FIVE UNIVERSITIES FROM VIETNAM AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC COLLABORATE TO ORGANIZE A DRONE COMPETITION

Vietnam Aviation Academy, along with four other universities – Ton Duc Thang University, the Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Tomas Bata University (Czech Republic), and the University of Danang – University of Science and Technology (Vietnam) – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-organize an international Drone competition.

On the afternoon of November 21, the launching ceremony of the first International Drone Competition (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – UAV) took place at Ton Duc Thang University.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Trần Trọng Đạo, Rector of Ton Duc Thang University, highlighted that drones are a modern technology widely used in various fields, including military, transportation, agriculture, and logistics. The research, design, and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles have become a hot topic of interest for organizations, businesses, and startups worldwide.

Dr. Nguyễn Thị Hải Hằng, Director of the Vietnam Aviation Academy, gave a speech at the event

This is an annual technology and engineering innovation competition for students and doctoral candidates from universities both in Vietnam and internationally. The competition is jointly founded and supported by Ton Duc Thang University, the Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Tomas Bata University (Czech Republic), the University of Danang – University of Science and Technology (Vietnam), and Vietnam Aviation Academy.

At the event, the Vietnam Aviation Academy, Ton Duc Thang University, the University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Tomas Bata University (Czech Republic), and the University of Danang – University of Science and Technology (Vietnam) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly organize the competition.

The competition provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in areas such as model design, programming, AI, image analysis, as well as other soft skills (collaboration, teamwork) in real-world scenarios. It also serves as a great opportunity for partner organizations to expand research collaborations, establish joint research teams focused on drones specifically, and promote broader cooperation in science and technology.

At the ceremony, the theme and competition rules for 2024 were approved by the founding members: Navigate and Drop – Find the target and drop the object. The goal is to develop a drone system that allows sensor modules to be dropped onto specific targets. Five targets will be created on the ground, each with a diameter of 100 cm, with increasing levels of difficulty. The task for the competing drones will be to drop an object onto the target from a predefined height, aiming for the highest possible accuracy upon impact.

According to the plan, the first competition will be held in Ho Chi Minh City in June 2024, and subsequent competitions will take place in the Czech Republic or other countries.