Two weeks after its opening on July 28, the third International Summer School of Observational Astronomy (3SOA) 2025 officially concluded at Tay Nguyen University.

Far more than just a training course, the event reaffirmed Vietnam’s position as a reputable regional center for astronomy education, marking a new chapter in the nation’s space science journey.

It brought together more than 30 leading experts from nine countries, including Japan, Germany, Chile, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to inspire 45 students from Vietnam, Japan, and the UK.

The success of 3SOA 2025 signals a shift: cutting-edge science no longer has to be confined to major cities.

With well-planned investment, locations like the Central Highlands, blessed with superb observation conditions and vast open skies, could become Vietnam’s Silicon Valley of space science.

According to Associate Professor Le Duc Niem - Vice Rector of Tay Nguyen University and Head of the Summer School’s Organizing Committee - the event demonstrated Vietnam’s ability to host world-class scientific activities and opened countless future collaboration opportunities.

The highlight of the program was its project-based learning approach - a revolutionary method in this field.

Rather than dry theory, students engaged hands-on with data from leading global space telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, a 10 GHz radio telescope, and a low-frequency interferometer.

This hands-on approach is a critical step in building the next generation of skilled personnel ready to operate Vietnam’s future space projects and observatories.

Associate Professor Nguyen Luong Quang, representing the SAGI Astrophysics Group (IFIRSE/ICISE), emphasized the role of data in modern science: “Modern astronomy is data science. Those without programming and analytical skills will be left behind.”

Guided by Dr. Nguyen Binh (University of Washington, USA), students wrote Python code to analyze the transmission spectra of exoplanets - a key skill in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shih-Hao Wang (ASIAA, Taiwan, China) introduced students to Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and trained them to simulate and analyze the signals.

Beyond sharing knowledge, 3SOA reflected the trust and connection that international experts place in Vietnam’s young scientists.

Dr. Bringfried Stecklum from the Karl Schwarzschild Observatory (Germany) was deeply impressed by Vietnamese students: “They not only absorb knowledge but are also willing to challenge and dig deep into problems. That is the most important quality of a scientist.”

The visiting experts came not just to give, but also to receive. Dr. Binh Nguyen (University of Washington, Chile), who is processing data from the James Webb Space Telescope, sees his trip to Vietnam as an investment in the future: “Some of these students could well become my colleagues. I’m here to find those future collaborators.”

Hosting a high-caliber event like 3SOA 2025 shows foresight. Rather than sending young scientists abroad, Vietnam is inviting the world to come here.

This strategy not only trains large numbers of talented individuals locally but also offers domestic scientists opportunities to gain direct exposure and build networks.

As Dr. Bringfried Stecklum noted: “You are not just building people; you are building a reputation. Next time there’s an international collaboration project, we will certainly think of partners in Vietnam.”

Every international expert who leaves becomes an “ambassador” for Vietnamese science. From the highlands of Tay Nguyen, a strong message has been sent: Vietnam is ready to be an active and responsible player on the world’s scientific stage.

Training a young aerospace engineer costs $197,000-236,000, yet on returning home they earn just $275-315 per month. This, shared by Associate Professor Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of the Vietnam Space Center at a recent event, highlights the significant challenges in attracting talent back to work in Vietnam.

Du Lam