The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology establishes strategic partnership with KORAIL to advance railway training and research

On the morning of May 28, 2025, the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology (DUT) and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) was held at DUT. The cooperation focuses on human resource development and applied research in railway technology. This event marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between one of Vietnam's leading engineering universities and one of the most advanced railway operators in the world. 

Panorama of the signing ceremony

Attending the ceremony from KORAIL were Mr. Kim Won Eung - Executive Vice President, Mr. Park Sung Min - Deputy Director, Ms. Bae Mi Yeon - Deputy General Manager, Mr. Kang Hyeon Soo - Deputy General Manager, and Mr. Jo Joon Hyun - Manager. 

From DUT, participants included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu - Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai - Vice Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Cong Thuat - Head of Academic Affairs Department, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Trung Hieu - Deputy Head of Science and Technology and International Cooperation Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hoang Nam, and Dr. Tran Thi Phương Anh - Vice Dean of Faculty of Bridge and Road Engineering. 

Also present was Mr. Dang Hieu Dan - Director of Da Nang Railway College Campus. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu - Rector of DUT delivered a speech

In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu - Rector of DUT, emphasized: 
"The cooperation between DUT and KORAIL will be a sustainable foundation for high-level human resource training while promoting applied research and technology transfer in the railway sector – for a modern and sustainable Vietnam." 

As a national key technical university with over 50 years of development, DUT currently has over 17,000 students enrolled in various engineering, technology, and industrial management programs. Notably, DUT has played a pioneering role in training high-quality human resources for major transportation projects, including railways – a core component of Vietnam’s sustainable infrastructure development strategy. 

Mr. Kim Won Eung – Executive Vice President of KORAIL - shared detailed cooperation plans with DUT

Starting in the 2025 academic year, DUT will launch a new program: “Transportation Engineering – Major in High-Speed and Urban Railway Construction”, developed based on the experience of railway-advanced countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Germany, while integrating local Vietnamese contexts. Furthermore, the university plans to develop related majors such as railway operation management, locomotive and rolling stock mechanics, railway signal and communication systems, aiming to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for modern railway education. 

Under the MoU, the two parties agreed to promote practical and effective cooperation activities, including: 

• Joint development of training modules tailored to real-world railway industry needs; 

• Implementation of internship programs and faculty-student exchanges; 

• Co-establishment of simulation labs and application research centers; 

• Joint research on smart railway systems, safety and risk management, green energy, and emission reduction in railway transport. 

The MoU was successfully signed

Key collaboration activities defined in the MoU include: 

• Development of technical training programs, particularly in high-speed and electrified railways; 

• Participation of KORAIL experts in teaching, academic exchanges, and organization of specialized workshops and courses; 

• Joint research and project implementation on smart operation, railway traffic safety, green energy, and emission reduction; 

• Establishment of simulation labs, applied research centers, and sharing of specialized academic resources; 

• Student and faculty exchange programs to give Vietnamese students access to professional environments and advanced Korean railway technologies; 

• Formation of a Joint Committee to coordinate activities and implementation roadmap. 

Exchange of souvenirs

KORAIL currently operates the largest railway network in South Korea, including the KTX system (Korea’s high-speed rail technology), which reaches speeds of over 300 km/h. KORAIL has extensive expertise in railway operation and digital transformation. This collaboration with DUT is part of KORAIL’s international outreach strategy within the Vietnam High-Speed Railway Human Resource Development Plan 2025–2030, coordinated with Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR). 

Group photo

At the end of the ceremony, representatives of KORAIL and DUT expressed strong confidence in the future development of this partnership, contributing to high-quality human resource training for the railway sector and supporting Vietnam’s strategy for a modern and sustainable transportation network. 

News and photos by: Learning Resources and Media Center, The University of Danang -University of Science and Technology