On the morning of September 6, 2025, the organizing committee of the Kaggle Korean OCR competition had the special opportunity to meet with Professor Chung. The meeting took place at HCMUT – VNPT Lab, where we discussed and finalized many important aspects of the competition for students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.
During the discussion, both sides reached key agreements on competition regulations, the structure of prizes, the number of teams advancing to later rounds, and even a new opportunity for teams outside the top 10 in the preliminary round to still qualify for the final. The schedule for both rounds, along with the addition of a presentation segment in the final round, was also confirmed. Other important details, such as the dataset, evaluation criteria, and the choice of an online GPU platform suitable for Vietnam, were carefully analyzed to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all participants.
After the meeting, Professor Chung graciously invited the group to lunch at Pizza 4P’s. Over a warm meal featuring the restaurant’s signature crab spaghetti, lava cake, tiramisu, and other delicious dishes, students introduced him to Vietnamese cuisine and daily life, while also sharing recommendations for must-visit destinations like Nha Trang and Da Lat. In return, Professor Chung openly shared stories about his work and life in the U.S., as well as his expectations and hopes for the outcomes of this competition.
The meeting ended with joy and optimism. We, the URA organizing committee, sincerely hope the competition will run smoothly, bringing valuable experiences to all participating students and fulfilling Professor Chung’s expectations. As he prepares to return home tomorrow, we wish him a safe flight and look forward to welcoming him back to Vietnam in the future for more exciting experiences together.