"Resolution 57 opens up a new development space for research universities"

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Dao, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW not only demonstrates the strong political determination of the Party and the Government in advancing science and technology, but also ushers in a new development phase for research-oriented universities. For Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), this serves as an important foundation to further promote innovation, develop strategic technologies, and enhance research capacity in line with international standards.

On the occasion of Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18), Khoa hoc pho thong Magazine had a conversation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Dao – President of Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) – regarding the University's strategy for science and technology development, the establishment of an international research environment, and the implementation orientation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW at TDTU.

Science, technology, and innovation are key pillars

In the context of higher education increasingly emphasizing research and innovation, what policies has the University implemented to promote international scientific publications?

TDTU identifies science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as core foundations in its strategy to develop into an internationally standardized research university. Therefore, over the years, the University has implemented comprehensive policies to build a professional research environment for lecturers and scientists.

The University focuses on investing in modern research infrastructure, developing strong research groups, supporting research funding and international publications, while expanding academic cooperation with prestigious universities and research institutes worldwide.

In addition, TDTU prioritizes research with practical applications linked to socio-economic development needs and strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), semiconductor technology, advanced materials, digital transformation, and renewable energy.

In your opinion, what factors have contributed to the recent growth in both the quantity and quality of the University's scientific publications?

I believe the results stem from three fundamental factors that the University has consistently developed over many years.

First is the University's long-term and consistent development orientation, viewing scientific research as the foundation for improving educational quality and enhancing international academic standing.

Second is the highly integrated academic environment. Currently, TDTU maintains an extensive collaboration network with universities and research institutes worldwide. Nearly 200 visiting professors, affiliated professors, and international lecturers are participating in research, teaching, and collaboration activities at the University, including many scientists ranked among the world's top 1%.

Third is the systematic investment in research infrastructure and support mechanisms. The University has developed 11 strong research groups, invested in specialized laboratories and high-performance computing systems, and established interdisciplinary research centers aligned with practical demands and emerging technology trends.

Thanks to this orientation, TDTU's scientific research activities have achieved remarkable progress. To date, the University has published more than 13,850 papers indexed in WoS and Scopus journals. The proportion of Q1 publications has continuously increased over the years and reached nearly 50% of total publications in 2025, while papers ranked in the top 1% by discipline account for approximately 8%.

In addition, the University has been granted 15 patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), along with numerous other patents and utility solutions applied in practice.

An international academic environment is essential for scientific development

What specific support mechanisms does the University currently provide for lecturers and researchers to conduct research and publish internationally?

TDTU has implemented a comprehensive support system for lecturers and scientists.

In terms of resources, the University allocates a substantial budget for scientific research activities, invests in laboratories, scientific databases, and facilities for specialized research.

At the same time, TDTU focuses on developing high-quality scientific personnel based on academic titles, degrees, H-index indicators, and citation impact, while also implementing reward policies for scientists with outstanding research achievements.

The University also strengthens cooperation with universities ranked among the world's top 500 and expands its international affiliated professor network.

Academically, TDTU regularly organizes and co-organizes international scientific conferences such as AETA, ICFE, I-CAS, CUTE, and AsiaPharm. These conferences serve as academic forums gathering scientists from both Vietnam and abroad, helping lecturers and researchers expand international research collaboration.

Notably, TDTU currently develops two English-language scientific journals. Among them, the Journal of Information and Telecommunication (JIT) is the first and only Vietnamese journal in the field of Computer Science indexed in both Web of Science and Scopus in the Q1 category.

In 2025, the University also established the Institute of Advanced Technologies in Hanoi and the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer to strengthen connections among the University, the Government, and enterprises, while promoting technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes.

At the same time, TDTU places special emphasis on student scientific research activities, particularly in strategic technology fields such as AI, UAVs, and data science. The University initiated the International UAV Competition in 2024, and its student UAV team recently won the championship title at the UAV PV GAS Cup 2025.

Resolution 57 promotes innovation and digital transformation in universities

How does Resolution 57-NQ/TW influence the University's orientation for science, technology, and research development?

Resolution 57-NQ/TW holds great significance for higher education institutions, especially those pursuing the research university model.

For TDTU, the Resolution provides an important strategic orientation and policy framework for universities to strengthen their central role within the national science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

The spirit of the Resolution also aligns with TDTU's long-standing orientation of linking scientific research with innovation, technology transfer, and the country's practical development needs.

In the coming years, the University will continue focusing on strategic technology fields, promoting the "University – Government – Enterprise" collaboration model, enhancing applied research capacity, and strengthening international integration in science and technology activities.

What challenges is the University facing in promoting scientific research and increasing international publications?

Currently, international competition in publication quality, research capacity, and participation in global academic networks is becoming increasingly intense.

In addition, developing high-quality research personnel, particularly in cutting-edge technology fields such as AI, semiconductors, and high-tech industries, requires strong mechanisms for attracting, training, and retaining talent.

Moreover, scientific research requires long-term investment, while the current financial mechanisms for science and technology still need to become more flexible to enable universities to maximize their autonomy and creativity.

In the context of growing global academic competition, pressure also serves as a driving force for universities to innovate more strongly in governance, research quality, and international integration capacity.

What goals has the University set for the coming years to further improve research quality and academic reputation?

In the next phase, TDTU remains committed to its strategy of developing into an internationally standardized research university, with science, technology, and innovation continuing to be priority areas.

The University will continue investing in strong research groups, expanding international collaborative research groups, interdisciplinary research centers, and specialized laboratories, while strengthening cooperation with leading universities, research institutes, and technology enterprises.

Besides increasing the number of high-quality international publications, TDTU also places strong emphasis on improving applied research quality, promoting technology transfer, and commercializing research outcomes to serve the community and businesses.

Furthermore, the University will continue prioritizing strategic technology fields such as AI, UAVs, digital transformation, semiconductors, biotechnology, and data science, thereby contributing positively to Vietnam's science, technology, and innovation development goals in accordance with Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo.

Closing remarks

Thank you very much, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Dao, for this insightful interview. The perspectives shared by TDTU's President not only reflect the University's commitment to advancing science and technology but also demonstrate a clear vision of the role research universities play in Vietnam's national science and technology ecosystem.

Author: Cong Chuong

Source: Khoa hoc pho thong Magazine

Read the full interview at:https://khoahocphothong.vn/pgs-ts-tran-trong-dao-nghi-quyet-57-mo-ra-khong-gian-phat-trien-moi-cho-dai-hoc-nghien-cuu-266252.html