Why did 2 Associate Professors withdraw from the Scientific Integrity Working Group of Pham Ngoc Thach University?

Establish a Scientific Integrity Task Force within 30 days

On October 28, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dang Thoai, Vice Principal of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, signed a decision to establish a Working Group on Scientific Integrity, with a term of operation of 30 days.

The group consists of 7 members, headed by Dr. Pham Quoc Dung, Vice Rector. In addition, the Scientific Integrity Working Group of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine consists of 7 members, including: Prof. Dr. Ngo Minh Xuan, Chairman of the Science and Training Council; Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Minh Vinh, Deputy Head of the Department of Scientific Research; Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Quang Huy, Editor-in-Chief of Pham Ngoc Thach Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy; Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Dung, lecturer of the Postgraduate Training Management Department; Dr. Nguyen Tuan Vu, Deputy Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine; Master Nguyen Thi Hang, lecturer of the Inspection and Legal Department.

The task of the team is to review the contents related to Article 8 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025; Articles 4 and 6 of Decree 262/2025/ND-CP, to ensure compliance with regulations on scientific integrity in research and training activities.

Reasons why 2 Associate Professors asked to withdraw

However, after the working group was announced, two Associate Professors on the member list submitted withdrawal requests.

One person said that the withdrawal was to “ensure absolute objectivity and transparency” of the review process, due to information on social media related to the case of a person in the school who was accused of violating scientific integrity. In the withdrawal request, this person said that in order to ensure the reputation of the working group, absolute neutrality and objectivity, “withdrawing from the working group is necessary, this is to avoid all doubts and speculations”.

The remaining person withdrew for personal reasons.

Previously, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine had a case that attracted public attention related to the doctoral entrance exam. Candidate Au Nhat Huy (24 years old) was admitted to the doctoral program in internal medicine with the second highest score. After the review process, an international article in this candidate's profile was withdrawn from the journal Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis (2025) , causing the research score to drop to 9.5 and the average total score to 88.3. However, the admission result of this doctoral student remained unchanged.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/2-pgs-xin-rut-khoi-to-cong-tac-liem-chinh-khoa-hoc-truong-dh-pham-ngoc-thach-vi-sao-185251102100210622.htm