VNU-HCM must attract top national talent, target top 100 Asian universities: PM Hung

Speaking at VNU-HCM’s 2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony, themed "VNU-HCM with the Aspiration for Strategic Technological Autonomy Driven by Vietnamese Talent," PM Le Minh Hung emphasized a vision for the university system to evolve into a leading Asian research university system by 2045.

Prior to the event, the Government leader inspected an exhibition highlighting scientific and technological achievements developed by VNU-HCM researchers, including a four-legged firefighting robot, brain-computer interface systems, AI applications for reproductive assistance, semiconductor chips, indigenous herbal products, stem cell technology, microneedle patches, and next-generation solar cells.

VNU-HCM presented a three-phase development strategy for key technologies. In the immediate phase, the university focuses on applied research for enterprises, hospitals, and localities in artificial intelligence, edge chips, biological preparations, and molecular diagnostics. By 2030, it aims to establish public-private research clusters focusing on Vietnamese large language models, vaccines, cell technology, green hydrogen, and quantum technology.

The university set targets to secure 100 international patents, develop 10 strategic technology products, master 15 core technologies, and form 20 strong research groups by 2030.

VNU-HCM President Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai highlighted the university's role in cultivating talent, advancing knowledge, and delivering reliable solutions for national development, emphasizing the goal of building an academic environment capable of connecting Vietnamese experts working worldwide.

Glowingly spoke of VNU-HCM’s 31-year record as a flagship higher education institution, PM Le Minh Hung urged the university to modernize governance, cultivate a liberal academic environment, and adopt output quality as a primary metric. He called for a continuous talent ecosystem connecting outstanding high school students, undergraduates, postgraduates, young scientists, and top experts, particularly in basic sciences and strategic technologies.

The Government leader tasked VNU-HCM to act as an intellectual center for policy consultation, forming strong interdisciplinary research groups for major national tasks. For emerging sectors such as semiconductors, quantum computing, and aerospace, he laid stress on mobilizing domestic and international experts alongside businesses to build indigenous technological capacity and core products under Vietnamese brands.

PM Hung asked ministries and agencies to formulate special mechanisms for strong investment to develop elite research universities, including block-grant funding for public science and technology organizations within key universities. He also directed Ho Chi Minh City and regional authorities in the Southeast and Mekong Delta regions to place direct orders and support shared infrastructure for VNU-HCM to train high-quality human resources.

On this occasion, he presented awards to team members who applied geophysical survey methods, data analysis, and mapping techniques to assist functional forces in locating and identifying fallen soldiers' remains.

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