Changwon National University and Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute Join Forces to Promote Korea-Vietnam Nuclear Power Industry Synergy

Changwon National University announced that a delegation from the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute recently visited the university for in-depth discussions on the development of Vietnam's nuclear power industry and cooperation plans in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs). The delegation was led by Dr. Phan Viet Cuong, Deputy Director of VINATOM, among others.

The visit came at a time when the Vietnamese government has been comprehensively promoting the introduction of SMRs as a core national energy strategy since 2024. Through the consultations, both sides reached a consensus on close cooperation to strengthen Vietnam's nuclear power technology competitiveness and foster the next-generation SMR industry. In particular, centered on Changwon National University's "SMR² Platform National Research Institute," customized educational programs will be operated for Vietnamese researchers and students, with field training and talent development programs to be promoted in connection with Korea's nuclear power industry.

Both sides also plan to conduct joint research and build test platforms in next-generation core nuclear power technologies, including AI-based autonomous SMR operation platforms and digital twins. Based on the world-class nuclear power design and manufacturing infrastructure of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, they will expand cooperation networks for global SMR supply chain entry and technology self-reliance. Both sides agreed to officially sign a business agreement in October this year at the Changwon National University Asia Office in Hanoi, Vietnam, to fully launch joint research, professional talent cultivation, technology exchange, and industrial cooperation projects. Changwon National University President Park Min-won expressed expectations that the combination of the global nuclear power manufacturing infrastructure of the Changwon National Industrial Complex and Changwon National University's SMR research capabilities with Vietnam's next-generation nuclear power industry strategy will create significant synergy for both countries.