Vietnam accelerates higher education reforms in engineering and semiconductor fields

Vietnam's education sector is intensifying efforts to develop skilled talent in critical technology areas, with universities and training institutions rolling out expanded programmes in engineering, STEM, and semiconductor manufacturing. More than 90 master's-level talent development programmes have been launched across 23 higher education institutions, representing a significant expansion of the country's capacity to produce advanced technical expertise.

The semiconductor industry has emerged as a particular priority, with nine specialised training programmes now approved to address growing demand for skilled workers in chip design and manufacturing. This aligns with Vietnam's broader strategy to position itself as a regional hub for semiconductor production and high-technology manufacturing.

Supporting these academic initiatives, 13 networks of centres of excellence have been established with a combined membership exceeding 300 institutions and organisations. These networks are designed to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaborative research across Vietnam's higher education system while strengthening connections between academia and industry.

The government has also expanded financial support for talent development, with nearly 44,000 students across 15 strategic technology fields now identified as eligible for scholarships. This scholarship initiative underscores efforts to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent capable students from pursuing advanced studies in fields deemed critical to Vietnam's technological development and economic competitiveness.