Faculty of Information Technology Launches ICProjects 2026 Competition

AI for Social Impact - Applying Artificial Intelligence to Address Real-Life Challenges 

In line with the applied university orientation that connects education with practical implementation, entrepreneurship, and international integration, the Faculty of Information Technology, Lac Hong University, has officially launched the ICProjects 2026 Competition under the theme AI for Social Impact.

ICProjects 2026 is a key academic and applied activity of the Faculty, aiming to promote learning through practice and to enable students to engage with real-world challenges faced by society and businesses through the application of artificial intelligence. The competition seeks to develop students’ capacity to design and implement AI projects following international standards, encompassing mindset, methodology, practical applicability, and sustainable development.

ICProjects 2026 Roadmap and Awards

Linking Education with Application, Entrepreneurship, and Global Integration

Aligned with the development strategy of Lac Hong University, ICProjects 2026 is organized under the applied university model, placing real-world problems at the center of learning activities. The competition encourages students to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation capacity, from idea generation and solution design to real-world deployment models.

At the same time, ICProjects 2026 adopts international thinking frameworks and methodologies, closely linked to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The competition promotes an interdisciplinary learning approach, connecting Information Technology students with those from Economics, Business Administration, Media and Communication, E-commerce, and related fields. Project evaluation is not solely based on technical performance, but also emphasizes problem-solving capability, feasibility, scalability, and the social impact of AI solutions.

Lecturer Nguyen Minh Phuc guiding students in problem identification and AI project ideation during the ICProjects 2026 Kickoff and Workshop 1.

Workshop 1 - Laying the Intellectual Foundation for Applied AI Projects

Within the framework of the competition, Workshop 1: Training on Problem Identification and Solution Design was organized to support students from the initial stage of project development. The workshop plays a critical role in shaping students’ mindset and methodology toward applied and sustainable AI project implementation.

During the workshop, students were guided to adopt the correct approach to AI project development, starting from people and social issues rather than technology itself. The training content introduced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an international reference framework for selecting appropriate problem domains, while also equipping students with Needs Assessment techniques to identify the gap between current conditions and user expectations.

In addition, students were instructed on analyzing stakeholders, data sources, and social contexts to ensure project feasibility in real-world deployment. Through the analysis of both successful and unsuccessful case studies, the workshop helped students recognize common pitfalls in AI applications and better understand the role of technology in addressing genuine community needs. The workshop also introduced an internationally recognized project workflow consisting of Empathy, Define, Data, and Prototype (MVP), providing a solid foundation for teams to further develop their projects in subsequent competition rounds.

Lecturer Nguyen Minh Phuc guiding students during the ICProjects Workshop 1.

17 Teams Officially Participating in ICProjects 2026

As of now, ICProjects 2026 has officially recorded the participation of 17 teams, reflecting the proactive learning spirit, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset of Lac Hong University students.

The participating teams include: ASI_ACTIVE, Red Flag, 24CT112, Aqua Flow, FlameGuard AI, Cà phê sữa, VMKAN, LH-Wingman, Chiến Thần Lạc Hồng, ADLEY NEWGEN, Code Storm, LH - Default, Ms.AI, BuildTogether, LHU's Children, Tiểu đội xe không kính, and The TechForce.

Coming from various academic disciplines, these teams clearly demonstrate an interdisciplinary spirit, diverse perspectives, and a strong orientation toward practical application, in line with the educational philosophy of Lac Hong University.

ICProjects 2026 - A Learning Journey Linked to Practice and Future Careers

Through ICProjects 2026, the Faculty of Information Technology aims to equip students with the ability to implement AI projects in real-world contexts, enhance teamwork skills, strengthen entrepreneurial thinking, and foster connections with industry partners. The competition also lays the groundwork for promising projects to further develop into products, applied research, or startup models in the future.

ICProjects 2026 is not merely a competition, but a comprehensive academic, applied, and entrepreneurial journey that contributes to realizing Lac Hong University’s vision of an applied university with strong international integration.

Students are encouraged to follow the official website and fanpage for updates on the competition roadmap, upcoming rounds, and related activities.

Website: https://icprojects.lachong.edu.vn

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/cnttlhu