Chancellor of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City Highlights Three Key Demands for Strengthening Research Groups

Tue, 24/10/2023 - 16:39

In a directive issued during the seminar "The Role of Strong Research Groups (SRGs) in the Development Strategy of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City for the 2021-2030 Period, Vision to 2045," held on the morning of October 19 at HCMC-NU's Executive Center, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Chancellor of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, outlined three crucial requirements for advancing SRGs at the institution.

Firstly, he urged the Research and Development Board and scientists to propose policies addressing procedural and financial challenges related to research activities. Secondly, he emphasized the need for member schools within Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City to formulate recruitment plans and specific developmental pathways, enticing young and outstanding scientists to join the workforce. Lastly, he stressed the importance of researchers producing specialized reports on practical societal issues, including human, cultural, and healthcare aspects, in addition to scientific publications, inventions, and innovations.

"I hope that in the next 5-10 years, we will announce distinctive products worthy of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City. These products might not necessarily require publications but must receive long-term investments," Chancellor Vu Hai Quan emphasized.

Former Chancellor of VNUHCM, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thanh Binh, commended the three points raised by Director Vu Hai Quan, emphasizing their relevance to SRGs. To implement these directives, he proposed several recommendations, including the need for Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City to develop specific strategies for SRG growth. He also suggested that SRGs should establish research paradigms, create new research groups, and work as cohesive teams toward common goals, rather than operating as individual units.

In his concluding remarks, Professor Dr. Tran Linh Thuoc, President of the Director of Education and Research Council of VNUHCM, announced plans to sustain the activities of SRGs to leverage the benefits of mechanisms recognized in Government Decree 109. He also revealed that VNUHCM would review proposals related to interdisciplinary research programs to select tasks aligned with the university's direction and efficiently utilize available funding.

The seminar featured two presentations: "Conditions for Establishing SRGs and Proposals and Recommendations" by Professor Dr. Phan Bach Thang, Director of The Center for Innovative Materials and Architectures, and "Current Status and Development Plans for SRGs at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City " by Associate Professor Dr. Lam Quang Vinh, Director of Department of Science and Technology VNUHCM