On 20 August 2025, the University of Danang (UD) hosted a working meeting between Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac, Vice President of UD, and Mr. Josh Warland, First Secretary for Digital Economy and Technology at the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on prospective cooperation in semiconductor training and research.

The delegation included: Mr. Fernando Castro, Head of Science, National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom); Mr. Shean Chung, Head of Application Engineering, Arm Holdings; Mr. Jonathan Bryon, Business Development Manager, Oxford Instruments; along with representatives of relevant functional departments (Training and Educational Quality Assurance; Science and International Cooperation; Student Affairs, Corporate Relations and Communications); leadership of member universities (University of Science and Technology; University of Technology and Education; Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology), VN–UK Institute for Research and Executive Education, and Advanced Science and Technology Institute.

UD leadership welcomed the delegation and outlined the institution’s profile and recent developments, expressing satisfaction at the steadily growing collaboration with UK partners in general and the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in particular, marked by frequent productive visits and exchanges.

Vice President Le Thanh Bac briefed the delegation on the university’s strategic direction and its roadmap to become a National University, entrusted by the Government of Vietnam and the City of Danang with the mission of training high‑quality human resources. He stressed two priority spearhead areas: semiconductor (integrated circuit) technology and financial technology.

Currently, four member universities and units under UD are engaged in education and research in semiconductor (microchip) technology, while two member institutions focus on fintech, forming a core cluster to meet human resource needs for Danang’s development—especially in alignment with the Government’s initiative to promote an International Financial Center in Vietnam.

Given its potential, needs, and the broader context of international integration, UD expressed its desire for the British Consulate General’s support in serving as a bridge to UK universities and enterprises for cooperation, experience sharing in education, research, and innovation across these domains (among Vietnam’s 11 strategic sectors).

Mr. Josh Warland noted that this was his first visit to UD and conveyed positive impressions of Danang as a dynamic, fast‑developing city with strong prospects for building a high‑tech and innovation ecosystem, including in semiconductor technology. He expressed appreciation for UD’s aspirations and potential, and more broadly for Vietnam’s STEM education quality and its goal of training 50,000 semiconductor engineers in the coming period.

Recognizing the effectiveness of the “triple helix” (Government–University–Business) model, the British side highlighted the participation of representatives from UK universities, institutes, and laboratories in the delegation to explore joint opportunities in semiconductors and fintech.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on needs, strengths, and potential cooperation areas; and proposed ideas and solutions to reinforce linkages among government/local authorities, industry, and higher education institutions—thereby developing an ecosystem to drive training and research in strategic technology sectors prioritized by both governments.

Both sides acknowledged the proposals and agreed on general orientations, with a focus on jointly organizing conferences/workshops on themes such as high‑quality human resource development; promoting research and innovation in semiconductors, fintech, and biotechnology; and expanding faculty and student exchange opportunities.

The British Consulate General affirmed its readiness to support UD in connecting with UK universities and research institutes, and in facilitating the participation of reputable experts and scientists in joint projects and collaborative research initiatives.

UD Media