A university is not just a place to teach and learn. It can also be common ground, where people from different countries, cultures, professions and viewpoints sit together, listen and speak frankly about different problems. At FPT University this common ground opens regularly: from international tech competitions and academic conferences to speaking and debate arenas for young people.

Global Hackathon 2026: when different perspectives meet at FPT University

In September 2026, FPT University (HCMC) hosted Global Hackathon 2026,  three days of connection and creativity with young people from Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, India, Vietnam and beyond. Of 24 teams, 9 reached the final to pitch, demo prototypes and defend their solutions before the judging panel. Teams worked in a multicultural setting on real problems, such as study support, helping international students adapt to cultural differences, and connecting young people of two countries through language and culture.

FPT University (HCMC) hosted Global Hackathon 2026.

The Consul General of Singapore in HCMC joined the final, praising the programme’s value in building connections and hoping for more Vietnam–Singapore exchange. As the programme put it: ‘From different countries, cultures and perspectives… differences gradually become understanding, and distance gives way to new connections.’ Our university acted as a neutral host, creating space for everyone to share ideas confidently and debate openly.

Singapore Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City speaks at Global Hackathon 2026.

International academic forum: FPT University hosts the EAI FISAT 2026 conference

FPT University is the host of the EAI FISAT 2026 international conference (FPT International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Advanced Technologies), organised with the European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) and scheduled for 25–27 November 2026 at the HCMC campus, with proceedings published by Springer. It is expected to gather more than 150 researchers and experts from Vietnam and abroad — an open forum for academia, industry and practitioners to critique and debate intelligent systems and emerging technologies, including contested questions such as AI and the human role.

Speaking and debate arenas: a safe space for young people to voice their views

For young people, a ‘safe space’ starts with being able to speak honestly without fear of getting it wrong. The English Speaking Competition (ESC), an annual contest run by the Skillcetera skills and language club, has held three seasons (“Unlock Your Potential”, “Break The Norm”, “Find Your Flow”), attracting more than 300 contestants from over 20 universities and colleges nationwide.

Tech X Camp also welcomes students from specialised high schools to experience, exchange and discuss technology on campus.

These arenas train students to reason, listen and respect differing views, the foundation of any mature public dialogue.

Conclusion: FPT University as a neutral host connecting different perspectives on shared challenges (SDG 16)

From an international hackathon and a scientific conference to speaking contests, our university is building a habit of opening its doors for different perspectives to meet — in a respectful, open and neutral space. Step into that common ground: where you can speak, be heard, and work with others on the challenges of our time.