On the occasion of the Ho Chi Minh City celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Uyen, a lecturer at the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications of the International University at the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, was honored among nine educators for their significant contributions.
After many years working at NASA, the American space agency, he surprised many in 2008 when he decided to return to Vietnam to teach and pursue a career in applying technology to agriculture.
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Uyen at the Microwave Laboratory of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications of the International University at the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VOH.
The hallmark of his mission is adapting technology to the needs of Vietnamese farmers.
Upon his return, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Uyen chose to work at the International University of the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City to teach and conduct research in the field of electronics and telecommunications.
One of his most notable approaches is linking academic research to practice. He actively seeks collaborative models to integrate student research topics into experimental environments.
Noticing the lack of advanced technologies in the country’s agriculture, he embarked on a project to bring modern technologies to farmers in Quang Trung Software Park.
Initially, the task proved challenging as automated systems, even with locally adapted software to reduce costs, remained unaffordable for most manufacturers. This failure marked a turning point in his thinking: instead of imposing existing models, he focused on research and development to create customized technological solutions tailored to the specific needs and economic requirements of each unit.
One of Dr. Uyen’s most remarkable achievements is his mastery of microwave drying technology. Despite initial limited experimentation, once finalized and implemented, this system proved exceptionally effective for drying shrimp and dried shrimp paste, featuring unique and unprecedented characteristics. Additionally, he successfully solved a problem for seed export companies by eliminating fungal parasites while preserving the viability of seeds worth up to $40,000 per kilogram.
Dr. Uyen’s creativity is also evident in his “democratization” of modern drone technology. In banana plantations spanning up to 1,000 hectares in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, he used sensors on drones to precisely detect the exact location of plants suffering from water scarcity due to clogged drip irrigation systems – a task previously difficult for farmers to manage.
Furthermore, he flexibly applied spectroscopic technology to help companies identify counterfeit alcohol, fake fertilizers, or distinguish real from fake medicinal herbs like Centella asiatica, thereby bringing transparency to the market.
From an ice cream vendor to an inspiring doctor for the younger generation.
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Uyen’s childhood was marked by difficult years following liberation when the economic situation remained very precarious. At seven years old, while starting first grade, he would go to school during the day and sell ice cream at night to help his family. He had little time to study, but every year, he ranked among the top ten students in his class.
Life became increasingly difficult. At 14, his mother took him and his younger sister out of Vietnam. The days spent in the refugee camp were a significant period, where education remained the top priority.
“Duri…
