Robocon – A Place Where Teachers and Students Learn Technology Together

In the vibrant atmosphere of the Vietnam Robocon 2025 competition, held in Ninh Binh, alongside the impressive performances of student teams, a familiar yet inspiring image emerges: technical lecturers standing behind their students, supporting them every step of the way. At Robocon, the teacher is not only a guide but also a companion in the journey of technology exploration, where the boundary between “the one who teaches” and “the one who learns” becomes increasingly blurred.

Robocon is not just a contest, but a practical technology challenge.

Unlike theoretical subjects in lecture halls, Robocon presents students with efficient technology challenges that require integrated thinking, encompassing mechanical design, programming, sensors, automated control, and strategy optimization. Each Robocon theme poses an open-ended problem, forcing teams to study, experiment, fail, and constantly improve.

The competition's complexity and interdisciplinary nature make it challenging  not only for students but also  for their teachers. Many lecturers shared that to effectively guide their students, they must also stay up-to-date with new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine vision programming, and advanced sensor modules.

Creating and operating robots that can meet Robocon’s requirements is no easy task.

At leading institutions with strong Robocon teams, such as Lac Hong University, Hung Yen University of Technical Education, or Hanoi University of Industry, discussions between teachers and students often  extend beyond the classroom. Teachers are present throughout it all, from sleepless nights in laboratories to revised mechanical drawings, and lines of code tested and rewritten.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Quy, Vice Rector of Hung Yen University of Technical Education, shared: “Sometimes students are the ones who push lecturers to learn and update their knowledge.  Sometimes students discover  things first, and then both teachers and students explore them further  together. That is the real joy of teaching”.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Quy, Vice Rector of Hung Yen University of Technical Education

At Robocon, the learning model is no longer one-directional. Lecturers and team advisors must also learn new technologies. They do not merely teach, but also act as strategic companions, helping students develop problem-solving approaches and identify applicable technical solutions. Meanwhile, students take on the role of creators, experimenting and taking responsibility for turning ideas into reality. This mutual interaction creates a dynamic and authentic learning ecosystem.

Promoting innovation in teaching and learning methods

Robocon is helping transform the way engineering and technology disciplines are taught. At some universities, participation in Robocon has been  incorporated into training programs as elective modules or interdisciplinary projects. Lecturers are proactively organizing project-based learning models, assigning student groups to design robots from start to finish.

Many educators said that Robocon allowed them to reassess their curricula, determine essential knowledge, identify missing skills, and incorporate technologies to align the curriculum with real-world applications. Minor adjustments in content, assessment methods, and teaching styles have also been piloted and applied.

According to Colonel Hoang Quang Chinh, a lecturer at the Military Technical Academy,   Robocon allows students to apply theoretical knowledge from lectures to real-life practice. It also enhances the teamwork spirit and fosters a passion for scientific research among cadets.

Colonel Hoang Quang Chinh – Lecturer at the Military Technical Academy

After a 14-year absence, the Military Technical Academy returned to Robocon this year with four teams. Colonel Hoang Quang Chinh shared that former Robocon students from the Academy are now working across the country, contributing to peace and national development.

Learning and growing together

Robocon is not only a place  where students can sharpen their technical skills  and where teachers  can renew their pedagogical thinking and rediscover passion for teaching in the digital age. In the journey of building a robot, there are moments of confusion when the machine does not work as expected, or when a new algorithm proves to be a dead end. However, in those moments, teachers and students learn to be patient,  how to find  solutions, and the importance of never  giving  up.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha, Head of the Science and Education Department at Vietnam Television and Deputy Head of the Robocon Vietnam 2025 Organizing Committee, Robocon is not only a creative engineering playground but also an ideal practice environment that helps students develop their thinking skills and prepare for their careers.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha – Head of Department of Special Feature and Educational Programs (Vietnam Television) – representing the Organizing Committee, delivers a speech at the Robocon Vietnam 2025 press conference.

At this year’s Robocon, a team from the University of Transport Technology still brought their robot on stagedespite its damaged circuit. Their teachers did not scold them but gently encouraged them: “We come to Robocon to learn and to connect”. In that moment,  the divide between teacher and student  disappeared, leaving only a shared passion for technology and a spirit of perseverance.

Robocon is not just a robot competition. It is a lifelong learning journey, where educators and learners move  forward together, conquering knowledge and mastering technology. In that journey, no one stands still. Both teachers and students must both  step out of their comfort zones, experiment, learn, and grow together.