to connect with the international scientific community. Reinforcing HUST’s International Academic Standing

The decision by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (IEEE MTT-S), one of the world’s most prestigious engineering societies with nearly 75 years of history, to select HUST as the host of IEEE MTT-S BPC 2026 reflects international recognition of the University’s research capabilities and academic leadership.

Dr. Fred Schindler, former IEEE Vice President for Technical Activities and a current candidate for the position of IEEE President for the 2027 term, was one of the distinguished guests. He noted that microwave technology is embedded in virtually every modern mobile device and can be regarded as the “nervous system” of these systems. His participation offers Vietnamese researchers and students valuable opportunities to explore the latest developments in high-frequency technologies.
  Supporting the event, Associate Professor Minh Thuy Le, Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, HUST, Chair of the Organising Committee, and IEEE Senior Member, served as the conference moderator. Her role reflects the expertise of HUST’s academic staff in organising and facilitating international scientific events.

MHz - THz: The Foundation of Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence 

Building upon the theme of international collaboration, the conference focused on the MHz - THz frequency spectrum, which underpins next-generation communication systems, intelligent sensors, and autonomous technologies. International scholars and HUST researchers gathered to exchange research findings, technical expertise, and emerging ideas in a multidisciplinary academic forum.
  Dr Debabani Choudhury, Chair of the IEEE MTT-S BPC Committee, discussed the growing applications of RF technology in the terahertz frequency range during the era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. She emphasised the committee’s mission of expanding global participation in microwave engineering.

According to Dr Choudhury, creating an open research environment where Southeast Asian scientists can collaborate with international mentors will help narrow technological gaps and encourage innovative ideas.

As Vietnam accelerates its digital transformation and deepens its participation in the global semiconductor supply chain and AI-related industries, microwave and terahertz technologies are becoming increasingly important.
  Professor Vu Van Yem explained that microwave engineering forms the technological foundation of many everyday devices, including mobile phones, microwave ovens, GPS navigation systems, and advanced medical equipment. The field also plays a vital role in developing wireless communication infrastructure, aviation radar, and remote sensing systems for Earth observation. His insights highlighted the broad applications of microwave technology across daily life, industrial production, and numerous engineering sectors.

The conference’s technical sessions featured a series of keynote lectures delivered by internationally renowned experts, offering participants insights into the latest developments in microwave engineering and related technologies. Dr Malgorzata Celuch (Poland) opened the keynote programme with a presentation on the critical role of materials in microwave device design. She compared the process of developing a microwave device to preparing a meal: “The quality of the ingredients determines the quality of the final product.”

Using this analogy, she introduced non-contact measurement techniques capable of detecting defects in semiconductor wafers before fabrication, helping manufacturers reduce production costs and shorten development time.
  Beyond the technical content, Dr Celuch also shared her entrepreneurial journey at QWED, a high-tech engineering company, providing attendees with practical insights into how academic research can be successfully translated into commercial applications.

The programme continued with Associate Professor Michael Wu of National Taiwan University, who introduced the audience to metamaterials - engineered materials possessing electromagnetic properties that do not occur naturally.
  Associate Professor Wu demonstrated how specially designed antennas can monitor heart rate and respiration without direct physical contact, illustrating the considerable potential of microwave technology in next-generation smart healthcare.

He also introduced the concept of “microwave neurons,” an artificial intelligence architecture that processes information using electromagnetic waves. According to Associate Professor Wu, this technology offers both ultra-fast computation and low energy consumption, while also enabling highly secure communication channels capable of enhancing protection against cyberattacks.

Expanding on this discussion, Dr Debabani Choudhury emphasised that advanced AI systems ultimately depend on high-frequency semiconductor hardware. She encouraged students to adopt an interdisciplinary mindset in order to develop AI solutions capable of addressing real-world challenges.

One of the conference’s most anticipated events was the “Three-Pillar Discussion”, scheduled for 29 July. The panel brings together representatives from Samsung, Viettel, Qorvo, and Tektronix, alongside international experts, to discuss workforce demands, emerging technological trends, and career opportunities in electronics, telecommunications, and semiconductor engineering.

Among the speakers are Mr Trinh Khac Hue (QORVO Vietnam) and Mr Hoang Dinh Hai Truyen (Viettel), who will join international specialists in exploring strategies to attract more young talent into high-tech industries. Through these discussions, students gain valuable insights into industry expectations, current research directions, and the educational pathways that best support their future careers.

Cultivating Young Scientists Through International Collaboration

Alongside its technical programme, IEEE MTT-S BPC 2026 placed strong emphasis on supporting students and early-career researchers by providing opportunities for academic exchange, networking, and international collaboration.
  Addressing students during the conference, Associate Professor Le Minh Thuy shared an inspiring message: “Dream big, start with small steps, and always stay connected.” She emphasised that meaningful scientific achievements are built upon perseverance, discipline, and collaboration. Activities such as the 3-Minute Presentation Competition (3MPC) and the International Research Proposal Writing Workshop were specifically designed to help students develop these essential qualities.

During the 3MPC, HUST students presented their research in concise, accessible language within the competition’s strict three-minute time limit. The presentations covered a broad range of research topics, including designing compact Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures for wearable devices to reduce the human body’s electromagnetic energy absorption and developing beamforming networks for intelligent communication systems. Each presentation aimed not only to demonstrate technical excellence but also to communicate the societal impact of the research.

Students received direct feedback from internationally recognised experts, including Dr Fred Schindler and Associate Professor Michael Wu, allowing them to refine their presentation skills, strengthen their academic communication abilities, and better understand international research standards. The challenge of explaining complex research in just 180 seconds also helped participants develop an essential skill for both academia and industry: clearly communicating the value and significance of scientific work to diverse audiences.

According to Dr Debabani Choudhury, the enthusiasm, initiative, and research potential demonstrated by Vietnamese students provide strong motivation for IEEE MTT-S to further expand its activities throughout the region. Her remarks reflected the international academic community’s growing confidence in Vietnam’s next generation of researchers.
  The conference will conclude on the afternoon of 29 July, following two days of technical sessions, networking activities, and academic exchange. Through its combination of keynote lectures, student competitions, industry engagement, and international collaboration, IEEE MTT-S BPC 2026 strengthens partnerships between Hanoi University of Science and Technology and leading global institutions while creating new opportunities for students and researchers working in microwave engineering, high-frequency technologies, semiconductor science, and artificial intelligence.

Highlights on 29 July

“Three-Pillar” Discussion

Representatives from Samsung, Viettel, Qorvo, and Tektronix, together with international experts, will discuss workforce demands, technology trends, and career opportunities in electronics, telecommunications, and semiconductor engineering.

International Research Proposal Writing Workshop

Dr Fred Schindler and Dr Malgorzata Celuch will lead a practical workshop on preparing research proposals that meet international standards, helping participants improve their competitiveness for research funding and international collaborations.

Academic and Industry Networking

Open networking sessions will provide opportunities for lecturers, researchers, industry representatives, and students to establish new collaborations, form research partnerships, expand international networks, and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving needs of the high-technology sector.