On 14 November, VNUHCM-University of Science (HCMUS), alongside the Netherlands Embassy, the Consulate General of the Netherlands, and Nuffic Southeast Asia, hosted an information session detailing the Eindhoven Semicon Summer School (ESSS). This programme offers a comprehensive view of the Dutch semiconductor ecosystem and allowed former ESSS 2025 participants to share their learning within Europe’s leading high-tech environment.

Delivering the welcome speech, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, HCMUS President emphasised the strategic role high-quality human resources play in the semiconductor industry—a sector shaping the future of global technology. The President highly valued the cooperation extended by the Dutch diplomatic bodies and educational organisations, expressing hope that the programme would furnish students with authentic, practical information for career orientation. He affirmed that the Semicon Summer School not only opens opportunities for in-depth study and research but also helps participants develop technical competence, readying them for participation in high-tech fields.

Representing the Netherlands, Ms Hanna Pros, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Netherlands, introduced the 125-year journey of innovation in the Brainport Eindhoven region, which one describes as ‘the technological heart of the Netherlands.’ She highlighted that 85% of the world’s chips are manufactured using machinery designed and built by the Netherlands, demonstrating the country’s pioneering role in knowledge and innovation. Concurrently, she expressed a desire to enhance cooperation with Viet Nam in training and developing young engineers capable of international integration.

A major highlight of the programme was the direct sharing session by Vietnamese students who participated in ESSS 2025. Under the theme, ‘The Dutch Semiconductor Ecosystem – Trends, Advancements, and Inspiration,’ the young speakers presented their experiences visiting ASML and NXP, working in laboratories, accessing integrated training models, and collaborating with international experts. These real-life stories gave students a vivid perspective on research and manufacturing activities in the global chip industry. Additionally, the presentation by Ms Sinar Juliana—a former international participant—further broadened the view of career opportunities in Brainport through her sharing on ‘From Southeast Asia to Brainport: Building a Career at the Frontier of Chip Manufacturing.’

The in-depth discussion session brought together four speakers: Mr Mai Việt Cường—CEO of Lucassen Precision Asia; Ms Nanya Burki—representative of Nuffic Southeast Asia; Assoc. Prof. Lê Đức Hùng—Head of the Electronics Department, Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications, HCMUS; and Assoc. Prof. Huỳnh Phú Minh Chương—Vice Dean, Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. These speakers analysed the skill requirements in the semiconductor industry, ranging from technical foundations and system thinking to interdisciplinary competence, while also stressing the role of practical experience and an international academic environment in bridging the skills gap for the future generation of engineers.

In the context of the expanding Viet Nam–Netherlands relationship in the high-tech sector, the ESSS Information session event at VNUHCM-University of Science constitutes a significant step, helping to bring Vietnamese students closer to the knowledge, technology, and international standards of the semiconductor microchip industry.