Four key universities receive 'funding' for comprehensive breakthroughs

Four major universities will be selected for key investment as models for the university education system to promote the three-way cooperation model and the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Ho Chi Minh City National University was chosen as one of four key universities as a model for the higher education system to promote the 3-house cooperation model and the startup and innovation ecosystem - Photo: TRAN HUYNH

The Working Group of the Central Steering Committee on Science , Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation has just announced the conclusion of the meeting: four major universities will be selected for key investment with many special mechanisms.

Four universities aim for a billion-dollar startup ecosystem

According to the above announcement, four major universities including Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University, Danang University and Hanoi University of Science and Technology will be selected for key investment.

The key goal by 2030 for these four universities is to become models in the Vietnamese higher education system, striving to be among the top 150 universities in Asia and have at least one field ranked in the top 100 in the world according to prestigious university rankings.

According to the orientation, each university will strive to create 50 innovative startups, science and technology enterprises each year; attract at least 50 million USD in investment for research and innovation in the 2026 - 2030 period, and have at least 10 successful startups, valued at over 200 million USD.

In addition, it must be ensured that at least 60% of training programs in science and technology fields will be taught in English or other common languages; 50% of subjects integrate practice and research...

The proportion of postgraduate students accounts for at least 30% of the total number of students (of which doctoral students alone contribute 40% of postgraduate students). The heads or co-heads of laboratories, research centers... are expected to have at least 30% of international experts working at the world's leading research facilities.

The proportion of research funding and technology transfer budget in the university's revenue structure must reach at least 35%.

100% of graduate students are exempt from tuition fees

The Steering Committee requested that the following goals be implemented from the 2026-2027 school year with the four key universities above: 100% of graduate students are exempted from tuition fees and provided with scholarships through the salary payment mechanism for teaching assistants/research assistants.

PhD students are required to have a minimum of 10 months of research exchange at a world-leading university or research institute.

Comprehensive upgrade of laboratory facilities, libraries, digital infrastructure and connectivity to serve research.

Develop a mechanism that allows lecturers to work for 1 year at prestigious enterprises, research institutes and universities in the world after every 5-7 years of work.

By 2030, Vietnam aims to build at least three international innovation centers in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City; venture capital investment in technology startups will reach at least 1.5 billion USD/year; the innovation startup ecosystem will be in the top 3 of ASEAN, with at least 5 technology unicorns.

Many ministries and branches involved

The Steering Committee requested relevant universities and ministries and sectors to complete detailed plans before the end of 2025. Of which:

The Ministry of Education and Training shall preside over the implementation of the action plan, appraise the budget, and develop a special mechanism to allow experts from enterprises to participate in teaching and guiding research at universities, and lecturers and scientists to work at enterprises; exempt tuition fees and grant scholarships to full-time postgraduate students, and support the establishment of enterprises in universities.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is assigned to build a public-private partnership mechanism in research and development activities, co-funding from businesses, developing investment funds according to the "fund of funds" model...

The Ministry of Finance guides technology valuation and promotes product commercialization.

The Ministry of Public Security deploys the 3-house model (state, school, business) in organizing the national "Data for life" competition.

State-owned enterprises identify schools and institutes with suitable research capacity to build joint research and development projects, effectively using the enterprise's Science and Technology Development Fund.

Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are building projects to develop international-class innovation and startup centers.

TRAN HUYNH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bon-dai-hoc-trong-diem-duoc-rot-von-de-but-pha-toan-dien-2025100512521749.htm