NAFOSTED - VinUni: Connecting science and technology research, promoting the national innovation ecosystem

On November 13, 2025, in Hanoi, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) and VinUni University held a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, marking an important step in strengthening the connection between the State research funding agency and an international-standard private university.

Overview of the Ceremony.

Dr. Le Mai Lan, Vice President of Vingroup Corporation, Chairman of the Board of VinUni University affirmed that the cooperation between NAFOSTED and VinUni opens up opportunities to strongly promote research, innovation and training of high-quality science and technology human resources, contributing to realizing the aspiration of making Vietnam an innovative nation.

Dr. Le Mai Lan believes that to achieve that goal, it is necessary to have the spirit of daring to experiment and being willing to accept risks, especially in the period when Vietnam is gradually building a strong science and technology foundation. The agreement of the two sides to implement a research co-funding mechanism is a concrete step demonstrating that pioneering spirit - when the university proactively proposes topics, the Fund approves and jointly supervises the implementation according to international standards.

Proposing a key direction for cooperation, Dr. Le Mai Lan said: VinUni, through the VinIF Fund, is ready to accompany NAFOSTED in approved and expanding projects, forming a "two funds - one goal" model to increase funding efficiency; Coordinate the organization of international scientific conferences, invite the world's leading scientists - including Nobel Prize winners, to Vietnam to exchange, cooperate and create a regional mark.

She also emphasized the strategic vision of making NAFOSTED one of the most prestigious research funds in Asia, while expanding the network to attract young global talents to Vietnam to carry out experimental research projects. "We are looking for a 'chief architect' for the national research ecosystem and I believe that the four areas of cooperation between the two sides will soon be realized," she affirmed.

Dr. Le Mai Lan spoke at the ceremony.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of NAFOSTED, emphasized that VinUni is not only a training institution but also an influential research and funding organization, sharing the mission of promoting science, technology and innovation (S&T) of the country.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025 is one of the most open and progressive laws in the world when it grants intellectual property rights directly to scientists - the creators of knowledge, while encouraging the State to invest based on knowledge. Previously, Resolution 57 paved the way with many breakthrough mechanisms, in which increasing budget spending on science, technology and innovation is considered a key driving force to promote development in the new period. From this new legal foundation, Vietnam's science and technology industry will have a strong driving force to make a breakthrough, especially when combined with the pioneering thinking and strategic vision of VinUni.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien affirmed that the signing ceremony of cooperation between the two sides is a strong commitment to accompany, expand research space, develop technology and international integration, contributing to bringing Vietnamese science to the world.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of NAFOSTED spoke at the Ceremony.

At the ceremony, the two sides introduced an overview of activities, evaluated the results of cooperation in the past time and agreed on the direction of cooperation in the coming period. Accordingly, this strategic cooperation focuses on two major goals: (1) Promoting research and innovation, including basic research, applied research, technology development and social solution development, especially in the fields of science and technology in line with the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Development to 2030; (2) Developing high-quality science and technology human resources with the capacity to integrate internationally and actively contribute to the national innovation ecosystem.

The cooperation is implemented based on the following basic principles: Promoting the role of NAFOSTED in funding, guiding and connecting research tasks; exploiting VinUni's strengths in terms of international experts, modern infrastructure and global partner network; prioritizing cooperation in strategic technology areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, smart computing, precision medicine, rare earth technology, renewable energy, biotechnology, robotics and new materials. The two sides commit to implementing on the basis of voluntariness, equality, compliance with the law, protection of intellectual property rights and research data, and sharing cooperation results in a fair and transparent manner.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.

Within the framework of cooperation, NAFOSTED and VinUni will establish a co-funding mechanism; jointly organize scientific conferences, attract international experts to Vietnam for research cooperation; cooperate in building a platform for managing and evaluating scientific research according to international standards; cooperate in governance and branding; and jointly implement other cooperation activities to optimize efficiency.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/nafosted-vinuni-ket-noi-nghien-cuu-khcn-thuc-day-he-sinh-thai-dmst-quoc-gia-197251113210247058.htm