Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is redefining competency requirements for the technical workforce, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT) has positioned mechanical engineering and automation as a strategic pillar of its development roadmap. The University has committed tens of billions of Vietnamese dong to comprehensively upgrade laboratories and training workshops, thereby strengthening its applied training capacity and accelerating collaboration with international high-tech enterprises. A notable milestone is the nearly VND 20 billion sponsorship of advanced CNC equipment provided by Shandong Chenbang CNC Equipment Co., Ltd. (China).

In the 2024–2025 academic year, HUIT is intensifying investment in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology, concentrating on three priority disciplines. Approximately VND 3 billion has been allocated to the Thermal Engineering program to equip a comprehensive training suite—including a chiller system, chilled and cold-storage facilities for food preservation, ice-making equipment, and a centralized HVAC system—so that students can practice on industry-grade systems comparable to those used in manufacturing plants, commercial centers, and cold-chain logistics warehouses. For Mechatronics, an estimated VND 7 billion is being invested to develop an integrated Mechatronics–IoT–Industry 4.0 platform featuring automated production lines, industrial robots, machine-vision applications, and automated logistics, thereby establishing a compact “miniature smart factory” model directly on campus. In Mechanical Manufacturing, approximately VND 10 billion has been earmarked for the procurement of three 3-axis CNC machines to support structured hands-on training in precision machining, from foundational skills to advanced applications. 

Mechatronics System of HUIT’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Building on these investments, HUIT has been able to secure meaningful engagement from international high-tech industry partners. Shandong Chenbang CNC Equipment Co., Ltd. has pledged to sponsor the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology with two state-of-the-art CNC systems—one 4-axis and one 5-axis—bringing the total value of the contribution, inclusive of importation-related costs, to nearly VND 20 billion. Whereas the University-funded 3-axis CNC machines are primarily intended for large-scale foundational practical training, the 4-axis and 5-axis equipment will serve as an advanced training and research platform for high-achieving students, specialized research teams, and institutional squads preparing for skills competitions in mechanical design and precision machining.

3-Axis CNC Milling Machine at HUIT’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology

3D Printer at HUIT’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Whereas most domestic training providers currently have access only to 3-axis CNC machines, HUIT’s acquisition of 4-axis and 5-axis systems offers a distinct advantage in preparing high-quality mechanical engineers who can handle complex parts and meet the operational standards of modern factories. These machines will also be designated as the core training assets for HUIT’s student squad ahead of an international vocational skills competition expected to be held in August 2026. In advance of the event, the University will host a domestic selection contest bringing together HUIT students and participants from a number of universities and technical colleges to identify the strongest candidates and finalize the team lineup.

HUIT’s continued allocation of substantial resources to mechanical engineering and automation, together with its success in attracting foreign corporate sponsorship for modern, high-value equipment, reflects a clear and consistent development strategy: positioning high-tech mechanical engineering as a flagship area of training closely aligned with the requirements of Industry 4.0. The 4-axis and 5-axis CNC machines, along with the newly established mechatronics system, serve not only as advanced facilities supporting postgraduate research but also as the principal training tools for HUIT student teams participating in international vocational skills competitions. On this basis, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade is further strengthening its reputation as a credible training institution in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, thermal engineering, and mechanical manufacturing, providing students with a modern learning environment closely connected to industrial practice and equipping them with the competence to compete at both national and international levels.