From July 1 to 2, 2024, the delegation from the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) visited Tochigi and Gunma Prefectures to explore opportunities for collaboration in supplying high-quality human resources.
In Tochigi, the delegation was welcomed by Vice Governor Kazunori Amari, Ms. Ishii Yoko, Director of the Department of Industry, Labor, and Tourism, and local technology company representatives. The delegation, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hoai Bac, PTIT’s Director, marked the first time a senior Japanese prefectural leader has met with a Vietnamese university to address the issue of high-quality human resource needs.
During the meeting, Vice Governor Amari praised the quality of Vietnam’s workforce and acknowledged the positive impact of the Vietnamese community on the region’s economic and social development. With the increasing demand for skilled workers in the information and communication technology sector, Tochigi Prefecture sees PTIT as a key partner for training and recruiting top talent for local technology companies, offering special incentives and visa policies for workers.
The discussions also covered potential areas for collaboration, such as a recruitment support program for Vietnamese workers, which would offer five training scholarships focusing on language, culture, and soft skills. The Tochigi government expressed its desire for PTIT’s involvement in making this initiative a success. The number of training scholarships is expected to grow to meet the increasing demand from businesses in the region.
Leaders of Tochigi Prefecture with PTIT Delegation
The PTIT delegation also visited Tochigi’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Center, one of Japan’s largest AI centers, which aims to promote AI applications for both the public and businesses, host AI-related exhibitions, offer training programs for local companies, and encourage the adoption of AI by local firms.
PTIT Delegation at Tochigi AI Center
During their visit, the PTIT delegation also met with representatives from Gunma Prefecture, including Ms. Arai Kaoru, Director of the Department of Construction and Economic Development, who expressed interest in collaborating with PTIT to provide skilled human resources for the region. Japan is expected to face a shortage of over 120,000 skilled engineers in fields such as IT, electronics, and semiconductors by 2030, prompting large prefectures with many technology companies to adopt policies aimed at addressing this shortage.
PTIT Delegation at Gunma Prefecture
It is notable that in December 2023, PTIT opened its Research and Collaboration Office in Japan. In 2024, the institute officially began enrolling students for the Vietnam-Japan Information Technology program. These efforts to strengthen ties with Japanese partners are expected to yield significant results in the near future, providing high-quality human resources tailored to the Japanese job market while fostering global citizenship values among PTIT and Vietnamese students. The PTIT delegation’s visit to Tochigi Prefecture was an important event, covered by Shimotsuke News, the largest local newspaper in the region.
Shimotsuke News Coverage of PTIT’s Delegation Visit
