Choosing the right path for Vietnamese AI to go global: A young lecturer’s story

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming one of the key spearhead fields of the global knowledge-based economy. The questions of “what to study, where to study, and and what to do after graduation" have become major concerns for many high school and university students standing at the crossroads of choosing their major and university.

Mr. Bui Xuan Canh serving as a bridge between students and international academic standards

The journey of Mr. Bui Xuan Canh, a young lecturer at LHU, is a vivid example demonstrating that choosing the right educational direction and learning environment can create values that extend beyond the individual. These values not only contribute to the community but also affirm Vietnam's intellectual capacity on the international technology map.

From academic choices to a sustainable professional path

Graduating with a degree in Information Technology Engineering in 2024, Bui Xuan Canh once stood before numerous career opportunities at technology companies with attractive incomes. However, instead of choosing the “fast track” career path, he decided to stay at LHU, pursuing a role as a lecturer, simultaneously practicing his profession and mentoring the next generation.

Mr. Bui Xuan Canh and his students winning top awards at national and international technology competitions

When asked about the foundation that enabled him to develop this capability, Canh shared:

"AI is not merely a technical field; it is a knowledge ecosystem that requires strong fundamentals, independent research capability, and a lifelong learning mindset. It was the practice-oriented training environment, together with research activities and academic platforms at LHU, that gradually helped me build this capacity".

Learning to do – Doing to create value for society

Throughout his years of study and teaching, Bui Xuan Canh and his students have consistently participated in and achieved top awards at numerous national and international technology competitions. Notably, the Your Voice project, an AI-based solution supporting communication for the hearing-impaired, won an award at the Cintana Global Competition (USA). The project was later nominated to represent Vietnam at major international technology awards.

Most recently, Bui Xuan Canh and two of his students made another breakthrough for Vietnam by winning the Silver Award at the Global Best M-Gov Awards. This prestigious international award, organized in 2014 under the World Government Summit in Dubai, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), aims to honor pioneering mobile and digital solutions addressing social challenges and public services.

To date, there has been no official information indicating that any Vietnamese representative has previously received this award. Therefore, this Silver Award in 2026 marks a proud breakthrough for Vietnam’s technology innovation community. The project not only demonstrates strong expertise in AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Computer Vision but also reflects a training approach closely aligned with real-world societal challenges, an approach that today’s technology students particularly need.

From laboratories and lecture halls to international competitions, students are guided to develop problem-solving skills, teamwork, data research capabilities, and practical product development instead of merely stopping at theory.

An educational environment that opens doors to the world

Beyond his personal achievements, Bui Xuan Canh serves as a vital bridge connecting his students to international academic standards through collaborative programs, technology competitions and global expert networks.

The recognition and award for community-focused AI granted to the Your Voice project by the Government of the UAE, as well as its high appraisal by Intel at the Intel Global Impact Festival, serve as compelling evidence of educational quality closely aligned with international integration.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Thanh Hien, Rector of LHU, investing in the development of young lecturers with strong research capacity and mastery of emerging technologies is a long-term strategy aimed at building a high-quality workforce capable of meeting the demands of digital transformation and global integration.

A message to young people at the crossroads of choosing their major

"Choosing a major is not just about selecting a job; it is about choosing a path for the long run. When students learn in an environment that prioritizes practice, research, and humanistic values, they gain the competence and confidence to go beyond their own limits”, shared Bui Xuan Canh.

Canh's story is not merely about the achievements of a young lecturer, but a testament to an educational philosophy: Learning to do – doing to create value, and thereby contributing to society.

In the era of AI and digital technology, young people standing at the threshold of choosing their major or university may need more than rankings or numbers. They need real journeys, real people, and real educational values - precisely what LHU has been steadily building.