HaUI students win third prize at the Smart City IC Design Competition

On May 17, the final round and award ceremony of the 2nd "Smart City Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Competition 2024" took place in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was jointly organized by the Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, the Department of Science and Technology, and other supporting organizations.

Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quoc Cuong, Deputy Head of the Hi-Tech Park Management Board, shared that this year’s competition attracted 68 projects from 27 universities, academies, and research centers nationwide, an increase of 71% compared to the first season.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quoc Cuong, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park, delivered a speech at the event

According to the organizers, the second edition of the competition made notable strides in both academic depth and practical relevance. Many projects moved beyond traditional IC design to explore interdisciplinary and system-level applications, such as AI accelerators, hardware encryption modules (e.g., ASCON IP, AES-128 IP, NTRU IP), high-speed communication interfaces (BUS IP), and energy harvesting solutions for use in quantum technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, smart transportation, healthcare, and digital transformation.

Remarkably, several projects achieved a completion rate of 60%–90%, indicating their readiness for prototype testing and commercialization. “This is a very positive signal, demonstrating the potential of Vietnam’s young generation of IC design engineers,” said Dr. Cuong.

In the final results, awards were granted to projects that best met three main criteria: product applicability, socio-economic impact, and presentation and defense skills of the project teams.

- First Prize went to the University of Information Technology (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City) for their project on designing a RISC-V microcontroller with integrated hardware encryption, aiming to enhance energy efficiency.

- Second Prize was awarded to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City) for their Digital Camera ASIC project.

- Third Prize was shared by two institutions: the University of Science and Technology (University of Danang) with their AES-128 encryption/decryption IP design on ASICs, and Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) with a project on a Buck DC-DC converter capable of rapid response across a wide load range.

The recognition of HaUI students at this nationally significant competition highlights their strong capabilities in research, innovation, and the university’s growing presence in the field of integrated circuit design and high technology.

Source:Báo người lao động