The Aspiration to Develop Intelligent Humanoid Robots and the Journey of an Alumnus of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, HaUI

"Spend your youth doing the most worthwhile things!" - this is not merely a piece of advice but the life philosophy of Nguyen Quoc Dat, alumnus of Mechatronics Engineering Technology Class 1 - K4, who currently serves as Director of the Application Implementation Division at VinDynamics. Returning to his former school, he brought with him an inspiring story about the spirit of "hands-on" practice - a defining characteristic that sets apart students of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI).

From a Childhood Passion for Robots to the University Lecture Hall

Since he was a child, Nguyen Quoc Dat was captivated by intelligent robotic machines. That passion led him to pursue Mechatronics Engineering Technology at the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, HaUI, at a time when this field was still relatively new in Vietnam. His student years were filled not only with aspirations but also with many challenges. Financial difficulties prevented him from owning a personal computer - an almost indispensable tool for engineering students. Yet it was precisely this situation that honed his spatial thinking and impressive memory - valuable advantages in the field of mechatronics. From his very first year, freshman Nguyen Quoc Dat proactively joined the school's Robocon team to learn how to design and build robots. In subsequent years, he remained dedicated to the teams in the role of simulation designer, and also served as Head of the Inventor Group of the 4C-HaUI Club, directly leading and inspiring the next generations of students.

Nguyen Quoc Dat together with his Mechatronics Engineering Technology Class 1 - K4 classmates and faculty members at the 10th anniversary reunion of their graduation.

The Identity of Students from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering – Breaking Through in the Era of Industry 4.0

When asked about the launchpad that helped him enter and break through in the labor market, Mr. Dat affirmed that the interdisciplinary integrated training program of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering was the key. The Mechatronics Engineering Technology program at HaUI equipped him with knowledge spanning mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, and system programming. According to him, what defines the HaUI student brand is the "hands-on" spirit – learning by doing.

"When it comes to robotics, you can't just stand and watch. You have to get hands-on—build, test, and debug directly on the hardware. It's real-world experience that helps you grow the fastest." This philosophy of learning with practice has helped many HaUI students not only become skilled engineers but also grow into managers, founders, and tech leaders, people ready to face and solve complex real-world problems.

Nguyen Quoc Dat with partners at a VinDynamics activity

The leader behind the projects and journey at VinDynamics.

Currently, serving as Director of the Application Deployment Division at VinDynamics - a pioneering unit in Vietnam in researching, designing, and developing intelligent, safe, and versatile humanoid robot - Mr. Dat's work is a continuous series of challenges. His journey spans from designing the "AI brain" that allows robots to perceive their environment, reason, and make decisions, to providing hardware and electronic solutions, as well as directly deploying robots in the field, maintaining them, and ensuring the system operates with the highest possible uptime.

Nguyen Quoc Dat working alongside humanoid robots at VinDynamics

One of the most memorable milestones in his career was the successful deployment of 1,000 robots in just one year. "At that time, the division had only been established for a year. New people, new processes, everything was in disarray and under extreme pressure. But it was the resilient spirit, the fearlessness in the face of challenges, cultivated during our university years, that helped my teammates and me persevere and push through," Mr. Dat shared.

Nguyen Quoc Dat presenting at a Robot introduction session with partners

Advice from an expert and the aspiration to accompany the next generation

With the rapid advancement of technology, current students of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, HaUI benefit from a system of modern practice rooms and laboratories, yet also face intense competitive pressures. Drawing from his practical experience, Mr. Dat advises: in addition to mastering core knowledge such as design and programming… students should proactively equip themselves with foreign language proficiency and essential soft skills, especially communication skills. Get involved in scientific research activities and technology competitions as early as possible. Furthermore, it is important to participate in early internships at enterprises to gain access to real-world products.

For him, success is not just a personal achievement but also a responsibility to spread value. At VinDynamics, he always prioritizes creating opportunities for HaUI students and alumni, carrying forward the spirit of: "Those who have gone before guide those who come after."

Sincere thanks to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat for his insightful and heartfelt sharing. Wishing you continued success in your journey to conquer robotics technology and bring pride to generations of students at the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, HaUI!

*SOME PHOTOS OF ALUMNUS NGUYEN QUOC DAT – MECHATRONICS ENGINERRING TECHNOLOGY CLASS 1 – K4, SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING, HaUI: