SMAE AWARD 2025: Bridging design thinking and production reality

In the era of digital transformation and automation trends that are radically reshaping the manufacturing industry, technical training requires more than just design skills; it demands the capability to implement those designs into production. To meet these requirements, the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering (SMAE), Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) held the final round of SMAE AWARD 2025 on the morning of January 26th, 2026. This specialized academic competition provided a platform for students to practice innovative thinking and tackle real-world engineering problems.

The highlight of SMAE AWARD 2025 lies in its emphasis on "inheritance and development." Rather than starting from zero, competing teams were encouraged to analyze, optimize, and upgrade existing designs. This reflects the core thinking of modern engineering, which is continuous improvement thinking.

Overview of the SMAE AWARD 2025 Final Round

Unlike purely theoretical simulations, SMAE AWARD 2025 required students to solve multi-dimensional problems: the feasibility of moving drawings to the production line, selecting appropriate components and technical standards, building a list of materials, and cost optimization. Consequently, students simultaneously honed vital skills such as design thinking, teamwork, technical presentation, and most importantly - implementation mindset in a real-world environment.

At the final round, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tien Dung, SMAE’s Rector, stated that organizing such specialized academic playgrounds is a key orientation to realize HaUI’s strategy of becoming an innovative and sustainable university for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision toward 2035. Competitions like SMAE AWARD not only help identify and nurture high-quality talent but also create an environment for students to exchange knowledge and enhance their creative capacity.

The speech of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tien Dung – SMAE’s Rector

With the mentorship of experts and corporate representatives, the competition followed a project-based learning model. Third and fourth-year students demonstrated their professional competence by defending automation solutions that integrated 3D simulation with rigorous technical analysis.

After an impartial evaluation based on criteria including Idea – Design Quality – Level of Innovation – Implementability, the Jury selected the outstanding winners of SMAE AWARD 2025:

First Prize: Team NU

Second Prize: Team DHH02

Third Prize: Team SynTech 4C and Team Global Inventor

Innovation Prize: Team Imaginative

Application Prize: Team The Creo

Presentation Prize: Team FDS Design

Dr. Nguyen Anh Ngoc - SMAE’s Vice Rector, awarded the First Prize to Team NU.

Dr. Nguyen Van Canh – Director of Smart Manufacturing and Technology Research Center, SMAE, awarded the Second Prize to Team DHH02

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tien Dat – Vice Dean of Faculty of Mechatronics and Dr. Nguyen Trong Mai – Vice Dean of Faculty of Mechanical Technology, awarded the Third Prize to Team SynTech 4C and Team Global Inventor

The Organizing Committee awarded the Innovation Prize to Team Imaginative

The Organizing Committee awarded the Application Prize to Team The Creo

The Organizing Committee awarded Presentation Prize to Team FDS Design

SMAE AWARD 2025 concluded with a lasting impression, inspiring students to dive into practical engineering challenges. This serves as a vital foundation for training a generation of brave, creative young engineers ready to meet the increasing demands of modern industry.

*SOME IMAGES FROM THE SMAE AWARD 2025 FINAL ROUND: