{"id":719,"date":"2017-05-10T16:20:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T09:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fme.hcmut.edu.vn\/en\/?page_id=719"},"modified":"2025-10-31T15:41:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T08:41:07","slug":"heat-and-refrigeration-engineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fme.hcmut.edu.vn\/en\/heat-and-refrigeration-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Heat and refrigeration engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. General introduction of the Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

Department of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering (HRE), under the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) \u2013 Vietnam National University, is\u00a0one of the leading training and research units in Vietnam<\/strong>\u00a0in many fields of thermal engineering such as: air conditioning, mechanical and electrical engineering, industrial refrigeration, boilers, combustion chambers, drying, thermal power plants, renewable energy (wind turbines, solar energy, etc.), energy saving and efficiency, etc. With an educational philosophy aimed at developing students into complete individuals in terms of intelligence, skills and personality, the Department constantly strives to affirm its leading position.<\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s mission is to train high-quality technical human resources with the ability to to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment, effectively contributing to the development of the fields of thermal engineering, refrigeration, energy conservation and renewable energy in Vietnam. In addition, the Department always closely combines training with scientific research and technology transfer, playing an important role in promoting related activities domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s training program is comprehensively developed at all three levels:\u00a0Bachelor, Master and Doctor<\/strong>. The teaching staff is a great strength, including Professors, Associate Professors, Doctors and Masters who are well-trained, have rich teaching experience and have many scientific research achievements. Notably, more than 80% of the lecturers have PhD degrees from prestigious universities in the world such as Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria and Korea. Every year, the Department\u2019s teachers regularly participate in scientific research topics at all levels, write articles published in domestic and foreign scientific and technological journals as well as participate in presentations at many scientific conferences and directly train many technical training courses for Enterprises. In addition, through the network of alumni and enterprises that has been developed closely and deeply with the Department, many scholarship award ceremonies, seminars introducing professions and technologies are held every year attracting the participation of a large number of students majoring in Thermal Engineering, thereby helping them improve their knowledge, skills, and understanding more about the profession and upcoming development trends in the jobs they will undertake after graduation.<\/p>\n

Graduates of the Thermal Engineering Program have solid professional skills and are able to work in a variety of fields from industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, agricultural and food drying, to thermal power, steam systems, renewable energy and energy management. The demand for human resources in the industry is huge, as demonstrated by the fact that students of the Department are always sought after by leading corporations such as Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Taikisha, Arico, etc. Many alumni of the major are currently holding key positions in companies or have established their own businesses operating in the fields of design consulting, construction contracting, maintenance and repair\u2026 of mechanical \u2013 thermal \u2013 electrical \u2013 refrigeration \u2013 air conditioning systems operating across the country. Several typically companies are: SolarBK, BKG, Enerteam, First Green, Hong Nhut Boiler, \u2026<\/p>\n

2. History of formation and development<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Department of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering (HRE) was officially established on January 22, 2002. This is the department responsible for training in Thermal Engineering for all levels of training from undergraduate, graduate to PhD of the University of Technology \u2013 Ho Chi Minh City National University.<\/p>\n

However, historically, it can be said that the Department of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering is one of the few departments that was established earliest at HCMUT and has gone through many different names. Chronologically, if counting from April 30, 1975, the history of HRE can be divided into 3 main stages as follows:<\/p>\n

2.1 Period from April 30, 1975 to 1986<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Formation and Foundation Stage (After 1975)<\/p>\n

The predecessor of today\u2019s HRE is the\u00a0Department of Heat & Fluid Mechanics<\/strong>, established right after April 30, 1975 on the basis of merging lecturers from Phu Tho Technical Academy (former name of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology) and lecturers with similar expertise transferred from the North. In the first phase, the department gathered staff from two main sources. Local sources including Mr. Nguyen Thien Tong, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Sang, Mr. Tong, Mr. Thang, Mr. Tam and Mr. Nhan. The team from the North was reinforced with Mr. Le Que Ky, Mr. Tran Thanh Ky, Mr. Hoang Dinh Tin, and later Mr. Pham Duy Hong and Mr. Nguyen Ha Thanh. From this time,\u00a0Dr. Le Que Ky<\/strong>\u00a0was appointed as Head of the Department and Mr. Nguyen Thien Tong as Vice Head. A few years later, when Professor Nguyen Thien Tong transferred to the newly established Department of Fluid Mechanics, the Department of Heat & Fluid Mechanics was renamed the Department of Thermal Power & Industrial Heat, continued to be led by Dr. Le Que Ky.<\/p>\n

Overcoming difficulties and affirming the pioneering role<\/p>\n

In the general difficult context after 1975, the department faced a shortage of human resources and teaching materials. However, this was the period when the pioneering role of the department was clearly demonstrated. As the first unit in the southern provinces to train engineers specializing in thermal equipment, the department not only shouldered the huge teaching load at the school but also effectively supported other schools such as Nong Lam University and the HCMC University of Technology and Education.<\/p>\n

An outstanding strength of the department during this period was possessing a strong force of PhDs including Dr. Le Que Ky, Dr. Tran Thanh Ky, Dr. Pham Duy Hong, Dr. Nguyen Thien Tong and Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh. Along with that, the source of teaching materials for Thermal Engineering is very abundant thanks to textbooks on Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Drying techniques were compiled by Mr. Hoang Dinh Tin and Mr. Le Que Ky, later there were additional books on Boilers by Mr. Tran Thanh Ky. These documents not only serve the school but also become a valuable learning resource for the whole region. It can be said that the three lecturers Le Que Ky, Tran Thanh Ky and Hoang Dinh Tin are the ones who laid a solid foundation for the development of thermal engineering in the southern provinces.<\/p>\n

Changes in Team Structure and Development<\/p>\n

During the period 1978 \u2013 1980, the department received a number of young staff, including Mr. Nguyen Nhut, Nguyen Tan Phuong, Nguyen Son Hai, Nguyen Van Tuyen and Le Chi Hiep, creating a potential next generation.<\/p>\n

On September 15, 1978, an important turning point took place when the\u00a0Faculty of Power Engineering<\/strong>\u00a0was established by separating the three departments of Thermal Power & Industrial Heat, Automobile\/ Tractor, and Construction\/Loading Machinery from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The first Board of Directors of the Faculty of Power Engineering included Dr. Truong Minh Ve (Dean of the Faculty), Engineer Tran Van Khang and then Engineer Hoang Dinh Tin (Vice Dean of the Faculty).<\/p>\n

After Mr. Tran Van Khang transferred his job, Dr. Le Que Ky was appointed as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dynamics. At this time, Dr. Pham Duy Hong took on the task of the Head of Department. By the end of 1981, the Faculty of Power Engineering was dissolved and merged back into the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. During this period, Dr. Pham Duy Hong held important positions such as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Materials Department.<\/p>\n

In addition to training activities, the lecturers in the department also actively participate in technology transfer activities, contributing to solving many practical problems of society. The two people who organize and direct these activities are Dr. Tran Thanh Ky and Dr. Le Que Ky, affirmed the role of connecting training, research and community service of the department right from the first days of its establishment.<\/p>\n

2.2 Period from 1986 to 2002<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Realizing the growing need for technology transfer while the Department had no legal status, Mr. Tran Thanh Ky campaigned to establish a specialized science and technology organization. As a result, in 1986, the\u00a0Research Center for Thermal Equipment and Renewable Energy (RECTERE)<\/strong>\u00a0was officially established, separated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and directly under the University.\u00a0Mr. Tran Thanh Ky<\/strong>\u00a0was appointed as the Director of RECTERE. This is a pioneer in the region from the Central region to the South of Vietnam that operates in both thermal equipment and renewable energy fields, inheriting the initial research on solar and wind energy of Mr. Tran Thanh Ky and Mr. Nguyen Thien Tong.<\/p>\n

The period from 1986 to 2002 is considered the boom period of technology transfer activities carried out by RECTERE. The Center\u2019s mark spread throughout the southern provinces, from manufacturing new equipment, repairing, maintaining to training operation. The main product line and brand of RECTERE are small and medium industrial boilers, along with many other special products such as high pressure centrifugal fans, cold dryers, salt water pumps, solar water heaters\u2026<\/p>\n

Dr. Tran Thanh Ky is the one who has the greatest contribution in building the reputation and brand for the Thermal industry, while Mr. Nguyen Nhut (Head of Workshop C3) and Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen (Deputy Head of Workshop) are the ones who directly and effectively implement these activities.<\/p>\n

Since 1991, RECTERE has promoted the development of Renewable Energy, becoming the leading unit in the country in the 90s. Typical are the wind engine product lines chaired by Ms. Duong Thi Thanh Luong and the solar water heating system installed by Mr. Le Chi Hiep.<\/p>\n

Along with technology transfer, training has also undergone important changes. Previously, the program only focused on \u201cHeat\u201d. To meet the needs of society, RECTERE coordinated and then took over the \u201cRefrigeration Engineering\u201d field from the Faculty of Chemistry, and around 1994-1995, officially introduced the Air Conditioning subject into teaching. This change has shaped the comprehensive Heat \u2013 Refrigeration training program as it is today.<\/p>\n

This period also witnessed a boom in human resources with the reception of many young staff from domestic and foreign universities, and changes in the team of PhDs. The Center added Dr. Le Chi Hiep, Dr. Hoang Dinh Tin, Dr. Nguyen The Bao, but also said goodbye to Dr. Nguyen Thien Tong (transferred to other department), Dr. Pham Duy Hong (retired) and especially the great loss when Dr. Le Que Ky passed away in 1989.<\/p>\n

Many members of the Center were also appointed to important positions and received noble titles. Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Ky held the position of Vice Rector (1989-1992) and was awarded the title of Excellent Teacher (2000). Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Dinh Tin also received the title of Excellent Teacher (1994). Dr. Le Chi Hiep held the positions of Head, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Relationships of the University for many years.<\/p>\n

2.3 Period from 2002 to present<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the university\u2019s policy, the\u00a0Department of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering<\/strong>\u00a0was officially established on January 22, 2002 with the goal of promoting postgraduate training and scientific research. In the first phase, the RECTERE center still existed in parallel, but all personnel were transferred to the new Department with\u00a0Mr. Le Chi Hiep<\/strong>\u00a0as the first Head. In terms of organization, the Department returned to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the undergraduate training program was restructured according to three main orientations: (i) Heat engineering, (ii) Refrigeration & air conditioning engineering, and (iii) Energy efficiency & renewable energy engineering.<\/p>\n

One of the greatest and pioneering marks of this period was the development of postgraduate training. Faced with the urgent needs of society, Dr. Le Chi Hiep presided over the project and in 2002, the Department enrolled the first Master\u2019s course in Thermal Engineering. This was the first master\u2019s program in the Southern provinces, becoming the \u201ccore\u201d for training high-quality human resources. Many master\u2019s students later completed their doctoral programs and returned to become core lecturers for the Department such as Dr. Vo Kien Quoc, Dr. Phan Thanh Nhan, Dr. Huynh Phuoc Hien\u2026<\/p>\n

In terms of personnel, the Department is constantly supplemented with young lecturers and PhDs trained abroad such as Dr. Nguyen Van Tuyen, Dr. Bui Ngoc Hung, Dr. Ha Anh Tung. At the same time, the achievements of the teaching staff are also widely recognized: Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Dinh Tin was awarded the title of People\u2019s Teacher (2010), Mr. Le Chi Hiep was awarded the title of Excellent Teacher (2008) and recognized as Professor (2010), Mr. Nguyen The Bao was recognized as Associate Professor (2018).<\/p>\n

This period also witnessed remarkable growth in international cooperation and business connections. This relationship brought many valuable scholarships to students, modern practice rooms sponsored by businesses (Coteccons, Daikin, Takisha, Samsung, Panasonic), and opportunities for internships and graduation projects closely linked to practice. The pinnacle of this development was the Department\u2019s successful accreditation of its training program according\u00a0to AUN-QA standards<\/strong>\u00a0in 2018, affirming its quality at the regional level.<\/p>\n

Since 2018, under the leadership of the new Head of the Department,\u00a0Dr. Ha Anh Tung<\/strong>, community engagement activities have been promoted. The HCMUT Heat & Refrigeration Alumni Association and the Alumni Scholarship Fund were established in 2019, creating a strong \u201cDepartment \u2013 Students \u2013 Enterprises\u201d ecosystem. Students of the Department have also continuously achieved high awards in national and international academic competitions.<\/p>\n

Along with training, scientific research activities and technology transfer is also a strength. Lecturers are often in charge of specialized training courses for businesses and carry out many research projects ordered by major domestic and foreign partners such as LG (Korea), GIZ (Germany), Daikin (Japan), PECC2 (Vietnam). In addition, the Department is also promoting a number of research directions in the field of Renewable Energy such as: improving the efficiency of solar panels, designing and manufacturing small-capacity wind turbines with 100% localization rate, researching new biofuels\u2026<\/p>\n

Thus, it can be said that throughout the 50-year historical journey from the Department of Thermal and Fluid Mechanics, the Center for Research on Thermal Equipment and Renewable Energy to the current Department of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering, although some teachers have passed away, some have changed jobs or retired, all lecturers of the Department are united and wholeheartedly devote all their efforts to training the next generation, continuing the good achievements that previous generations have left behind.<\/p>\n

3. Strengths and outstanding activities of the Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Thermal Engineering Program at the University of Technology (VNU-HCM) has affirmed its position as one of the prestigious and historic engineering training programs. developed for 50 years (up to 2025) in Vietnam. The program is proud of its outstanding strengths, creating a comprehensive learning and research environment for students. Some of the strengths and outstanding activities of the Department of Heat an dRefrigeration Engineering \u2013 the management unit of the Thermal Engineering program can be mentioned as follows:<\/p>\n