ELITECH PROGRAM
Human Higher Education Development Support Project on ICT (HEDSPI)
HEDSPI, part of the ELITECH training initiative, is recognized as the program with the highest average graduate salary among all information technology-related disciplines at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). Approximately 70% of HEDSPI graduates are employed in Japan, and today, the HEDSPI program has become a highly respected and reputable brand within the Japanese labor market.
Within the framework of the Human Higher Education Development Support Project on ICT (HEDSPI Project) – a collaborative initiative between the Governments of Vietnam and Japan, HUST launched the Vietnam–Japan Information Technology Engineer Program (commonly referred to as the HEDSPI Program) in 2006. The program aims to train information technology (IT) engineers whose qualifications are equivalent to those of graduates from Japanese universities.
Since 2021, the HEDSPI program has been restructured into an integrated training model. Upon completion of the bachelor’s phase, students may either graduate with a Bachelor’s degree or continue to pursue an Engineering or Master’s degree through an integrated academic pathway.
After graduation, HEDSPI students are well-positioned for employment in Japan, earning salaries comparable to those of Japanese IT graduates. In terms of Japanese language proficiency, students are taught directly by native Japanese instructors. Moreover, several specialized courses are delivered by professors and experts from leading Japanese universities and corporations. This ensures that students acquire the necessary language skills to work effectively in the Japanese professional environment.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND FINANCIAL AID
Scholarships and financial aid
In addition to the scholarships and financial aid provided by HUST, students enrolled in the HEDSPI Program with strong academic performance have the opportunity to receive merit-based scholarships from alumni foundations, information technology enterprise associations, or major corporations such as Microsoft, Samsung, Vingroup, VNPT, among others.
Furthermore, students with strong teaching or research abilities may apply to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs – supporting faculty in course instruction) or Research Assistants (RAs – collaborating with faculty on research projects conducted within the school’s network of laboratories). These positions offer a monthly stipend of up to 4 million VND, along with an official certificate issued by the university, which serves as a valuable credential for future applications to international scholarship programs. Currently, this is a unique initiative exclusively implemented by the university.
For those pursuing the integrated Bachelor’s–Master’s program, students also have the opportunity to be awarded tuition reduction scholarships from the university, as well as postgraduate training scholarships sponsored by leading domestic and international corporations and organizations.
Student exchange scholarships and internship opportunities
As part of the ELITECH Programs, the HEDSPI Program regularly invites lecturers who are professors from Japan and other countries to teach specialized courses to students. In addition, the collaboration with Japanese universities, such as the University of Aizu, Tokyo University of Technology, and others, provides students with opportunities for academic exchange and early exposure to Japanese-language working environments.
Throughout their studies, students can also participate in internships at more than 200 partner enterprises, many of which are Japanese companies operating in Vietnam. These internships offer valuable hands-on experience in real-world professional settings, helping students bridge the gap between academic training and industry practice.
STUDYING DURATION
- The HEDSPI Program offers two academic pathways: a four-year Bachelor’s program, and an integrated Bachelor’s–Master’s program lasting 5.5 years.
- In addition to its core objective of training students to attain a level of competence equivalent to that of IT graduates from Japanese universities, the HEDSPI program also provides students with the opportunity to pursue further study toward a Engineering degree or a Master’s degree. Moreover, graduates benefit from a wide range of academic advancement opportunities, including Master’s and Ph.D. programs at leading universities in Japan, as well as in other developed countries across Europe and North America.
CONTENTS OF THE PROGRAM
- The curriculum of the HEDSPI Program is developed based on the expertise and experience of both Vietnamese and Japanese professors, and is aligned with Japan’s Information Technology Skill Standards (ITSS).
- ITSS Level 2.5 is set as one program outcome for HEDSPI IT graduates. With ITSS Level 2.5 and relevant experience, graduates are qualified to take on team leader roles (managing 3 to 5 members) in IT projects within the Japanese market.
- HEDSPI program offers two elective modules: 1) Artificial Intelligence and Big Data (AI and Big Data); 2) Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (AIoT)
- Learning outcomes and details of the training program can be found here.
- In addition, students are also trained:
- Soft skills: Graduates are equipped with skills in presentation, teamwork, leadership, and other career-oriented competencies, preparing them to integrate successfully into the Japanese working environment and professional culture.
- Foreign languages: Japanese language training, including technical Japanese, is incorporated into the curriculum with the goal of ensuring that 100% of HEDSPI graduates achieve at least JLPT N3 proficiency. In practice, many students reach N2 level upon graduation, qualifying them to work directly in Japan.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
100% of students have jobs after 1 year of graduation.
Typical job positions:
- Team Leader positions in major Japanese, American, or European corporations, particularly in the context of international IT projects.
- Bridge Engineer roles in leading Vietnamese companies serving the Japanese market.
- Approximately 70% of graduates secure employment with Japanese companies in Japan, with starting salaries ranging from 50 to 60 million VND per month, and in some exceptional cases, exceeding 100 million VND per month.