That was the message from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vice President of Foreign Trade University (FTU). Building on a partnership established in 2023, the two sides are now expanding their collaboration into AI and data research, talent development, and technology transfer.
On the morning of August 27 at Foreign Trade University (FTU), representatives of FPT Corporation and the university signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking a new chapter in their partnership established in 2023. The new agreement aims to combine FTU’s research capabilities with FPT’s technology platforms and practical implementation expertise.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vice President of Foreign Trade University, FPT has supported FTU since the early stages of the university’s expansion into technology education. Students’ positive response to new technology-focused programs has been one of the key drivers behind FTU’s continued investment in the field, including the establishment of TechLab to strengthen its technology and research capabilities.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vice President of Foreign Trade University, delivers the opening remarks.FTU views technology not as separate from its traditional strengths in economics, business, and trade, but as a driving force that can enhance these disciplines. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang noted that FPT and FTU share many similarities in their vision and aspirations, as well as an open culture, a willingness to experiment, and a strong focus on tangible outcomes.
“I hope our two teams will continue collaborating in a ‘Fast & Furious’ spirit,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang said, adding that FTU is ready to commit human and financial resources and further invest in TechLab and joint programs with FPT.
Representatives of FPT Corporation noted that the partnership between the two sides has been strengthened through a range of initiatives since 2023, including job fairs, training programs, and expert knowledge-sharing sessions for students. In this new phase, FPT expects the partnership to advance further into research as FTU positions technology as a pillar of growth and works to develop high-quality talent for the digital economy.
The agreement opens up opportunities for deeper collaboration between FPT and FTU, particularly in core technology research.Under the agreement, the two sides will prioritize the research and application of domain-specific AI in law, finance, economics, big data, and digital transformation. They will also establish interdisciplinary research groups working toward scientific publications, technology products, datasets, patents, and research outcomes with potential for technology transfer and commercialization.
FPT will support FTU with its network of experts, data, technology infrastructure, and computing resources. The two sides will also explore the development of Data Lakes and Data Warehouses, conduct national- and international-level research projects, and jointly organize thematic discussions, workshops, internship programs, applied research opportunities, and PhD training programs.
Representatives of FPT Corporation and Foreign Trade University sign the cooperation agreement.Notably, FPT has nominated Dr. Nguyen Xuan Phong, FPT Corporation’s Chief AI Transformation Officer, to join the TechLab Scientific Council, where he will contribute to technology strategy, connect experts, and support the development of AI research programs. FPT’s Quantum AI & Cyber Security Institute (QACI) will serve as the focal point for implementing the partnership on FPT’s side.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years, further demonstrating FPT’s commitment to expanding collaboration with universities, research institutes, and expert networks. Through these partnerships, FPT aims to establish research teams focused on real-world outcomes, develop highly skilled talent, and create a stronger foundation for researching, developing, and mastering core technologies.
Previously, in 2023, FPT and FTU signed a cooperation agreement to jointly conduct research, expand their networks, provide training, and pursue scientific research in areas of shared interest and strategic development.
TechLab is Foreign Trade University’s laboratory for applied AI in economics, trade, finance, and law. FTU established TechLab to advance the practical application of AI across five key research areas: AI for economics and policy; AI for finance; AI for business and trade; AI for legal documents; and Explainable AI (XAI) and Responsible AI.
The lab is also being equipped with infrastructure including AI workstations, GPU cloud computing platforms, and a data hub, with the goal of producing international publications, facilitating research transfer, providing scientific evidence to businesses and regulatory authorities, and developing highly skilled AI talent.