Van Lang University's scientists have broken into the top 9 Vietnamese representatives at LIF GLOBAL 2026

Committed to the goal of training closely linked to applied research, Van Lang University always strives to contribute practical values ​​to the development of society. Recently, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Thuong Luu - Vice Dean of the Faculty of Automotive Engineering, officially be in the top 9 Vietnamese scientists selected to participate in LIF Global 2026.

LIF (Leaders in Innovation Fellowships) Global is a program implemented by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK, focusing on enhancing the capacity of innovators and supporting the commercialization of initiatives to address socio-economic challenges. Aiming towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the 2025-2026 phase of LIF Global brings together innovators from five countries: Brazil, India, Jordan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

With the project “AI-Driven Pedestrian Safety Simulation for Safer Mobility in ASEAN”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Thuong Luu focuses on solving the problem of traffic safety in the context of increasing and complex vehicle density. The core objective is to protect human lives, especially pedestrians, through two parallel technological solutions:

• The development of pedestrian assistance devices involves sensors that detect approaching vehicles, thereby providing warnings and activating safety protection when a collision is imminent.
• Improvements to the car's frame structure aim to ensure that pedestrians are not injured in low-speed collisions (below 40 km/h).

Thanks to its practicality and profound humanistic values, the project has excelled and become one of the nine outstanding representatives from Vietnam to receive commercialization sponsorship from the Organizing Committee. Notably, the project's realization process will involve the direct participation and collaboration of Master's students in Automotive Engineering from Van Lang University.

According to the roadmap, by June 2026, the most promising projects will participate in an in-depth business trip to the United Kingdom. This is a strategic opportunity to engage in dialogue with leading investors and technology partners, aiming to refine technical solutions and seek resources to expand into international markets.

At the Faculty of Automotive Engineering of Van Lang University, the trend of applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been deeply integrated into core courses such as Automotive Design and Calculation, Automotive Construction, Electrical and Electronic Systems, and Automotive Automatic Control. This innovation helps students gain early access to real-world technology, understanding how to apply AI to solve complex engineering problems instead of just learning theory.

Furthermore, the experiential learning environment at Scientific Research Club and Automotive Club is always emphasized by the Faculty and the University. The effectiveness of this model is confirmed by the achievement of Second Prize at the “Innovation Festival for Automotive, Motorcycle, Electric Vehicle, and Supporting Industries” (Autotech & Accessories 2024) with the project “Research on simulating car collisions” carried out by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Thuong Luu and his colleagues (Mr. Pham An Binh, Mr. Pham Cao Anh).

Based on these practical achievements Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Thuong Luu believes that every profession brings practical value to life. He encourages students to boldly propose ideas when they have them, because the experienced faculty at Van Lang University are always ready to “fuel their passion”. He believes that as long as the project stems from a purpose of serving the community, students will always find partners to realize their ideas.

News: Khanh Huyen
Photos: Department of Admissions and Communication