Vietnam’s first in-person Global HackAtom student competition on nuclear technologies is currently taking place in Hanoi. The event, organized by Tomsk Polytechnic University and the Rosatom State Corporation with the support of the State Specialized Design Institute (part of the Rosatom State Corporation) and the Vietnam Institute of Nuclear Energy (VINATOM), has brought together more than 20 teams from 10 of the country’s leading universities and institutes.

Earlier, Rosatom and Vietnam signed an intergovernmental “roadmap” for the development of nuclear technologies through 2030. It includes, among other things, participation in projects to build the country’s first nuclear power plant and the creation of a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology. In 2025, Tomsk Polytechnic University, with the support of Rosatom, held the first International Open House of Russian Engineering Education in Vietnam in Hanoi.

The hackathon took place at Vietnam’s largest university, Hanoi National University. The main theme of the case study developed by experts was nuclear medicine.

“One of the main focuses of the project to establish the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology is nuclear medicine. Vietnam also has an operational research nuclear reactor, where radiopharmaceuticals are produced, among other things. Therefore, there is great interest and a significant need in the country for both the development of nuclear medicine technologies and the training of relevant specialists. And the primary goal of the event is to show Vietnam’s youth the promising future of nuclear technology development and to overcome certain prejudices,” says Vera Verkhoturova, head of the Scientific and Educational Center for International Nuclear Education and Career Support for International Students at TPU.

The Global HackAtom program is structured so that on the first day, experts delivered a series of thematic lectures to students aimed at introducing them to the topic. Participants were told about various aspects of the production and clinical application of radioisotopes in nuclear medicine, including major achievements in nuclear medicine, nuclear and radiation facilities, technologies for producing medical radionuclides using cyclotrons, and the practical application of radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and treatment of cancer. 

Speakers included Artem Naimushin, Head of the TPU Research Nuclear Reactor, and Andrei Vertinsky, Lead Mechanical Engineer in the Maintenance and Repair Department of the Research Nuclear Reactor’s research nuclear facility.

“Hosting the national stage of the ‘HackAtom’ competition in Vietnam is a crucial step in developing the strategic partnership between Rosatom State Corporation and the Vietnam Institute of Atomic Energy. Such initiatives allow us to identify talented students and young professionals who will in the future become part of the team promoting peaceful nuclear technologies,” noted Ilya Vergizaev, General Director of Rosatom Technologies Construction. “We expect that the winners and prize recipients of the competition will eventually join the team at the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, which we are currently developing, and help strengthen Vietnam’s scientific and technical potential.”

On the second day, the teams presented their solutions to a practical case study to an expert jury. The students worked on projects in the field of nuclear medicine, including the application of artificial intelligence, remote monitoring, patient flow management, and personalized diagnostics.

In addition, a key part of the Tomsk Polytechnic University delegation’s working visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the university and Tung Thien Secondary School in Hanoi.

“The agreement aims to foster students’ interest in science and mathematics education, as well as to increase their interest in pursuing engineering careers while continuing their studies at Russian universities,” adds Vera Verkhoturova.

It is specified that the parties agreed to organize, at the school, popular science, career guidance, and scientific-educational events led by TPU experts on STEM fields in general and on the non-energy applications of nuclear technologies in particular.

TPU experts also delivered a popular science lecture for students and teachers on the possibilities of non-energy applications of nuclear and radiation technologies, including in the fields of nuclear medicine and agriculture.