With a strong foundation of 27 years of undergraduate and graduate technology education, the establishment of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will position Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) as a leading institution for AI training and research in Vietnam.

On August 28, 2024, coinciding with the traditional celebration of the Information and Communications Industry, PTIT held a ceremony in Hanoi to announce the resolution for the establishment of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, along with Deputy Ministers Phan Tam, Nguyen Thanh Lam, Nguyen Huy Dung, and Bui Hoang Phuong, as well as leaders from various functional departments of the Ministry. From PTIT, the attendees included Prof. Dr. Tu Minh Phuong, Chairman of the Institute Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hoai Bac, President of PTIT; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Cuong, Dean of the AI Faculty; and other faculty members and leaders from various training departments and functional units.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the core technologies, driving transformative changes across various sectors, including healthcare, education, economics, industry, and entertainment. The world is witnessing a technological revolution, where AI serves as a “golden key” unlocking new avenues for human development. In Vietnam, under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Information and Communications, particularly Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, PTIT has made the decision to establish the AI Department, optimizing resources for this key area of education. Leading AI Education as a Competitive Advantage for the Institute As the initiator of the AI Faculty, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung congratulated the leaders of PTIT, the AI Faculty and students for this significant milestone. He expressed hopes for the AI Faculty to achieve great success and play a pivotal role in advancing the AI sector in Vietnam. He emphasized that for PTIT to improve its ranking, it must be at the forefront of innovation, especially in the field of digital technology. According to the Minister, the Institute must view this endeavor as its core competitive advantage. AI is not only a primary technology in digital transformation but also a critical element of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Much like electricity was to the Second Industrial Revolution, AI will permeate every aspect of societal life. PTIT has established the first AI Faculty in Vietnam, similar to its pioneering efforts in creating the first Fintech program and offering online higher education for workers who balance study with work.

The Institute is also set to launch the Vietnam Leadership and Management Institute, the first of its kind in the country, focusing on research and teaching in leadership and organizational management, aligning with contemporary trends while being tailored to Vietnam’s unique practical realities, philosophy, and culture. Thus, PTIT’s pioneering spirit is gradually becoming a core value of the Institute. As AI continues to evolve rapidly, the Minister stressed the need for continuous updates to the training programs. The Institute must stay attuned to global developments and the AI curricula of leading universities worldwide. The AI training program at PTIT should align closely with those of top international institutions. “AI is new for all countries; Vietnam should not lag behind. There is no reason for PTIT to follow,” he asserted. The Institute should actively collaborate with both domestic and international AI companies. Training AI professionals must encompass undergraduate, graduate, doctoral programs, and retraining initiatives. Electronic, telecommunications, and IT engineers can reskill to become AI engineers, rapidly addressing the immediate demand for AI talent. For the AI students of PTIT, the Minister noted that they should take pride in being the first cohort of AI students in Vietnam. “Take every opportunity to learn. Pioneers have no limits, as they are not confined by existing definitions,” he encouraged.

During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Tu Minh Phuong, Chairman of the Institute Council, stated that the AI Faculty’s mission is not only to train leading experts in AI but also to serve as a center for research and development of cutting-edge technological solutions that meet society’s pressing demands as the need for AI talent continues to rise. Prof. Dr. Tu Minh Phuong outlined that PTIT aims to become the leading institution in Vietnam for AI training, research, and quality of education by the period of 2024-2025. Furthermore, the Institute strives to rank among the top 400–450 universities globally in AI research by 2025–2035. He also emphasized that the Institute would enhance the operations of specialized AI research labs, aiming for excellence and quality in scientific publication standards. PTIT plans to expand its collaborations with strong research teams globally while continuing to support the development of AI products in partnership with major technology corporations.

In sharing the AI training program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Cuong, Dean of the AI Faculty, mentioned that the curriculum has been designed according to international standards, focusing on two main areas: Machine Learning and Applied AI, drawing from advanced programs at prestigious universities such as Stanford and Carnegie Mellon. This approach equips students with both in-depth and practical knowledge necessary to meet the current demand for high-quality AI experts. The program includes a semester of internships at leading domestic and international AI companies. AI students at PTIT will also benefit from mentorship by experienced guest experts from renowned global universities such as Stanford, MIT, Deakin, UC Davis, JAIST, and KAIST, as well as from major technology firms like NVIDIA, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, VinAI, FPT, Samsung, and NAVER. “The establishment of the AI Faculty is a concrete action to realize the Institute’s commitment to developing AI human resources. The Faculty will play a leading role in directly training AI professionals and supporting AI training for other departments within the Institute,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Cuong emphasized.