On August 7th, 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training, in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City Open University organised the National Scientific Conference with the theme: “Developing universities into strong research entities, closely integrating research, application, and training”. The event served as a national academic forum to specify the major orientations for the development of science, technology, and innovation in the context of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Political Bureau, as well as the Government’s key strategies on digital transformation, university autonomy, and high-quality human resource training.
The conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Phuc – Deputy Minister of Education and Training, as well as representatives from the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment; Dr. Senior Lecturer Le Xuan Truong, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Open University. The event also gathered leaders of national higher education institutions, along with numerous scientists, experts, lecturers, and media representatives, demonstrating strong attention to the development of research universities focused on innovation.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Senior Lecturer Le Xuan Truong – Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Open University, affirmed that the University is determined to pursue the research-application university model, in which training, scientific research, and knowledge transfer are the three closely connected pillars. Through this conference, the University aims to further enhance research quality, expand academic and practical cooperation, and actively contribute to the innovation process in higher education.
The conference focused on solutions to strengthen the integration of research and training in universities, highlighted through presentations from various institutions:
The Department of Information Technology – Ministry of Education and Training presented a draft proposal titled “Developing universities into strong research entities”, outlining objectives, roadmaps, and comprehensive support solutions for universities.
Hanoi University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Vietnam National University shared its model of collaboration between universities and institutes in health sciences training, combining medical research and innovation at central hospitals and specialised laboratory ecosystems.
University of Science and Technology – University of Danang presented its strategy to become a strong research entity in the Central Highlands region, focusing on three areas: research capacity, organisational modernisation, and expanded international cooperation.
Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HUTECH) introduced its research-application university model, emphasising the commercialisation of research products and fostering a student startup ecosystem.
The discussion session was vibrant, with many contributions centring on key factors for developing universities into strong research entities, including flexible financial mechanisms for research, policies to attract and retain high-quality scientists, governance models aligned with university autonomy, and stronger links among universities, enterprises, and the government.
In his closing speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Phuc – Deputy Minister of Education and Training, highly appreciated the presentations and discussions, requesting relevant units to review existing challenges of universities in becoming strong research entities. He also addressed the need to reassess the status of leading research teams and propose solutions to foster a new generation of young scientists.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc also urged units to reconsider financial mechanisms and current investment resources to design appropriate policies and remove bottlenecks for sustainable university research development. He also emphasised that universities should proactively expand cooperation to diversify resources, improve research quality, stay updated with global science-technology trends, and develop research ecosystems closely linked to practical needs.
The conference concluded with clear orientations and commitments to practical action, contributing to the sustainable development of the higher education system and advancing the country’s socio-economic progress.
Article: Khanh Ly
Photos: Khoa La, Minh Khanh
Translate: May Sabai Hmu