NYU students and VinUni explored “virtual simulations” to shape “real creations”: A Project-based learning model with Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence
February 3, 2026
At the beginning of 2026, VinUniversity welcomed students from New York University (NYU) – Tandon School of Engineering to Vietnam for an academic exchange program led by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Doanh and colleagues from the Institute of Engineering and Computer Science. This marked the second cohort of NYU students participating in a credit-bearing exchange at VinUni, following the successful inaugural course held in August 2024.
The program was custom-designed by VinUni at the request of NYU and included an online learning and research component prior to an in-person academic term at VinUni. During their on-campus experience in Vietnam, NYU students took part in:
– 45 hours of coursework and research: Applying Digital Twin technology and Artificial Intelligence to address sustainable development challenges in Hanoi
– 10 hours of industry immersion: Site visits to Hanoi Metro and VinFast’s Hai Phong manufacturing complex
– 24 hours of cultural exploration and exchange: A series of experiential activities highlighting Vietnam’s rich local heritage
Through the program, NYU students gained first-hand exposure to the sustainability challenges of a rapidly developing city like Hanoi. By leveraging Digital Twin technology, they explored the “virtual world” to propose innovative solutions for the “real world,” contributing to the vision of building smart and sustainable cities.
Beyond technical learning, students broadened their understanding of Vietnam through Vietnamese language classes, a course on Vietnamese History and Culture taught by Professor Jason Picard, and candid sharing sessions on living and working in Vietnam with international faculty members based in Hanoi, including Professor Marc Kramer and Professor Daniel Ruelle.
Learning extended beyond the classroom through site visits to Hanoi Metro and VinFast Hai Phong, where students gained deeper insights into Vietnam’s urban infrastructure development and industrial landscape.
In parallel, students immersed themselves in Vietnamese culture through experiential learning trips to iconic destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Trang An Landscape Complex, Bat Trang Pottery Village, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, among others.
For NYU students, the program was more than an academic course; it was a transformative experience that broadened perspectives and reshaped worldviews. For VinUniversity, the program marked a vibrant start to the new year in international student exchange activities, reinforcing VinUni’s position as a leading academic destination in Vietnam for universities around the world.
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