On 20 March 2026, VNUHCM-Â鶹´«Ã½ (HCMUS) hosted the International Workshop on “Global Geoparks and Mineral Resources 2026.â€� The event convened a distinguished assembly of scientists, policymakers, industry experts, and academic partners from across the globe.

The event was attended by the HCMUS Executive Board, heads of administrative departments and faculties, alongside faculty members, doctoral candidates, and students. Distinguished guests included representatives from the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, various regulatory bodies and technical units within the geology and resources sector, and international partners from the National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT), Yehliu Geopark, and the Taiwan Marble & Stone Industrial Association (TMA).

In his opening address, Associate Professor Trần Minh Triết—Vice President of HCMUS—emphasised the pivotal role of geological sciences in addressing global challenges regarding resources, the environment, and sustainable development. The Vice President further reaffirmed the commitment of HCMUS to strengthening international cooperation within this vital field.

Academic Exchange on Geological Heritage and Sustainable Development

The first session focused on “Geological Heritage and Sustainable Development,� featuring presentations on geopark management, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism. These research papers provided comparative perspectives between Viet Nam and Taiwan, ranging from policy frameworks to technical solutions and management models.

Session I featuring numerous presentations on geopark management and sustainable tourism in Viet Nam and Taiwan.

Presentations from Viet Nam highlighted practical experiences in managing geoparks, most notably the conservation and promotion of the UNESCO Global Geopark in Dak Nong, alongside the Net Zero community-based tourism model in Lang Son. Meanwhile, research from Taiwan offered practical insights into geological structural reinforcement techniques, the role of geological surveys in urban planning, and sustainable management strategies at Yehliu Geopark.

Within the framework of the workshop, the Faculty of Geology formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yehliu Geopark and the Taiwan Marble & Stone Industrial Association. This partnership focuses on academic exchange, field research, professional training, and the joint organisation of workshops and communications to foster sustainable geological tourism.

Representatives from the Faculty of Geology at HCMUS signing the MoU with Yehliu Geopark and the Taiwan Marble & Stone Industrial Association.

Furthermore, the collaboration with TMA paves the way for practical advancements in mineral resources, including geological surveying, the application of extraction technologies, post-mining environmental restoration, and the development of technical standards for the stone and materials industry.

Mineral Resources: From Research to Application

The second session, entitled “Mineral Resources and Sustainable Development,� examined specialised research on regional geology, geothermal energy, geological hazards, and the potential applications of resources.

Reports in Session II focusing on mineral resources, geothermal energy, and applied geological issues.

The presentations provided updated analyses on the origin and application potential of pegmatites in Kon Tum, assessed risks from seismic events in Taiwan, and clarified the role of hydrothermal systems in geothermal energy development. Additionally, representatives from enterprises and industry associations shared practical perspectives on market trends, technology, and development trajectories within the stone extraction and processing sector.

Concluding the programme, a presentation on the mineral potential of Southern Viet Nam suggested numerous avenues for collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to enhance the practical value of geological research in an era of global integration.

Affirming the Role of Academic Connection and Sustainable Development

The workshop providing a forum for academic exchange and collaboration between scientists, regulators, and enterprises.

The workshop served not only as an academic forum but also as a platform for bridging the gap between educational institutions, government agencies, and domestic and international enterprises. The discussions and partnerships established during the event have contributed to promoting interdisciplinary research, enhancing training capacity, and increasing the practical application of geological sciences.

Through this event, VNUHCM-Â鶹´«Ã½ continues to assert a leading role as a hub for academic and applied connectivity in geology and mineral resources, working alongside partners to address scientific and technological issues linked to sustainable development on both regional and global scales.

On 26 November, the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology (FMST) collaborated with the Bosch HcP Factory (Long Thanh City, Dong Nai Province) to host a specialist workshop. The event focused on professional exchange, training in report writing skills, and introducing employment opportunities for students of VNUHCM-Â鶹´«Ã½. This initiative sought to strengthen the connection between the university and industry, enabling participants to access practical technology and understand the human resource requirements of modern industrial production.

The workshop welcomed Assoc. Prof. Trần Thị Thanh Vân—Dean of the FMST—and Assoc. Prof. Phạm Kim Ng�c—Head of the Nano and Thin Film Materials Department—along with other esteemed lecturers and researchers from the Faculty. Representing the Bosch HcP Factory were Mr. Trần Ng�c Hữu �ạt—Senior Quality Manager; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hoa—Senior Human Resources Partner; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Huy�n Trang—Quality Manager; and various specialist assistants.

Bosch experts shared invaluable practical knowledge on mass production systems. The focus was on the crucial link between foundational materials science and the processes of manufacturing, inspection, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC). Visual analyses from the production line allowed students to clearly conceptualise the application of academic knowledge in an industrial environment, particularly in stages concerning error control, establishing standards, and process improvement.

Alongside the technical content, a dedicated session addressed modern management methodologies. The ‘Why – How – What’ thinking framework was introduced as a foundation for strategic approach, helping students define goals, implementation methods, and expected value. Notably, the essential skill of constructing a ‘One-page report’—a condensed, single-page summary—was systematically taught. This training emphasised summarising information, visualising data, and proposing action, all of which are vital to meeting the rapid decision-making demands within multinational corporations.

In the career orientation section, Bosch HcP representatives outlined the 70-20-10 human resource development model. In this model, 70% of competence develops from practical work experience, 20% from peer learning through colleagues, and 10% from specialist training. Furthermore, the values of Diversity – Equity – Inclusion (DEI) were highlighted as a critical component of the corporate culture, ensuring a working environment that remains open, respectful of differences, and encourages creativity.

The workshop drew to a close with an open exchange session between students and the enterprise, providing extensive information on internship opportunities, recruitment, and career development pathways at Bosch HcP. The programme is considered a practical bridge between academic training and the demands of the labour market, helping students from the FMST expand their understanding, enhance their skills, and prepare for integration into the modern industrial environment.

On 14 November, the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-Â鶹´«Ã½ inaugurated the Workshop on Marine Science and Sustainable Development, a special event marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Oceanography discipline within the Department of Oceanography, Meteorology, and Hydrology. The opening ceremony took place in an exciting atmosphere, attended by many scientists, international experts, and young researchers who shared scientific perspectives on the ocean.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan—President of the University—expressed his honour in welcoming scientists, experts, and young researchers to this meaningful forum. The President of the University affirmed the critical role of the workshop: “Today’s event brings together scientists, experts, and young researchers to share the latest findings and innovative ideas aimed at a sustainable future for our oceans. This cooperation not only promotes marine science but also strengthens global connectivity in addressing shared challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and sustainable coastal management.�

The Marine Science and Sustainable Development Workshop included 16 presentations, divided into three specialised discussion sessions:

Session 1: Marine Science and Sustainable Development

This session featured talks on the 20-year journey of OMH@HCMUS by Vo Luong Hong Phuoc; the advancement of coastal monitoring with indigenous HF radar development, presented by Hwa Chien; global trends in oceanic fronts and their implications for marine ecosystems, presented by Andrew Fischer, Kai Yang, and Phuc TD. Le; high-precision measurements in marine chemistry (DMS as example) surviving and advancing in any environment, presented by Sohiko Kameyama; and machine learning applications for classification and regression, presented by Quoc Pham.

Session 2: Microplastics – From Research to Forecasting

This session focused on urgent environmental challenges, beginning with Chemicaldrift – a new open source ocean pollution model, presented by Lars R. Hole, Manuel Aghito, and Øyvind Breivik. Further presentations included surface water contamination with microplastics in Poland, detailing trends and challenges, by Piotr Zieliński and Karolina Mierzyńska; classification and prediction of microplastics by Vo Luong Hong Phuoc and colleagues; the challenges and opportunities of detection and classification of microplastics using artificial intelligence, presented by Pham The Bao and a large group of co-authors; and integrating AI and GIS for forecasting saltwater intrusion in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam under climate change, presented by Vo Thi Kim Kieu, Pham Thi Tuyet Huyen, and Nguyen Kim Loi.

Session 3: River–Sea Processes and Coastal Zones

This session addressed dynamic environments, with topics covering the formation mechanism of a sand bar in Cua Dai – Thu Bon River mouth, presented by Vu Tuan Anh and Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung; sub-mesoscale flows and near-inertial motions in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River plume in the Gulf of Mexico, presented by Pat Welch; water resource characteristics of the Mekong Delta, including current status, challenges, and sustainable management solutions, presented by Tran Dang An; the use of sand on a global scale and the impact on the marine environment, by Klaus Schwarzer; coastal protection strategies with nature-based solution for climate change adaptation in coastal Mekong Delta, presented by Le Xuan Tu; and shifting tidal dynamics in the Mekong Delta, unravelling the acceleration of tidal amplification and its anthropogenic roots, presented by Nguyen Cong Thanh, Tran Van Xuan, Nguyen Nghia Hung, and Dang Truong An.

The event was attended by many scientists, international experts, and young researchers.

The workshop concluded with an affirmation of the crucial role of marine science in providing data, solutions, and strategic direction to protect the ocean sustainably and promptly against current environmental fluctuations. The specialised discussion sessions highlighted the importance of applying modern technology—from HF radar and precise chemical measurement methods to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning—to enhance the capacity for monitoring and forecasting complex ocean systems. The focus of the workshop was not only on basic research into ocean dynamics but also extended to urgent environmental challenges such as microplastic pollution on surface waters and the impact of climate change on coastal areas and estuaries. The solutions presented, from marine pollution modelling to nature-based coastal protection strategies, demonstrated the transformation of scientific knowledge into strategic action.