Associate Professor Dr. Le Hong Trang, Head of the Department of Computer Science from the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, at VNUHCM-University of Technology, will join the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project’s Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), from October to November 2024.

During his term at CSUN, Dr. Trang will focus on two pioneering research projects. The first one involves using self-supervised learning in an automated waste sorting system based on computer vision. This research aims to enhance the system’s performance when dealing with new waste types by enabling the system to recognize new data and quickly adapt without retraining the entire model. The second project explores the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), exemplified by GPT-4, as assistant agents in industrial domains such as monitoring and sorting tasks, predictive maintenance, and manufacturing operations. Dr. Trang aims to advance the understanding and application of AI technologies in industrial settings, improving efficiency and sustainability.

In addition to conducting research, Dr. Trang will immerse in the dynamic academic environment at California State University’s Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM (ARCS) by attending seminars, workshops, and conferences in relevant research areas, staying updated on the latest scientific advancements and fostering professional networks. Moreover, he will participate in specialized training sessions and skill-building workshops on AI and data science, seeking to enhance his technical expertise and methodological approaches, empowering him to conduct impactful research.

After completing the program, Dr. Trang will return to Vietnam and share his newfound knowledge and experience with his colleagues, while continuing research and expanding collaborative relationships with scientists at CSUN. This will help promote innovative advancements in academia.

The Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) under the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project supports scholars from (1) Vietnam National University, (2) the University of Danang, and (3) Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City. The goal is to improve the research and teaching capacity of scholars across Vietnam while expanding partnerships with higher education institutions in the United States. In the Summer and Fall of 2024, the VSP will send a total of 21 scholars from Vietnam’s three major public university systems to host institutions in the United States for academic research and exchange experiences.