Mr. William Hieu Nguyen, CEO of IPPTech, has initiated a series of international humanoid robot competitions for high schools, universities, colleges and research institutes across Vietnam.

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution shifts toward embodied AI, humanoid robots are beginning to replace human workers in smart factories around the world. In response to this wave, Mr. William Hieu Nguyen, the youngest son of businessman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, decided to invest in "knowledge infrastructure" through IPPTech.

The Global Humanoid Robotics Challenge (HRC 2026) is one of the flagship initiatives of this investment strategy. As UBTECH Robotics' strategic partner and exclusive distributor in Vietnam, Mr. William Hieu Nguyen aims to bring cutting-edge technology closer to university lecture halls. In his view, mastering humanoid robot technology is an urgent requirement if Vietnam is not to be left behind in the global value chain. It reflects an aspiration to raise the country's intellectual capacity and give students and researchers direct access to the world's leading technologies.

Mr. William Hieu Nguyen, CEO of IPPTech. Photo: IPPTech

HRC 2026 offers prizes worth up to USD 500,000, including cash and premium research equipment packages to strengthen the research and development capacity of higher education institutions. The competition runs from March to June, with an online qualifying round held in a simulation environment across four core tasks: sorting components on a workbench, sorting on a moving conveyor belt, precision assembly to technical specifications, and complete carton packing. The Final Round will take place in China in September. The registration deadline for the qualifying round is April 15.

Kick-off Meeting and the Vision of a Robotics Training Hub

To prepare for the peak competition phase, the organizers will hold an online Kick-off Meeting on the afternoon of April 7. At the meeting, the Expert Council will open the qualifying round and present the operating procedures and technical evaluation criteria in detail. The organizers will also answer questions about the rules directly, helping teams fully understand the roadmap.

"This is an opportunity for Vietnamese students to build an international track record and connect with global technology corporations," Mr. William affirmed.

Through the competition, he aims to make Vietnam a regional hub for robotics training, as the country's young talent is ready.

ROBOG Asia Cup 2026 for Students

IPPTech is also launching the ROBOG competition in Vietnam. ROBOG is a global youth robotics challenge platform founded by UBTECH, one of the world's leading humanoid robot and AI companies. The competition aims to spark a passion for science, nurture technology talent and train strategic thinking among students across Asia. Following the national rounds, the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026 will be organized exclusively by Big Dipper Studio in Hong Kong from June 22 to 25.

The arena is open to students aged 7 to 16, competing in a two-versus-two (2V2) cooperative-competitive format across two featured categories: Planet Action, which focuses on AI applications, automated image-recognition programming and strategic thinking; and Igniting Action, a high-intensity head-to-head battle with 100% manual control that demands mechanical engineering skills and sharp tactical reflexes.

Students learning about the competition. Photo: IPPTech

Beyond the competition, all participating teams will take part in a STEAM course at a Hong Kong university and visit Cyberport, a premium academic space and technology hub that includes a newly opened AI supercomputing center.

Connecting Experts and In-depth Training

Alongside the competitions, IPPTech is supporting delegates from Vietnamese educational institutions to attend the Global Humanoid Robot Education Forum and In-depth Training, held from April 19 to 23 in Guangxi, China. The program brings together experts, lecturers and researchers to discuss AI talent strategies and the process of deploying robots in industrial environments.

For IPPTech, bringing humanoid robots into university lecture halls is a strategic step toward supplying high-quality human resources to major corporations and realizing the digital economy goals set by the Government.