Master of Computational Engineering Program, Vietnamese-German University

29/08/2026

📣 COM Public Lecture | Topology Optimization: Letting Mathematics Design Structures 📣

The Master Program of Computational Engineering at Vietnamese-German University (VGU) is pleased to invite you to our COM Public Lecture on Topology Optimization: Letting Mathematics Design Structures.

How should material be arranged to make a structure as strong, light, or efficient as possible? This is the central question of topology optimization, a mathematical method that automatically finds the best way to distribute material within a given design space, subject to loads, boundary conditions, and performance requirements. Rather than a human designer sketching a shape, the computer explores the design space itself and generates optimized, often surprisingly organic-looking structures - the kind widely seen today in aerospace components, lightweight brackets, and even 3D-printed architecture.

So how does the computer actually "think" its way to a great design? Most of the time, it uses gradients - think of them as directional hints that tell the algorithm, at every step, "if you shift material this way, performance gets better." This idea powers some of the most important algorithms in the field, like SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization), evolutionary structural optimization (ESO), the level set method, the phase-field method, and the newer moving morphable components/voids (MMC/V) method. Each one has its own personality and tricks, but they all share the same superpower: using gradient information to steadily shape an empty design space into something optimal.

This talk introduces the core ideas behind gradient-based topology optimization, illustrates how it transforms an empty design space into an efficient structure, and highlights how these methods continue to shape modern engineering design across aerospace, automotive, and architectural applications.

Lecture Details
• Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Speaker: Dr.-Ing. Tran Tuan Minh, Lecturer in Engineering Mechanics, VGU
• Mode: Hybrid (on-site and online)
• Onsite: VGU Hong Ha Campus - 5th Floor, L'Mark Orchard Park View Building - 130-132 Hong Ha, Duc Nhuan Ward, HCMC
• Room: 504
• Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97793863612?pwd=rO16WCFcYs0oZTbuQn9XSxmbvDHcAT.1
• Meeting ID: 920 7763 5548
• Passcode: 955377
• Registration link: https://forms.gle/Cnhr3k3x3vZnwwvaA

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to this public lecture!

20/08/2026

[MEDIA SUPPORT]

DAAD-DLR Research Fellowship Programme

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), offers research opportunities at DLR institutes in Germany for highly qualified international graduate and doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists, and visiting researchers.

🔬 Research Fields

• Aeronautics
• Space
• Energy
• Transportation

🎓 Funding Types, Duration and Monthly Rates

A. Graduate Students
📌 Duration: Up to 9 months
💶 Monthly rate: €992
Additional benefits may include a flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, and family allowances.

B. Doctoral Students
📌 Duration: Up to 36 months
💶 Monthly rate: €1,760
Additional benefits may include a flat-rate travel allowance, health insurance, and family allowances.

C. Postdoctoral Researchers
📌 Duration: 6–24 months
💶 Monthly rate: €2,400

D. Senior Scientists
📌 Duration: 1–3 months
💶 Monthly rate: €2,760

E. PhD/Postdoc Visitors
📌 Duration: 1–6 months
💶 Monthly rate: €1,760 or €2,400
Additional benefits may include health insurance and a flat-rate travel allowance.

📌 Important

Applicants must apply to a DLR institute in Germany. The programme does not fund research conducted at universities or other institutions. The current fellowship opportunities can be found here: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-funding-programmes/dlr/current-offers/

📝 How to Apply

Applications are submitted online via the DAAD Portal. Applicants should search for “DLR” on www.funding-guide.de and select “Submitting an application.”

Please note that some supporting documents may need to be submitted separately by post. Applicants are advised to check the specific fellowship offer for detailed application requirements.

🔗 Full programme details and current fellowship opportunities:
https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=50019749

We hope this opportunity will be of interest to VGU researchers and students who are looking for research opportunities and potential collaboration with a DLR institute in Germany.

Welcome to our scholarship database! Here you will find information about our DAAD scholarship programmes for international students and researchers as well as offers from other selected funding organisations.

10/08/2026

🌋 COM Public Lecture Recap | Engineering Methods in Volcanology 🌋

On 7 August 2026, the Master Program of Computational Engineering at Vietnamese-German University was pleased to host the public lecture “Engineering Methods in Volcanology: How Material Modelling Helps Us Understand the Limitations of Diffusion Chronometry”, featuring Mr. Hendrik Haddenhorst, Ph.D. Student from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.

The lecture explored how mathematical modelling, numerical simulations, and material modelling can be applied to better understand volcanic processes and the limitations of diffusion chronometry.

We sincerely thank Mr. Hendrik Haddenhorst for sharing his research and insights, and all participants who joined us both onsite and online for their engaged participation, thoughtful questions, and interesting discussions throughout the session.

We look forward to welcoming you again at our upcoming COM activities!

07/08/2026

An insightful sharing from Prof. Hackl, former Course Director, CompEng, RUB, about the COM program at VGU.

06/08/2026

🚀 Applications for Intake 2026 - Batch 3 Are Now Open! 🚀

Shape the future of engineering with advanced computational technologies! As industries continue to adopt digital engineering and simulation-driven innovation, the demand for professionals with expertise in computational modeling, simulation, and numerical analysis is growing rapidly. Our internationally oriented Master's Program in Computational Engineering equips you with advanced knowledge in CAE, FEA, and CFD, preparing you for impactful careers in engineering, research, innovation, and doctoral studies at leading universities around the world.

Why Choose Our Program?
🔬 Dive into the Future - Become an expert with in-depth knowledge in CAE/FEA/CFD modeling and simulation to prepare for top engineering careers or Ph.D. training programs all across the world.
🎓 Degree with German Standards - Earn double degrees from VGU & Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB, Germany) under an internationally recognized curriculum.
🚪 Direct Admission - Students admitted through direct admission receive a 100% first-semester tuition scholarship and are exempt from the entrance exam interview.
🇩🇪 Thesis Sponsorship in Germany - Take your research to the next level with the opportunity to conduct your thesis at a German institution, sponsored by DAAD scholarships.
📘 Abundant Scholarship Opportunities Available! - Various scholarships are offered to outstanding applicants to support their academic journey.

📅 Batch 3 Admission Deadline: August 19, 2026
🔗 Apply now: https://bit.ly/4byZOCv
📩 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 0988 62 97 05
🌐 Learn more about the program: https://vgu.edu.vn/en/study-programs/master/compeng

Apply today and take your engineering career to the next level!

03/08/2026

📣 COM Class Experience Recap | Exploring Chladni Dynamics 📣

On 31 July 2026, the Master of Computational Engineering Program at the Vietnamese-German University successfully hosted the COM Class Experience: "Chladni Dynamics - Experimental and Computational Analyses", featuring Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Detlef Kuhl, University of Kassel, Germany.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Detlef Kuhl for sharing his expertise and delivering such an engaging and meaningful lecture. His insightful presentation provided participants with valuable perspectives on finite element analysis, structural dynamics, and the important connection between experiments and computational modeling.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to all students, and professionals who joined us. Your enthusiastic participation, thoughtful questions, and active engagement made the event truly interactive and rewarding.

We are delighted to have shared this inspiring learning experience with all of you and look forward to welcoming you to future events organized by the Master of Computational Engineering Program.

28/07/2026

📣 COM Public Lecture: Engineering Methods in Volcanology 📣

The Master Program of Computational Engineering at Vietnamese-German University is pleased to invite you to our COM Public Lecture on Engineering Methods in Volcanology: How material modelling helps us understand the limitations of diffusion chronometry.

This lecture will introduce how engineering and computational modelling techniques are applied to better understand volcanic processes and improve predictions of future eruptions. Participants will learn about diffusion chronometry, a widely used method for reconstructing the history of volcanic crystals, and explore its limitations caused by the recrystallization of olivine crystals. Through mathematical modelling, numerical simulations, and real-world case studies, the speaker will demonstrate how computational engineering contributes to advancing volcanology and natural hazard research.

Lecture Details
• Date: Friday, 7 August 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• Speaker: Mr. Hendrik Haddenhorst, Ph.D. Student, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
• Mode: Hybrid
• Onsite: VGU Main Campus - Ring Road 4, Thoi An Quarter, Thoi Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
• Room: Lecture Hall – 311
• Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97793863612?pwd=rO16WCFcYs0oZTbuQn9XSxmbvDHcAT.1
• Meeting ID: 977 9386 3612
• Passcode: 724261
• Registration link: https://forms.gle/2x4NSpW6y1quSPFt9

We look forward to welcoming you to this public lecture.

13/07/2026

📣 COM Class Experience: Exploring Chladni Dynamics 📣
The Master of Computational Engineering Program at the Vietnamese-German University is pleased to invite students, researchers, and professionals to a special COM Class Experience featuring Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Detlef Kuhl.

📌 Event Information
• Topic: Chladni Dynamics - Experimental and Computational Analyses
• Guest Speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Detlef Kuhl - Head of Structural Mechanics/Structural Dynamics - Institute of Structural Analysis and Dynamics - University of Kassel, Germany
• Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Venue: Room 503, VGU Hong Ha Campus - 5th Floor - L'Mark Orchard Park View Building – 130-132 Hong Ha Street, Duc Nhuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
• Registration link: https://forms.gle/7YzMVsxCoT5fQqQH6
• Registration deadline: Tuesday, 28 July 2026

🔍 Seminar Overview
More than two centuries ago, Ernst Chladni demonstrated that vibration could produce remarkably intricate geometric patterns by exciting thin plates with sound. These Chladni figures not only revealed the hidden beauty of structural vibrations but also inspired the development of modern computational mechanics and the finite element method.

In this class, Prof. Kuhl will revisit Chladni's pioneering work and demonstrate how these classical experiments continue to shape contemporary research in structural dynamics. Participants will explore both experimental techniques for vibration measurement and computational approaches for simulating structural behavior, while gaining insights into current challenges in finite element analysis, nonlinear dynamics, and realistic structural modeling.

Bridging theory, experimentation, and numerical simulation, this session offers a unique opportunity to discover how a scientific discovery from the 18th century continues to inspire cutting-edge engineering research today.
We warmly invite all students, researchers, and engineering professionals with an interest in computational mechanics, structural dynamics, finite element analysis, and experimental engineering to join this special COM Class Experience.

We look forward to welcoming you on July 31, 2026.

12/07/2026

Chính sách tuyển thẳng với học bổng 100% áp dụng cho các ngành COM, MST, WTE, GPE
Thí sinh dự tuyển vào 4 chương trình đào tạo trên có thành tích học tập xuất sắc có thể được xét tuyển thẳng và miễn thi đầu vào nếu đạt đủ các tiêu chí:

1️⃣Điểm IELTS học thuật 6.0; hoặc TOEFL iBT 60; hoặc đến từ một trong những quốc gia sử dụng tiếng Anh là ngôn ngữ chính thức; hoặc đã tốt nghiệp chương trình đại học hoặc thạc sĩ được giảng dạy và đánh giá hoàn toàn bằng tiếng Anh;
2️⃣Điểm GPA của chương trình đại học tối thiểu đạt 7,80 (thang điểm 10) hoặc tương đương đối với các ngành COM, MST, GPE; và tối thiểu đạt 8,00 (thang điểm 10) hoặc tương đương đối với ngành WTE;
3️⃣Tốt nghiệp đại học các chuyên ngành liên quan;
4️⃣Tốt nghiệp từ các trường đại học nằm trong danh sách quy định.

Xem thông tin chi tiết về quy chế tuyển thẳng cho từng ngành tại https://vgu.edu.vn/vi/admission/master/admission-announcement
Hoặc liên hệ tư vấn:
Email: [email protected]
Zalo/hotline: 0988 629 705

08/07/2026

🎉 COM HPC Hackathon 2026 - Event Recap 🎉

The Master's Program in Computational Engineering at Vietnamese-German University successfully concluded the COM HPC Hackathon 2026, held from 01-03 July 2026 at VGU Thoi Hoa Campus.

During the three-day event, participants learned the fundamentals of High-Performance Computing (HPC) through hands-on training and applied their knowledge in a team-based hackathon, demonstrating their programming, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

We were delighted to welcome talented students from a wide range of universities, including Vietnamese-German University, Eastern International University, Swinburne University of Technology, Sai Gon University, and the University of Technology and Engineering. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and collaborative spirit made this event a truly memorable and successful experience.

🏆 Congratulations to the winning teams!

🥇 First Prize

Pham Khac Uy
Ly Kien Hung
Ngo Minh Chau
Nguyen Le Minh Duy

🥈 Second Prize

Phan Nguyen Phuong Uyen
Nguyen Hoang Long
Nguyen Huynh Quang Thang
Nguyen Quan Vinh

🥉 Third Prize

Dinh Quoc Hung
Nguyen Quang Nhat
Nguyen Duy Khai
Nguyen Tuan Thanh

The COM Program would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh for his outstanding instruction, mentorship, and dedication throughout the training and hackathon. Our sincere appreciation also goes to everyone who supported the organization of the COM HPC Hackathon 2026, including the organizing team, faculty members, staff, and all individuals who contributed behind the scenes.

We hope this hackathon has inspired participants to further explore the exciting field of High-Performance Computing and Computational Engineering while fostering new friendships and collaborations across universities.

Thank you once again for being part of the COM HPC Hackathon 2026. We look forward to your continued participation and active engagement in the upcoming activities and events of the Master's Program in Computational Engineering!