The product by expert Samuel Alexander was posted on YouTube in October 2023.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has announced that it will thoroughly investigate allegations that the first-prize-winning project at the 2025 National Science and Technology Competition for high school students resembles a foreign product.

The ministry emphasized that any violations found will be dealt with strictly in accordance with competition regulations and relevant policies.

This year’s National Science and Technology Competition for high school students recognized the project titled “Smart Trash Classification System Integrated with Artificial Intelligence and Sound Sensors” by students Vu Ngoc Anh and Vu Dinh Dang Hien from Nguyen Sieu High School, Hung Yen, as the first-prize winner.

The MOET awarded the prize on March 24 during the closing and award ceremony of the competition for the 2024-2025 academic year.

However, immediately after the competition concluded, numerous reports surfaced, claiming that the winning project closely resembles a product previously developed by Indonesian expert Samuel Alexander. The original product was showcased on the Hackaday.io community platform before the competition.

The smart trash classification system developed by the Nguyen Sieu High School students consists of the following main components: a microcontroller integrated with a sound sensor, a motor to open the trash bin lid, a motor to rotate the trash compartments, and the mechanical parts of the product (trash bin, trash compartments, and surrounding metal frame).

Video of the smart trash classification system integrated with artificial intelligence and sound sensors by Nguyen Sieu High School students (Source: Facebook).

The system’s operational principle is that when trash is placed inside, the sound of the trash hitting the bin edge is analyzed to identify its type, such as paper, plastic, metal, or other materials.

After classification, the control system rotates the corresponding trash compartment to position it under the bin lid, which then opens to allow the trash to fall into the designated compartment.

The foreign product in question, developed by Samuel Alexander, was published on YouTube in October 2023.

Addressing the controversy, Thai Van Tai, Director of the Department of General Education under the MOET, stated: “The MOET has acknowledged the concerns regarding this issue. As this is an open competition, post-competition verification is part of the organizing committee’s responsibilities, and we are actively carrying out this process. If any violations are identified, the MOET and the organizing committee will strictly handle the case in accordance with competition regulations and other relevant rules.”

Hoang Thanh