On the afternoon of September 25, 2026, the University of Danang (UD), Vietnam – Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) solemnly hosted the Grand Finale of the 9th English Talent Competition – ETC 2026. The event marked the culmination of more than seven months of exciting and challenging competition, leaving a strong impression of the intelligence, English proficiency, confidence, and sense of social responsibility demonstrated by students in the digital era.

Overview

In his opening remarks, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho, Vice Rector of VKU, warmly welcomed and expressed his sincere appreciation to the distinguished guests, faculty members, students, and, in particular, the sponsors – Enclave, INTERLINK, and IIG Vietnam – for their continued support of ETC 2026 and their contribution to strengthening the connection between the University, businesses, and students.

Representatives of UD-VKU leadership
express their gratitude to partner organizations

The competition goes beyond being a platform for English public speaking. It provides a space for future digital engineers and graduates to express their aspirations to create solutions that contribute to sustainable development and serve the community. Through ETC 2026, VKU continues to affirm its position as a reputable university in the region and to build a comprehensive learning environment where students can develop professional expertise, soft skills, and a global mindset, empowering them to confidently step onto the world stage.”

The competing teams give their presentations

Launched in 2017, ETC has, over nine annual editions, become a distinctive part of VKU’s academic culture and a strong platform for nurturing student talent. Returning in 2026 with the theme “Innovation, Integration and Inspiration in the Digital Age,” the competition has evolved beyond a conventional academic contest or English-speaking forum into a space where technological knowledge meets profound human values.

Presenting the First Prize

Starting with 460 teams and 1,380 registered students in February 2026, the competition progressed through three challenging rounds – the Preliminary Round, Semifinal 1, and Semifinal 2. The 10 most outstanding teams ultimately advanced to the Grand Finale, where they presented the voices and ideas of young people in response to pressing issues of the times.

Presenting the Second Prize

At the Grand Finale, the 10 finalist teams competed in two exciting segments: Presentation & Rebuttal and Live Debate. The students demonstrated fluent English in their respective fields, together with sharp problem-solving skills, through 10 highly practical technology projects.

Taking souvenir photos

Following the intense competition, the Organizing Committee announced and presented the awards. The First Prize went to D.O.O.M for RESCUE-NET, A Real-time Flood Prediction & Emergency Coordination System. Two Second Prizes were awarded to New Horizons for Da Nang: The AI Future of Southeast Asia and Hashtag for From Heritage to Hashtag. Three Third Prizes went to NOVA, YUNOBALL, and HKV. Four Encouragement Prizes were presented to Unity, THE TRIDENT, Triple Goat, and We Bare Bears. The Most Popular Video Award, selected through voting on the competition’s fanpage, went to HKV.

UD Media

Source: UD-VKU