Role for companies in education

September 11 2026 | 11:10 Role for companies in education Huyen Thuong Vietnam’s dreams of becoming a major player in semiconductors will only come to fruition if it can produce a skilled cohort of engineering graduates. However, more than 166 universities nationwide now offer programs related to semiconductor technologies and engineering attracting around 134 000 new students each year. However, specialized programs in chip design and semiconductor technology only began expanding significantly in the 2024-2026 period.

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Role Companies Education Trends

In contrast, nguyen Duc Minh Vice-Dean of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. said semiconductors are among the engineering fields with “very high requirements” for human resources. Subsequently, according to experts and businesses however the challenge is not simply about the number of engineers being trained but. more importantly the quality of these graduates and their ability to meet real-world job requirements. Quality imperative Mr. Minh said many of the University’s graduates have secured good incomes within five years or so of graduation. Conversely, however this does not mean that every student graduating in semiconductors will easily find a job or earn a high salary. “If students study because it is a trend or study only enough to pass their courses there is no such thing as a good job with a high salary. Expanding training capacity, therefore, needs to go hand-in-hand with improving graduate quality. For example, in practice, the semiconductor industry has characteristics that distinguish it from many other fields. Students need not only a solid foundation in electrical engineering electronics integrated circuits (ICs) and design but also the ability to work with the tools. processes and technical requirements used by businesses. For example, these technologies are, however, evolving rapidly. This raises a major question for Vietnam’s semiconductor workforce development: how to move from training large numbers of students to developing engineers who are genuinely capable of contributing to industry projects. Additionally, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy Director of the Training Center at the Southeast Asia Institute for Advanced Technology (AIAT). the semiconductor industry requires continuous training retraining and skills upgrading throughout a person’s professional career. “This is the ‘science of sciences’ and requires long-term investment,” she said. In contrast, “Developing talented people in the field requires four to ten years. Turning an engineer into an inventor requires nurturing curiosity and passion as well as a constant desire to explore and conquer new challenges.” Behind tiny semiconductor chips. she continued are highly-complex manufacturing processes. From the initial raw materials used to produce wafers, semiconductor manufacturing involves hundreds of stages before fabrication begins. The entire process can involve around 30,000 production steps, illustrating the scale and sophistication of the industry. Extending internships From a business perspective, Mr. In contrast, le Quoc Trong Product Manager at Willas Electronic Vietnam part of Taiwan (China)’s Willas Electronic Corp said career opportunities in chip design are currently expanding rapidly. Many international companies are increasing their R&D operations in Vietnam and have significant demand for IC design engineers. As a result, chip manufacturing in Vietnam, meanwhile, remains at an early stage of development. Meanwhile, the country is beginning to build the foundations of its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while many universities have launched semiconductor programs or are training their first cohorts of students. Specifically, this has created differences in workforce demand across the value chain. According to Mr. Trong, employment opportunities in manufacturing will gradually expand as Vietnam’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem develops.

How Role Companies Education Shapes Vietnam’s Growth Outlook

The broader implications of these trends extend beyond immediate numbers. Policymakers and business leaders alike are watching how these dynamics unfold across the region, shaping decisions on trade, infrastructure, and workforce development for years to come.

Key Takeaways and Implications

However for these “building blocks” to develop into an engineering workforce capable of meeting industry requirements the gap between education and business needs must be narrowed. Nguyen Trong Van Regional Manager (Vietnam & Thailand) at Gowin Semiconductor agreed that this gap remains though there have been positive signs from growing cooperation between businesses and universities. One necessary change, he said, is to extend student internships.

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Regional Context and Investment Outlook

Vietnam continues to attract attention from international investors seeking diversified exposure to Southeast Asian growth markets. The country’s strategic location, young workforce, and progressive trade agreements have positioned it as a preferred destination for manufacturing and service-sector expansion. Furthermore, recent policy reforms have streamlined business registration and reduced bureaucratic barriers for foreign enterprises. Moreover, infrastructure development along major transport corridors has improved logistics efficiency and reduced operational costs. Consequently, the broader regional outlook remains favorable for sustained economic progress and cross-border commercial activity.

Strategic Implications for Businesses

For companies evaluating market entry or expansion strategies, the latest economic indicators provide a clear signal of resilience. Additionally, the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment offers reassurance to long-term investors. Furthermore, bilateral trade partnerships continue to open new avenues for commercial collaboration across diverse sectors. As a result, organizations that adopt a proactive approach to regional engagement are well-positioned to benefit from the sustained growth trajectory observed across the economy.

Looking Ahead: Policy and Growth Drivers

Analysts point to several structural factors underpinning the economy’s resilience. First, demographics play a crucial role, with a young and increasingly skilled labor force driving productivity gains. Second, the expanding network of free trade agreements provides market access that few regional peers can match. Third, ongoing investments in digital infrastructure and renewable energy are creating new growth pillars beyond traditional manufacturing. Together, these factors suggest that the current momentum is not merely cyclical but reflects deeper structural transformation. For investors and businesses, the message is clear: a long-term perspective aligned with these macro trends offers the strongest foundation for sustainable returns in one of the region’s most promising markets. Moreover, continued dialogue between the public and private sectors will be essential to sustaining this trajectory and unlocking the full potential of the broader economic ecosystem.

Implications for Supply Chains and Logistics

The expansion of transport networks has a direct bearing on supply chain efficiency and logistics costs. Shorter transit times and improved road quality reduce the expense of moving goods between production facilities and export terminals. Furthermore, better connectivity enables just-in-time manufacturing models and supports the growth of e-commerce distribution. Consequently, businesses that optimize their logistics networks in response to these infrastructure upgrades can achieve meaningful cost savings and improve customer satisfaction across the region.

Conclusion

These developments underscore Vietnam’s continued trajectory as a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. As the market evolves, businesses that move decisively will be best positioned to capture emerging opportunities. Stakeholders who engage early with these shifting dynamics stand to gain a competitive edge in the years ahead.

For more information, visit Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade.