MECA 2026: Bridging students with real-world applications in automation

As higher education increasingly emphasizes hands-on competencies and problem-solving skills, academic competitions are evolving beyond mere selection platforms into dynamic environments where students can experiment with ideas, refine their skills, and engage more closely with real-world demands. The Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation 2026 (MECA 2026) at Hanoi University of Industry stands as a clear example of this transformation.

In the opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of Science and Technology Department, noted that MECA has been organized in Vietnam since 2020 and continues to attract an increasing number of student participants. This year, the university-level round brought together 12 teams from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, reflecting the growing interest in automation among students. He emphasized that the competition is designed to identify outstanding teams while fostering creativity and enabling early engagement with industry requirements. Top-performing teams will advance to the regional round in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2026, with the opportunity to compete in the international final in Japan.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of Science and Technology Department, delivers remarks at the event

This year’s projects demonstrate a clear shift toward addressing practical challenges in manufacturing and daily life. Many teams focused on developing systems such as automated sorting and storage solutions; packaging - weighing - labeling lines; robotic arms integrated with computer vision for identification and classification; integrated production systems; process automation solutions; and smart parking systems in response to rapid urbanization.

All projects are practice-oriented with strong real-world applicability

In addition to the diversity of the projects, these solutions reflect a clear evolution in approach, with a stronger emphasis on optimizing operations, improving productivity, reducing reliance on manual labor, and enhancing accuracy. Most models are developed with real-world deployment in mind, built around scenarios that closely mirror industrial environments. This progression highlights the growing maturity of students’ technological thinking as they engage in competitions such as MECA.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Ngan, representative of Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam, highly appreciated the quality and strong investment demonstrated by HaUI teams

Representing Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Ngan described MECA 2026 as an impressive season, marked by a high number of participants and diverse ideas. While only four awards were presented, she emphasized that the winning teams best matched the competition criteria, rather than indicating significant gaps in capability. Many projects demonstrated serious investment and increasingly systematic approaches, showcasing students’ strong technical competencies. She also expressed hope that teams will continue refining their solutions and participate more actively in future competitions.

Dr. Nguyen Tien Kiem, a member of the judging panel, noted that the differences between teams were minimal, requiring careful deliberation during the evaluation process. “Receiving no award does not indicate a lack of capability; it simply reflects a lower degree of alignment with the judging criteria,” he explained, encouraging teams to continue pursuing their research and further developing their solutions.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong and Ms. Nguyen Thuy Ngan present awards to representatives of the top-performing teams at MECA 2026

At the closing ceremony, the organizing committee announced the winners: First Prize went to SEEE-SPEAR; Second Prize to SEEE-Turtle; Third Prize to HYDRO PEM; and the Consolation Prize to SEEE-AutoMech. The results recognize outstanding ideas and reaffirm the effectiveness of practice-oriented education in developing students’ competencies.