The Second HIC in Vietnam on its Exemplary Spree: Unboxing Talents, Fostering Collaboration and Uniting All Towards a Shared Vision!

Rolling around the corner, the launch of the second HIC VN has unleashed great possibilities and opportunities, leaving a profound impact from academia to industry. February 3, 2024, marked another significant milestone as we successfully conducted the HIC under the theme “Challenging the Box: Accentuating Vietnam’s Scientific Ingenuities.” Diverse individuals from academia to industry come together to share their knowledge through innovative research studies. The event wouldn't have been possible without the esteemed partnerships we forged, including Focus Systems Corporation, Delightex Pte., Ltd. (Singapore), and Real Tech Holding Singapore. The venue was H3 Building, 1st Floor, 384 D. Hoang Dieu, Phuong 6, Quan 4, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Following the captivating introduction was a compelling opening speech by the project leader, Miss Edilyn Odero. She eloquently delved into the roots of HIC, emphasizing its significance in uniting diverse institutions for a common goal. The audience was then treated to a creative exploration of the theme, inspired by the out-of-the-box thinking of academic researchers, industry professionals, and the Vietnamese community as a whole. The theme was carefully crafted to mirror the unique mindset of the Vietnamese people, especially in the context of their research studies. Dr. Shuichiro Takahashi, Representative Director, President, and Chief Operating Officer of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. (Japan), also graced the event with a brief yet impactful speech as a Guest Speaker during the Opening Program of the conference. He talked about how the collaboration between Vietnam and Japan can contribute to the next 50 years of the ASEAN region.

The keynote session kicked off the event, setting the tone for insightful discussions ahead. Dr. Vo Nguyen Xuan Phuong, a Researcher-Lecturer from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Ton Duc Thang University, served as our keynote speaker. She shared her out-of-the-box experiences and ideas from the academic realm, offering valuable insights into the overall theme. Alongside her, Mr. Hai Ho, another keynote panelist and winner of the TP VN, brought his unique experiences to the discussion. Despite the absence of the third panelist due to unforeseen circumstances, we extend our sincerest gratitude for their commitment. Their contributions enriched the dialogue, shedding light on their visions, opportunities in their respective fields, and potential collaborations for the future. Throughout the discussion, we gained a deeper understanding of the diverse landscapes they navigate within academia and the startup ecosystem, offering a holistic perspective on their areas of expertise.

The Panel session 1 was then next to the line which was moderated by Dr. Yevgeny Aster T. Dulla, with the key personalities, lies in the frontliners for the academe as well as industries. In the Manufacturing area, Crafting Innovation: The Many Facets Surrounding Manufacturing and Industry we had Dr. Vo Thanh Hang a Lecturer from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) who also presented one of her works which is the LogiT Model for a certain issue in Da Lat City. Next is Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quan of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology who shares his work on chain based systems. and lastly, Rafael Masters of Vulcan Augmetics who also shares his startup ML powered biosignal sensors. They tackle the growing industries of Vietnam in line with the manufacturing arena, the rules and guides in the context of being a start up and what as of now the specified regulatory implementations of the Vietnam’s government about industrial environment schema and the issues surrounding an organization's line of productions. 

In the second half of the program, we commenced the afternoon session with the HIC Splash presentation. A total of 16 researchers presented their work in just 3 minutes each, offering specific insights into their studies. The research topics varied widely, providing diverse perspectives on the research landscape of Vietnam, spanning academia, startups, and industries.

Subsequently, the poster session commenced with 19 presenters standing next to their posters, providing detailed explanations of their studies to interested attendees. Participants in the venue were allotted ample time to explore and engage in discussions about each study, fostering a vibrant atmosphere. Meanwhile, judges carefully assessed the presentations in anticipation of the three major awards to be announced later. Delightex Pte., Ltd. (Singapore), one of our partners, also showcased their work through their poster, alongside other panelists. Members of Focus Systems also looked into the posters, considering candidates for the Focus Systems Awards.

During a later session, Panel session 2 convened, focusing on Agriculture in an Industrialized manner, aiming to align agriculture with industries and leverage its potential to enhance Vietnam's economic landscape and research platforms. Miss Hannah Mae B. Balisi served as the session’s moderator and introduced the panelists. Dr. Vu Ngoc Anh, a Professor at Ho Chi Minh University, shared his agricultural expertise, particularly in agricultural drones, providing insights into his work, the Airboots. Dr. Chau Thi Da, a researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Ton Duc Thang University, discussed aquaculture and fisheries management. Lastly, Mr. Cheng Liang Qi, the Chief Operating Officer of Delightex Pte., Ltd., enriched the discussion with his perspectives as a Serial Entrepreneur aligned with Private Venture Capital Firms. The conversation was fruitful as panelists shared insights on industry-agriculture integration, the challenges faced, and the responses needed. They discussed the transition from conventional farming to smart agriculture, emphasizing ongoing developments and future prospects.

The last panel session was conducted by Mr. Alexander Gali, delving into the world of Information Technology Applications in Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering. Before the discussion began, Mr. Ryo Inori provided brief remarks about Focus Systems, offering an overview of their collaboration with GaraSTEM and their corporate objectives. Each panelist also gave a brief introduction. Mr. Truong Vo Huu Thien, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of GaraSTEM, Mr. Ngo Viet Dzung, an Innovation Strategist from Growth Advisor – Lead The Change, and Ms. Nami AkinagaFrontier from Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., shared insights into STEM education in Vietnamese academia, the concept of STEM initiatives for startup ecosystems, innovation landscapes through IT, and future educational initiatives bridging academia to industry.

As the panel discussion shed light on various issues in Vietnam and highlighted research ideations and presentations, one of the highlights of the event was the recognition of the three (3) winners with 200 USD as monetary prize. Each winner was selected by the judges based on their outstanding contributions in their respective categories. Before concluding the event, we acknowledged three (3) young researchers for their unwavering dedication and milestone achievements in their studies.

The Researcher Award was presented to PP-17: “Revitalizing Traditions with Green Electro-Acupuncture: Fueling Growth while Reducing Waste” from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam National University, presented by Bui Dang Dang Khoa. The award was handed by Dr. Yevgeny Aster T. Dula.

The reason for their winning this award is because the resource (Durian), is a common fruit in the ASEAN region, meaning that it is something that can be created in the whole region. In addition, they are using the Durian rind for the creation of supercapacitors, which has a lot of potential due to its various uses. It is very exciting to see what they can create in the future for the people and the possibilities that await them, Dr. Yev added. The team conveys their appreciation to Leave a Nest and their eagerness for the research project to come to reality as soon as possible. 

The Startup Award was granted to PP-15: “Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Essential Oil & Extract Optimization and Applications for Producing Food Wrap” from Ton Duc Thang University, presented by Dang Thi Hong Tham. Ms. Nami Akinaga handed out the award saying, although she is not yet a startup, the reason for giving her this award is because she already possesses the mindset of an entrepreneur to tackle local issues. Ms. Dang Thi Hong Tham extends thanks to the conference for giving them a chance to make a difference and for the opportunity to stand in front of many people and share her knowledge. According to her, it is the first time for her to stand in front of so many people, and she believes she can do it.

The Focus Systems Award was bestowed upon PP-1: “Water Quality Warning Device at Drinking Water Fills” from Nguyễn An Ninh Secondary School, presented by Nguyễn Hoàng Đạt and Nguyen Hoang Quyinh Anh. The reason for this award, according to Mr. Ryo Inori of Focus Systems, is related to the issue they aimed to address through their research study. Water issues are critically important, and they have taken on the challenge of addressing them using IoT sensor applications and analysis. They are pioneers who can bridge Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and Southeast Asia. These young researchers are very grateful for the opportunity given to them as well.

As we close this chapter of the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in Vietnam 2024, we hope that everyone who attended gained valuable insights and experiences, inspiring them to become even greater researchers. We trust that you enjoyed the program and established meaningful collaborations for future endeavors. In the years to come, HIC VN envisions expanding its reach to gather more participants and researchers, not only in Ho Chi Minh but also in other parts of Vietnam. By bridging the gap between researchers and industry, fostering collaboration across academia and various societal fields, we aim to fulfill our mission of “Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness.”

Continuing our mission and vision, Leave a Nest also invites everyone to another one of its initiatives – Tech PLANTER in Vietnam 2024. Tech PLANTER is a pitching competition where teams of researchers and deep tech startups, passionate about making a difference in the world, participate. While the pitching contest is a key component, the broader initiative by Leave a Nest also fosters collaboration between emerging ventures and established corporations to create new business opportunities.

When: July 13, 2024

Where: Ho Chi Minh City

Registration Link: https://en.techplanter.com/TPASIA2024Reg

For more information about Tech PLANTER, you may visit: https://en.techplanter.com/