Taking a significant leap towards global cooperation in education, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) formally announced a new transnational education (TNE) program to provide a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Vietnam. The move is a milestone one as HCMUT is now the first organization outside Australia to host UTS's engineering courses on its premises.
The program, which is jointly taught by academics from both institutions, will enable Vietnamese students to complete a full three-year UTS Bachelor's degree in Ho Chi Minh City. Graduates will receive a globally accepted diploma from UTS, all for around one-third of the cost of study in Australia.
The new program, according to HCMUT Vice President Phạm Trần Vũ, offers the prospect of high-quality, internationally accepted education at home without having to travel overseas. "Vietnamese students now have access to world-class education while being closer to home. UTS will oversee the admissions and graduation process directly to guarantee academic excellence," he said.
The partnership's first intake seeks to welcome 200 students into two highly sought-after programs Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT). Admission will be through a thorough evaluation process, and students must prove proficiency in English through an IELTS score of 6.5 or its equivalent qualification. The tuition fee is VNĐ128 million (around US$4,900) per semester.
UTS Pro Vice-Chancellor Leo Mian welcomed the program as a major step in international academic collaboration. "This program is evidence of the strength of international collaboration in education and innovation. It also extends an existing relationship with HCMUT that started in 2007," he added.
The Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence degree is designed to address the increasing worldwide need for AI experts. With hands-on experience, the students will learn the latest AI technologies employed in self-driving cars, facial recognition systems, voice assistants, and adaptive learning platforms. The course is designed to provide students with the technical and analytical skills necessary to tackle real-world challenges using AI.
At the same time, the Bachelor of Information Technology provides a professional, skills-focused path to IT studies. Besides acquiring key technical skills, students will learn business analysis, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving setting them up for an exciting, fast-changing technology career.
"Both programs draw on UTS's focus on applied learning, entrepreneurial mindset, and research that leads to innovation," Mian said.
Students in the HCMUT-UTS partnership will have access to the entire digital infrastructure of UTS, including online learning environments, digital libraries, and academic support facilities. Locally, on-ground support will be offered by HCMUT academic advisors and faculty to ensure seamless and immersive learning.
In the future, both the universities aim to increase the TNE programme to cover other areas of engineering like electronics, integrated circuit (IC) design, and control automation engineering. These future courses also fit in with Vietnam's plan to develop its high-tech industrial sector and address increasing demand for talented professionals in the field of technology.
UTS, ranked 88th in the world by QS World University Rankings 2025, is one of Australia's top young universities and has more than 30 years of history in providing TNE programs. It is ranked top in the world in AI, data science, computer science, and information systems.
Established in 1957, HCMUT is the largest science, technology, and engineering training center in Southern Vietnam, with more than 32,000 students under the Việt Nam National University-HCM City.
Under the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam now hosts close to 300 international joint education programs, a sign of increasing focus on cross-border cooperation in education. This new initiative between HCMUT and UTS is a landmark model for affordable, high-quality international education designed specifically for Vietnam's future generation of technology professionals.
