On January 20, 2026, Phenikaa University held a working meeting with Critica Limited, an Australian essential minerals company, to discuss orientations for research collaboration in rare earth refining technologies and the training of high-quality human resources in this strategic field. The meeting emphasized strengthening the linkage between academic research and industrial demand, with the goal of developing solutions that are technically feasible and scalable in real-world applications.

Representing Phenikaa University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung Kien, Vice Head of the Department of Science and Technology, highlighted the university’s strong focus on materials and processes with multi-sector applicability, spanning water treatment, energy, environmental technologies, and functional materials for biomedical and industrial applications.

Within this framework, the Applied Electrochemical Laboratory (AECLab) of Phenikaa School of Engineering was identified as a core research unit in rare earth refining technologies. The group concentrates on electrochemical and sustainable chemistry–based approaches, ranging from the development of intermediate products such as rare earth carbonates and oxides to advanced solutions for the separation of individual rare earth elements, one of the most critical challenges facing the rare earth industry today.

Technical discussions during the meeting demonstrated that the Phenikaa research team is progressively optimizing refining processes to reduce chemical consumption, enhance recovery efficiency, and improve scalability. These efforts aim to narrow the gap between laboratory-scale research and industrial deployment, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable essential minerals supply chain.

As one of 40 talented candidates who passed many international interview rounds, Tran Hoang Quan was fortunate to be selected to participate in the Tokyo Internship program. This is a fully sponsored program, from visa costs to living expenses and travel expenses in Japan.

During his internship at Yamashita Densou Company, a company operating in the electronics field, Quan had the opportunity to experience a professional working environment. The company's main business is to produce solar cell quality testing equipment and semiconductor material defect detection equipment. All equipment is designed by the company itself, from design, electronic circuits, to the assembly process of each smallest part, to the finished product.

Here, Quan was trained in several important skills, including the use of 2D and 3D design software, direct participation in soldering electronic components onto circuit boards, and performing product quality inspection steps before the product left the factory.