Inaugural class of Digital Automotive Engineering program was launched

This morning (July 9th), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) held the opening ceremony for its Digital Automotive Engineering Program. This marks the launch of Vietnam’s first specialized engineering program in digital automotive technology.

The inaugural class of the Digital Automotive Engineering Program consists of 59 students who are graduates of disciplines such as Automotive Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Mechatronics.

A fusion of Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering

In the formal atmosphere of the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Phong Dien, Vice President of HUST, highlighted the special significance of the specialized Digital Automotive Engineering program. "The launch of this program is a strategic step in implementing the national qualifications framework, which designates the engineer's degree as Level 7—equivalent to a master's degree."
  "The HUST engineering brand has been highly successful, building a solid reputation both domestically and internationally," emphasized Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Phong Dien. "With the introduction of the national qualifications framework, restructuring our training programs is essential to preserve the engineering brand that is a source of pride for our university. HUST will continue to develop advanced engineering programs at Level 7, enhancing students' creative thinking, professional skills, and ability to adapt to corporate culture."

As the first program to be implemented under an interdisciplinary model, Digital Automotive Engineering is the result of close collaboration between the School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Information and Communication Technology (SoICT).

Assoc. Prof. Truong Hoanh Son, Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, stated: "The Digital Automotive Engineering program equips learners with solid knowledge in software development for modern automobiles, digital automotive mechanical design and simulation, and the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Our goal is to train dynamic, creative young engineers who can meet the demands of the Industry 4.0 revolution and the development trends of the automotive industry in the digital era."
  Assoc. Prof. Ta Hai Tung, Dean of SoICT, further explained the motivation behind the program: "We all see that digital technology and AI have touched many industries, and the development of AI is approaching a tipping point, similar to the internet in the 1990s. Combining a traditional industry with AI opens up new development opportunities for learners and for society as a whole. This is why HUST is determined to pioneer the first specialized engineering program in digital automotive technology."

Assoc. Prof. Ta Hai Tung shared that the Digital Automotive Engineering program's major code falls under Information Technology, meaning that graduates with bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering will have expanded opportunities for in-depth development in the IT field. With the Digital Automotive Engineering major, the Dean of SoICT affirmed that career prospects are not limited to Vietnam; with strong foreign language and soft skills, graduates can find career opportunities worldwide.
  The first specialized Digital Automotive Engineering program in Vietnam

The Digital Automotive Engineering Program is a postgraduate program. Upon completion, graduates are awarded a Specific-Field Advanced Engineer degree, equivalent to a Level 7 Master's degree under the Vietnamese National Qualifications Framework.

"We define this as a program for a new generation of engineers," said Assoc. Prof. Nguyen The Luong, Chairman of the Program Development Council for Digital Automotive Engineering.

The curriculum consists of 60 credits, including 12 credits of foundational courses and 20 credits of mandatory major courses. Students can then choose one of two specializations: Automotive Software Development or Digital Automotive Mechanical Engineering, totaling 13 credits. The program concludes with 15 credits dedicated to a corporate internship and a graduation project.

The program was designed with the aspiration to supply the Vietnamese and regional labor markets with engineers skilled in automotive software development and capable of implementing design, simulation, and testing for vehicle mechanics.
Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced systems such as the CKAS MotionSim VR virtual reality motion simulator and the NVIDIA DGX A100 80GB supercomputer. The program also brings together a faculty team from various disciplines within the School of Mechanical Engineering and SoICT, blending academic teaching experience with practical industry insights.
  More than just an academic advancement, the program introduces a practical approach through a "corporate semester" model. Students will spend six months working at major automotive companies like VinFast, Nissan, and FPT Automotive, guided by industry experts. This is a breakthrough that brings training closer to the real demands of the labor market.

The first cohort of the Digital Automotive Engineering Program includes 59 graduates from fields such as Automotive Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Mechatronics.

Expressing his heartfelt emotion, student Nguyen Quang Quy, representing the first class, shared: "Studying at HUST—a place that upholds the spirit of 'self-study, self-reliance, and self-discipline'—and with the support from faculty, businesses, and modern laboratories, we are confident in our ability to overcome any challenges, adapt to the program, and become true engineers, ready to contribute to the future of the automotive industry!"
  Nguyen Quang Quy believes that with the knowledge and skills gained from this specialized program, combined with their own relentless efforts, the first generation of Digital Automotive Engineering students will open new doors, contributing to the development of the nation's auto industry and its reach into the global market.

University and industry unite to create a new generation of engineers

A key differentiator of the Digital Automotive Engineering program is not just its curriculum but also its close integration with businesses. The presence of major corporations like FPT Automotive, VinFast, and Nissan at the opening ceremony is a testament to this strong university-industry link.

Mr. Vu Tuan Manh, Production Director at FPT Automotive and an alumnus of SoICT (Class of K43), praised the program for its alignment with advanced automotive technologies, particularly noting that the inclusion of an AI module is well-suited to the industry's evolution.

At the ceremony, FPT Automotive announced it would sponsor a digital automotive laboratory in Building C7 to provide students with hands-on practice using advanced equipment.

Mr. Garrett Evert, Senior Advisor at VinFast, offered a comprehensive view of the vast potential for growth and the significant demand for talent in the electric vehicle sector. "We are currently developing 19 new vehicle lines simultaneously, from electric to green vehicles with entirely new structures and power systems. This requires a large and high-quality engineering team."

VinFast is always open to welcoming talented young engineers and has established a talent development program to attract young professionals, cultivate their strengths, and assign them to suitable roles based on their capabilities.

Alongside FPT Automotive and VinFast, Nissan Automotive Technology Vietnam (NATV) is also a close partner, having maintained a strong relationship with HUST for over a decade.

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Trang, Head of Recruitment and Training at NATV, shared that the company has established a new unit called DX (Digital Transformation), which requires engineers to have not only a foundation in automotive mechanics but also knowledge of programming, artificial intelligence, and data design and implementation.

The NATV representative emphasized: "The automotive industry is undergoing a powerful transformation with the infusion of software, data, and AI. Previously, we recruited personnel from separate specializations and spent considerable time on retraining. Now, the Digital Automotive Engineering program has solved this bottleneck."

With a solid academic foundation, the support of leading enterprises, and the students' unwavering ambition, the Digital Automotive Engineering program is set to become the cradle for a generation of engineers who will lead Vietnam's automotive industry into the digital era—an era of national ascendance.