Boosting ASEAN Professional Engineer Registration in Vietnam

The workshop aimed to disseminate knowledge, share experiences, and promote the registration of ASEAN Professional Engineers, while expanding cooperation opportunities and developing Vietnam’s high-quality technical workforce. The event attracted in-person participation from representatives of the Power Corporation, technical experts, and engineers from enterprises, research institutes, and universities in Hai Phong, as well as online attendees from multiple provinces and cities across the country.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President ofVUSTA, delivered the opening speechat the workshop

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh emphasized: "Promoting the ASEAN Engineering Register (AER) is a key strategy to elevate the standing and competitiveness of Vietnamese engineers in the region. As Vietnam's sole representative in this framework since 1998, VUSTA has actively contributed to AFEO's initiatives while fostering collaboration between engineers and technicians from Vietnam-based organizations and enterprises with the regional and global scientific community. The Union will continue strengthening partnerships with professional associations, businesses, and international stakeholders to further integrate Vietnamese engineers into ASEAN and global networks. These efforts support the implementation of Resolution 57/2024 on advancing science, technology, and innovation, further reinforcing Vietnam’s regional standing.”

Dr. Bui Thanh Tung,Presidentof the Hai Phong City Union of Science and Technology Associations, delivered the welcomespeech

In his online presentation, Mr. Simon Yeong, Head of AER, elaborated on the benefits of ASEAN Professional Engineer registration. ASEAN-certified engineers gain not only professional recognition but also tangible advantages, including regional accreditation, facilitating collaboration with international partners; enhanced career prospects, particularly in cross-border projects or multinational corporations; greater mobility in ASEAN’s labor market amid the bloc’s push for free movement of certified technical professionals; continuous skill development through a structured system of assessment, monitoring, and networking with regional technical experts. As Head of AER, Mr. Yeong urged Vietnamese organizations to support their engineers in obtaining this certification as part of a long-term human capital strategy.

Mr. Simon Yeong, Head ofAER,presented an overview of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations(AFEO)and highlighted the key benefits of ASEAN Professional EngineerRegistration

Also at the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of VUSTA, presented on the Union’s involvement and role in the AFEO, as well as its contributions to the ASEAN Professional Engineer Registration process in Vietnam. Having been an AFEO member since 1988, VUSTA has provided guidance and support for the successful registration of over 700 Vietnamese engineers under this framework.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Head of Science and International Cooperation Department ofVUSTA, sharedinsights at the workshop

After hearing practical insights shared by several engineers registered since 2024, delegates engaged in lively discussions, posing direct questions to Mr. Simon Yeong and leaders of VUSTA on specific issues, including engineer certification criteria; collaboration mechanisms between VUSTA, corporations, businesses, and technical training institutions to promote wider awareness of the ASEAN Professional Engineer Registration process. The workshop highlighted the engineering community’s growing interest in regional integration, raising expectations for enhancing the quality and standing of Vietnamese engineers amid accelerating regionalization and globalization.