VinUniversity Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City: Driving Development and Advancing Research Collaboration

On April 21, 2025, VinUniversity and Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2025–2030 period. Accordingly, the two parties aim to establish joint research groups focusing on science and technology to drive development and tackle the nation’s critical issues.

VinUniversity delegation visits VNUHCM campus and member universities

Leveraging the strengths of both sides

Prior to the signing ceremony, the VinUniversity delegation visited the VNUHCM urban campus and several of its member universities. Dr. Le Mai Lan – VinUniversity’s President of the University Council – expressed her strong impression of the green, modern, and friendly environment of the VNUHCM campus. In addition, she highly appreciated the quality of training and research at VNUHCM, as demonstrated by the dedicated faculty and dynamic, talented students.

The President of VinUniversity’s University Council was particularly impressed by the Advanced Research and Innovation Center project currently under construction, expected to be completed within 11 months. Dr. Le Mai Lan also noted that the VNU350 program, which aims to recruit outstanding young scientists and leading experts to work at VNUHCM, is an initiative worth learning from.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan – President of VNUHCM – expressed his expectation that through this collaboration, both sides can focus on investing in and developing leading academic fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and data science. These are key disciplines serving the country’s development needs.

Dr. Le Mai Lan – VinUniversity’s President of the University Council and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan – President of VNUHCM look forward to the sustainable expansion and development of the collaboration in the future

He further expressed his hope that following the signing, the two sides would soon pilot several specific collaborative programs or establish joint research groups, building on each side’s strengths and resources. Through the implementation process, both parties can evaluate effectiveness, draw lessons learned, and lay the foundation for sustainable expansion and development of the collaboration in the future.

Fostering innovation and driving development

Representing both institutions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan and Dr. Le Mai Lan signed the MOU, hoping to effectively leverage the potential and strengths of each party to establish excellent joint research groups. These groups will focus on science and technology fields such as artificial intelligence and big data, contributing to the advancement of innovation. The goal is to create momentum for development and provide solutions to urgent national challenges in areas such as public health, climate change, green transition, and digital transformation.

As part of the cooperation between VNUHCM and VinUniversity, both parties agreed to implement key activities in two main areas: scientific research and international collaboration; education, quality assurance, and accreditation.

Both sides agreed to implement key activities in two main areas: scientific research and international collaboration; education, quality assurance, and accreditation.

In terms of scientific research and international collaboration, the two parties agreed to establish excellent joint research groups, bringing together faculty and researchers from member and affiliated units of VNUHCM and VinUniversity. These groups will focus on cutting-edge science and technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, big data; green economy, digital economy (including quantitative finance, smart transportation, digital media); green transition, digital transformation; public health, and climate change. The research teams will jointly develop proposals and implement scientific projects aimed at solving key national development tasks.

Alongside that, the two sides will implement exchange programs for faculty and scientists to support joint research and educational activities; organize international student exchange programs to enhance academic experience; and promote the internationalization of education. Additionally, both sides will co-host domestic and international conferences and workshops, while sharing library resources and laboratory infrastructure to support research.

The MOU takes effect from the date of signing and is valid for a duration of 5 years.

In the field of education, quality assurance, and accreditation, VNUHCM and VinUniversity will invite faculty from both sides to participate in teaching, serve as adjunct lecturers, join academic councils, and organize training sessions, seminars, and workshops. Both parties will share experiences in developing quality assurance policies, fostering a culture of educational quality, and collaborating on university rankings, benchmarking, and governance. Regular thematic seminars and workshops will also be organized to encourage knowledge exchange in these areas.

The MOU takes effect from the date of signing and is valid for 5 years. Both parties are responsible for reviewing and allocating resources to implement the cooperation content in a manner appropriate to the context and timing.