As part of its strategic vision to become an internationally recognized center for education and research, the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, VNUHCM–University of Science is committed to expanding collaboration with leading universities, research institutions, and scientists around the world.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Faculty had the honor of welcoming six distinguished Vietnamese professors and scientists currently affiliated with leading universities, research institutions, and technology corporations worldwide. Through the VNU350 Visiting Professorship Program of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM), these scholars contributed to teaching, research, and academic exchange, bringing international expertise and cutting-edge scientific perspectives to the Faculty.
More than an academic initiative, the program represents an important milestone in the internationalization of higher education. It serves as a bridge connecting the Faculty’s lecturers, students, and graduate students with the latest scientific advances and research practices from around the world.
The visiting scholars are internationally recognized experts affiliated with prestigious institutions, including IBM Research (USA), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (USA), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), National Taiwan University, Tohoku University (Japan), and the University of Namur (Belgium), as well as other leading research centers. Collectively, they have produced more than 595 scientific publications and over 270 international patents, authored numerous monographs and book chapters, and received hundreds of prestigious awards, fellowships, and research honors from internationally renowned organizations and institutions such as NASA, IBM, IEEE, JSPS, MEXT, Tohoku University, and the Institute of Physics (IOP), among others.
Dr. Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng - Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University; Adjunct Professor, VNUHCM–University of Science
Dr. Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng is an expert in materials physics, quantum materials, and two-dimensional materials, with research interests spanning electronic and optical properties, thermoelectricity, Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT), and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the design and discovery of next-generation energy materials.
He has authored more than 70 scientific publications in international journals, conference proceedings, and specialized publications. He is also the author of the monographs Quantum ESPRESSO Course for Solid-State Physics (Jenny Stanford Publishing, 2022) and Thermoelectricity in Quantum Materials (World Scientific Publishing).
His research contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Prominent Research Fellow at Tohoku University (2021–2025), the JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists, the Aoba Society Prize for the Promotion of Science, and the MEXT Scholarship awarded by the Government of Japan for doctoral research.
Dr. Nguyễn Văn Sơn - Principal Research Staff, IBM Research – AI Hardware Research Center, New York, USA
Dr. Sơn Văn Nguyễn is a prominent Vietnamese scientist specializing in nanosemiconductor technologies, semiconductor device fabrication, AI hardware, and system-on-chip (SoC) integration.
He has authored and co-authored more than 170 scientific publications and technical reports, holds over 270 U.S. and international patents, and has contributed three book chapters on thin-film technologies and semiconductor devices.
His technical achievements have earned him nearly 80 awards and recognitions, including the IEEE EDS/IEDM Paul Rappaport Award, IBM Research Division Award, IBM Corporate Technical Recognition Award, four Outstanding IBM Technical Achievement Awards, and 56 IBM Invention Achievement Awards, in addition to numerous innovation awards from Applied Materials and recognition through research programs supported by the Exxon Research Foundation and the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Nguyễn Trọng Hiền - California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA
Dr. Nguyễn Trọng Hiền is a scientist specializing in astrophysics and space science, currently teaching at Caltech and conducting research at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
He has authored more than 190 international scientific publications and has participated in numerous NASA research projects and space-observation missions. His research has made significant contributions to the understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Dr. Lê Bin Hô - Assistant Professor, Tohoku University, Japan
Dr. Lê Bin Hô is an emerging researcher in quantum computing, quantum information, and quantum machine learning, with more than 40 international scientific publications and numerous presentations at specialized academic conferences.
His research achievements have been recognized through a range of prestigious international fellowships and distinctions, including the TI-FRIS Fellowship, Prominent Research Fellow at Tohoku University, JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the MEXT Scholarship awarded by the Government of Japan. He has also been recognized by the Institute of Physics (IOP) as a Trusted Reviewer.
Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Văn Toàn - Associate Professor, Tohoku University, Japan
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Toàn is an expert in MEMS/NEMS, microfabrication, and smart sensing technologies, with a research portfolio comprising 85 international journal publications, more than 110 conference papers, one academic monograph, and numerous international book chapters.
He has received 10 scientific awards and distinctions, including the Electrical Science Promotion Award – Progress Award from the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Best Paper Award, Young Research Award, and several IEEE Research Travel Grants. In 2023, he was also recognized among the Top 100 Outstanding Vietnamese in Japan.
Dr. Phạm Thành Trung - Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Namur, Belgium
Dr. Phạm Thành Trung conducts research on semiconductor materials, graphene, and two-dimensional materials, with more than 40 international publications and a book chapter dedicated to graphene.
His research achievements have been recognized through several prestigious honors and fellowships. These include the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from Saigon Hi-Tech Park, the Vietnamese Government Scholarship for doctoral studies in Belgium, a Research Fellowship in Germany, and Third Prize in the Ho Chi Minh City Science and Engineering Innovation Competition. His work reflects significant contributions to the development of electronic materials and semiconductor technologies.
Strengthening Internationalization through Academic Excellence
The Faculty’s continued engagement with outstanding scientists through the VNU350 Visiting Professorship Program not only contributes to enhancing the quality of education and research at the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics but also reinforces the internationalization strategy of VNUHCM–University of Science. At the same time, it contributes to the development of a highly qualified workforce and fosters innovation and scientific advancement. Through these academic connections, the Faculty aims to further expand international collaborations, establish and strengthen high-performing research groups, increase the number and impact of high-quality scientific publications, and cultivate a dynamic academic environment.
More importantly, these collaborations create valuable opportunities for students and early-career researchers to engage with leading scientists, broaden their academic perspectives, and draw inspiration from the frontiers of science and technology. By connecting local academic excellence with the global scientific community, the Faculty continues to build an environment where the next generation of scientists and innovators can be inspired to pursue new frontiers and reach greater heights in science and technology.