On October 24, 2024, VinUniversity held its Research Townhall, welcoming nearly 50 faculty members to an insightful session focused on the university’s research landscape, funding opportunities, and strategic initiatives. Professor Laurent El Ghaoul led the event, providing a comprehensive overview of VinUni’s current research environment, achievements, and vision for future growth.

The presentation highlighted key elements of VinUni’s research strategy:

• Funding and Achievements: VinUni has made substantial investments to support impactful research, including $13.5 million for the VinUni-Illinois Smart Health Center (VISHC) over 10 years and $12.5 million for the Center for Environmental Intelligence (CEI) over 5 years. Additionally, an Innovation Fund of $1 million annually, managed by the Agile Innovation Center (AIC), and the Seed Grant Program, also providing $1 million annually, was also discussed as a critical support for innovative projects.
• Research Output: Over the past four years, VinUni faculty have published around 750 papers in Scopus-indexed journals. The university has also hosted more than 60 research seminars, conferences, and distinguished lectures, highlighting its commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration.
• Focus Areas: VinUni is committed to addressing pressing global challenges, with a strong focus on healthcare innovation and environmental sustainability.

A significant portion of the townhall was dedicated to the Seed Grant Program for AY 24–25, which aims to support interdisciplinary projects with practical applications. The program includes three funding tiers—Signature, Critical, and Emerging—each tailored to different project scales and potential impacts. This initiative encourages cross-college collaborations, high-quality publications, and prototype development in fields such as personalized healthcare, climate change adaptation, and economic sustainability.

During the Q&A session, Professor El Ghaoul addressed various questions from faculty, including eligibility criteria, funding processes, and the university’s goals for fostering interdisciplinary and applied research. Faculty members expressed enthusiasm for exploring new collaborative opportunities and contributing to VinUni’s vision of becoming a leading research hub.

Additionally, the Pivot RP platform was reintroduced, providing faculty with a valuable tool to identify external funding opportunities.

The event concluded with a call for faculty to actively participate in upcoming research initiatives, reaffirming VinUni’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful societal impact.

Here are some images from the Research Townhall 2024: