– Fostering AI Talents through Informatics Olympiad Sponsorship
6th Informatics Olympiad concluded with record-breaking participation, sponsored by Hanwha Life for the second consecutive year
New Artificial Intelligence (AI) track introduced to foster digital talents for global financial innovation
"Hanwha Life Lecture Series" has empowered local community with digital finance education
Hanwha Life is taking the lead in nurturing the next generation of talent as a returning sponsor of the Vietnam Informatics Olympiad while introducing an AI track. This initiative goes beyond corporate social responsibility as Hanwha Life aims to support the development of AI talents in Vietnam and drive sustainable innovation.
DA NANG, Vietnam, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 6th Informatics Olympiad, exclusively sponsored by Hanwha Life, was successfully held from March 21 to 22 at Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology(VKU). As a premier IT competition, the Olympiad identifies and fosters outstanding talents across Vietnam. The company has been sponsoring this event for two consecutive years, thus strengthening its commitment to regional technological advancement.
Huynh Cong Phap, President of VKU, Hong Jeong-pyo, Senior Executive Vice President of Hanwha Life, and other key officials of the 6th Vietnam Informatics Olympiad pose for a commemorative photo.
This year, the competition garnered significant attention, with a record-breaking number of participants. The number of participating schools surged by 48.3% year-on-year to 525 institutions, while student participation increased by 19.5%, with 2,848 competitors—the largest turnout so far. These figures show the growing interest in Vietnamese IT sector as well as the growing influence of increasing competition. Huynh Cong Phap, President of the VKU and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Le Thi Bich Thuan, Director of Education and Training Department of Danang City, Hong Jeong-pyo, Senior Executive Vice President of Hanwha Life, and Shin Jung Won, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of ChildFund, attended the event to encourage participants and discuss the significance of the competition.
The newly introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) track was an exceptional contribution to this year's event, marking a milestone in the competition's evolution. This aligns with Hanwha Life's vision of promoting AI and digital innovation within the global financial industry. The company has been actively expanding its AI research and business operations, establishing specialized units such as AI Division, AI Research Lab, and Hanwha AI Center (HAC) in San Francisco. These efforts aim not only to drive financial service innovation, but also to enhance personalized digital experiences for customers.
The winner of the AI track, Phùng Nguyễn Như Bách, stated, "I am sincerely grateful to Hanwha Life for providing a platform that showcases Vietnam's AI capabilities on the global stage." Vietnamese participants have made their mark internationally. Last year, the Super Cup champion went to compete in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), securing an impressive two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal.
During the competition, the company hosted "Hanwha Life Lecture Series", providing the participants and residents with insights into global finance and fintech. The event featured a keynote lecture by Jung Yoo Shin head of Korea Digital Economic and Financial Institute and a professor at Sogang University, titled "Digital Finance and Korean Fintech & Best Practices." Through this initiative, the company aimed to enhance financial literacy among local youth and inhabitants, contributing to the development of the Vietnamese financial ecosystem while expanding its future customer base.
Hong Jeong-pyo, Senior Executive Vice President of Hanwha Life, said, "The introduction of the AI track and financial education initiatives are part of Hanwha Life's overseas CSR strategy, 'Future Plus Global.' Through this program, we will strengthen global financial and digital capabilities of local youth. We will also continue to seek out local talents and develop regional financial education infrastructure."
Huynh Cong Phap, President of the VKU and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, added, "Thanks to Hanwha Life's strong support as well as the introduction of the AI track, young Vietnamese have gained a valuable opportunity to grow as future leaders. This competition evolves into an inclusive platform where young talents can showcase their potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background."
Meanwhile, Hanwha Life remains committed to nurturing future talent in Vietnam's finance and ICT sectors through its ongoing phased initiative in collaboration with ChildFund Korea.
Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU):
Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) is a key institution for training talents in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) under Da Nang National University. Established in 2007 as a specialized IT university and supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), it was later upgraded to a 4-year ICT university, recognized for its high level of specialization. It is currently striving not only to become the leading ICT-focused university in Central Vietnam, but also one of the leading universities throughout the country.