UTC – MINH DUC – OVM: Establishing a Strategic Alliance to Advance Innovative Transportation Infrastructure Technologies

On May 11–12, 2026, a delegation from the University of Transport and Communications (UTC), together with Minh Duc Construction Group, paid an official visit to and held working sessions at the headquarters of OVM Group in Liuzhou City, Guangxi, China. The visit marked an important milestone in concretizing a strategic partnership model linking the University, a domestic enterprise, and a leading international technology partner.

The position of the Strategic Partners

OVM Group is a leading company in China’s prestressed engineering industry, with a 60-year history of development. OVM currently operates in nearly 90 countries, providing an integrated range of solutions covering research, design, manufacturing, and construction monitoring. Its expertise is particularly recognized for cable systems, anchorage and bearing systems, and structural monitoring equipment for major infrastructure projects worldwide.

Minh Duc Construction Group is a reputable and experienced company in Vietnam specializing in the construction of prestressed structures. In the domestic market, Minh Duc is currently OVM’s exclusive representative for bridge cable systems, including stay cables, suspension cables, and main cables, making significant contributions to the development of major bridge projects. 

The delegation from the University of Transport and Communications included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Secretary of the University’s Party Committee; Dr. Trinh Quang Khai, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Development Studies; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Van Minh, Director of the Department of Innovation and Technology Transfer. Representing Minh Duc Construction Group was Mr. Tran Dai Nghia, General Director. Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation on behalf of OVM Group were Mr. Chen Yu Peng, General Director, together with leaders of the International Department and the Technical Center.

Strengthening Cooperation and Supporting Education and Training

Representing the University of Transport and Communications, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Secretary of the University’s Party Committee, and Mr. Chen Yu Peng, General Director of OVM Group, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation. The MoU establishes the framework for jointly developing the “Network of Centers of Excellence for Advanced Smart Transportation and Infrastructure Technologies,” with UTC serving as the coordinating institution. In particular, OVM has committed to sponsoring a scholarship program worth VND 500 million for UTC students during the 2026–2030 period. The initiative aims to support the development of highly qualified human resources for the transportation and infrastructure sector.

Key Research and Technical Priorities for 2026–2027

The UTC–Minh Duc–OVM three-party alliance has signed a specific action plan outlining key scientific and technical priorities aimed at addressing engineering challenges in Vietnam:

Durability Research: Assessing the service life of structures in marine environments.

Development of High-Load-Bearing Structures: Applying new technologies to critical infrastructure systems and railway projects.

Laboratory (LAB) Development: Establishing facilities for structural monitoring and testing to support major projects, such as high-speed railways.

Smart Prestressing Technologies: Researching and developing next-generation prestressing systems.

Geotechnical Engineering: Addressing large deformations in soft ground and improving the stability of structural slopes.

Field Visit and Traditional Heritage Education

The delegation visited OVM’s R&D Center and modern manufacturing facilities, where they directly examined a range of products meeting international standards for high-speed railway applications.

As part of the working visit, the delegation also visited the historical site in Liuzhou where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1943 to 1944. There, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong wrote a commemorative message expressing profound gratitude and affirming the University’s collective commitment to learning and research in order to advance Vietnam’s transportation sector to international standards, while further strengthening the enduring friendship between the two countries.

The working visit opened up a practical pathway for connecting academia with advanced manufacturing technologies. The close collaboration among UTC, Minh Duc, and OVM is expected to generate advanced infrastructure solutions, contributing to Vietnam’s readiness for an era of high-speed railway development and modern transportation infrastructure.

ICDS