For The First Time, Times Higher Education Hosts A Strategic Forum On The Global Positioning Of Vietnamese Universities In Collaboration With VinUniversity 

Over the past decade, Vietnam’s higher education sector has come a long way, with more universities appearing alongside leading institutions across Asia and the world in respected global rankings. Yet behind every step forward lies a question that every university leader grapples with:

“How to go beyond just ‘being listed’ to achieving a true global standing?” 

Times Higher Education (THE) – one of the world’s most respected university ranking organizations, has noted that Vietnam is a country with distinct economic and demographic advantages, and that this context is driving the emergence of entirely new, high-potential models of higher education.

In July 2026, Times Higher Education (THE) will hold, for the first time, a strategic forum on the global standing of Vietnamese universities, bringing together representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training. The event is co-organized by VinUniversity.

“From Data to Global Position: Research, Sustainable Development & the Global Presence of Vietnamese Universities”

🗓️ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday, July 15, 2026
📍 VinUniversity, Hanoi

The workshop is built around three core themes:

1. Data and ranking methodology: An overview of the methodology behind the THE World University Rankings and THE Asia University Rankings, alongside a picture of where Vietnamese universities stand relative to peers across Southeast Asia and Asia.
2. Sustainable development: An in-depth session on the THE Impact Rankings – the sustainability ranking drawing growing attention from universities worldwide with an updated analysis of the region’s and Vietnam’s standing.
3. From data to action: A discussion on the role of governance and data tracking in helping improve ranking performance.

The event brings together voices from three perspectives: government, academia, and international ranking bodies:

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy – Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training
2. Dr. Le Mai Lan – President, VinUniversity
3. Ms. Mei Mei Lim – President, Times Higher Education Asia, along with the THE APAC expert team
4. Representatives from Vietnamese universities, joining the discussion to share practical perspectives

THE’s decision to host its first-ever strategic forum in Vietnam marks a significant milestone, reflecting the growing stature of Vietnam’s higher education sector and its readiness to engage directly with the organizations shaping the global higher education landscape. With more than 80 delegates from universities across the country taking part, the event shows this is not the story of one institution alone, but a shared step forward for an entire Vietnam’s higher education system ready to move from observer to architect of its own standing on the world map.