November 13, 2026
HO CHI MINH – The Việt Nam National University–HCM City (VNU–HCM) and the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) on Wednesday officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic partnership and cooperation in the robotics industry to boost technological exchange and facilitate joint development.
Under the agreement, both sides will establish a comprehensive collaborative framework leveraging their respective strengths, capabilities, and networks in industry, academia, and research and development (R&D).
Key focus areas include technology transfer, real-world practical demonstrations, business matching, professional capacity building, and international cooperation initiatives in robotics.
Notably, VNU–HCM and KIRIA plan to explore the establishment and operation of the Korea–Vietnam Advanced Industrial Center for Robotics (KV AICR) at the VNU–HCM Innovation Hub, alongside creating coordination mechanisms in Việt Nam to connect research, application, and technological expansion.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, VNU–HCM chancellor Prof. Dr Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mai said the university’s objective extended beyond merely providing students with access to modern equipment and technology, aiming instead to empower students, lecturers, and scientists to actively address real-world business and societal challenges.
“More importantly, we wish to create conditions for students, lecturers, and scientists across all fields of science and technology to directly participate in and enhance their capacity to solve practical problems facing businesses and society,” she said.
Cho Yeong Hoon, president of KIRIA, said KIRIA will always maintain a spirit of companionship with VNU–HCM, regularly exchanging ideas and implementing the agreed cooperation.
“I hope today’s agreement will serve as a driving force to further strengthen the friendship and cooperative relations between our two institutions, as well as between Korea and Việt Nam,” he said.
In terms of practical application, both parties will examine automation and robotics needs across various manufacturing sectors, logistics, agriculture, and aquaculture in Việt Nam.
Planned activities involve industrial needs assessments, baseline facility surveys, and the design of joint pilot projects and technology demonstrations to connect research capabilities with real business needs.
Furthermore, the collaboration emphasises strengthening ecosystem linkages between Vietnamese and Korean robotics enterprises through business matching, joint ventures, system integration partnerships, and technology commercialisation.
The institutions will also explore joint R&D programmes, technical knowledge exchanges, academic seminars, and structured educational opportunities.
Regarding human resource development, VNU–HCM and KIRIA will design specialised educational programmes, training courses, internships, engineering scholarships, and advanced workforce development initiatives in robotics.
They will also collaborate to identify and secure funding from Official Development Assistance (ODA) and international cooperation frameworks.
With guidance and network support from KIRIA, VNU–HCM gains broader access to Korean partners to promote advanced technology transfer for smart, sustainable industrial zones and enhance inter-regional industrial linkages.
This initiative also aims to foster regional robotics networks and multilateral consultation frameworks across Asia, featuring active participation from both nations.