NAFOSTED - VinUni: Joining forces to create a national ecosystem of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation

On July 29, 2025, in Hanoi, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) had a working session with VinUni University to identify strategic cooperation directions in scientific research, technology development, innovation and training of high-quality human resources of the two sides in the coming time.

Overview of the working session.

Speaking at the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of NAFOSTED, emphasized the role of the Fund in promoting the ecosystem of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation (ST&ID), especially in the context of an increasingly complete legal corridor thanks to Resolution 57-NQ/TW, Resolution 193/NQ-QH and the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation recently passed by the National Assembly. NAFOSTED is transforming itself strongly to become a modern Fund, operating flexibly in the direction of shifting from "controlling thinking" to "creating thinking" with three strategic pillars in the coming period: ST&ID - ST&ID - DT. The Fund aims for an advanced funding model, evaluation based on output results, minimizing intervention in the implementation process and applying international standards in scientific evaluation.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien said that NAFOSTED wishes to expand international cooperation, implementing a co-funding model with partners who are major international science funds in the world such as: NSF (USA), JST (Japan), Horizon Europe (EU)...

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien expressed his hope that the two sides would soon agree on a working plan and proceed to sign an official cooperation document. This will be the basis for forming joint funding programs, organizing academic seminars, promoting research and development (R&D) activities based on each side's strengths, thereby contributing to improving national S&T capacity and bringing "Make in Vietnam" products to the world.

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

Representing VinUni University, Dr. Le Mai Lan, Vice President of Vingroup Corporation, Chairman of VinUni University Council shared the school's strategic vision in building an international-class university with the mission of training talents, inspiring creativity and accompanying scientists in solving the country's major problems.

According to Dr. Le Mai Lan, VinUni is a "university startup" built from scratch, but after only 6 years of establishment and development, the school has achieved many outstanding achievements and is aiming to reach the top 100 excellent universities in the world. This is the core center in the Vingroup's innovation ecosystem, playing the role of training talents to serve the Group's extensive transformation strategy. Key areas prioritized for investment include: Gene technology, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, biomedicine, big data, new energy... These are not only strategic industries but also the foundation to affirm Vietnam's position in the global knowledge value chain, contributing to increasing the "Make in Vietnam" mark.

VinUni currently gathers more than 200 lecturers and researchers from prestigious universities around the world. With the orientation of synergy and support, the school is accepting the entire research and medical ecosystem of Vingroup Corporation (including Vinmec, VinBigData...) to be located at the school to create favorable conditions for technology integration, knowledge transfer and development of interdisciplinary research based on practice. In addition, VinUni actively connects with the global scientific community, especially experts of Vietnamese origin. The school invites them to return to work in the country, lead research groups, develop open laboratories and exploit big data for research.

She proposed that the two sides sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the coming time to concretize these orientations, gradually forming a new model of university-state-enterprise linkage, aiming to develop scientific products with high commercialization potential, creating technological unicorns with Vietnamese imprint.

Highly appreciating the new policies on science, technology and innovation, especially Resolution 57-NQ/TW and the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Le Mai Lan said that this is an opportunity for universities to build strong laboratories and research groups, proactively participating in solving 21 major problems of the country. VinUni is also urgently re-planning its strategy to determine its specific role and contribution in each field.

Dr. Le Mai Lan, Vice President of Vin Group, President of VinUni University Council spoke at the meeting.

Within the framework of the working session, delegates discussed funding mechanisms, innovation in scientific task assessment methods and financial mechanisms, public-private partnership models, research management and assessment standardization, etc.

At the working session, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation on four key contents:

Firstly, establish a flexible co-funding mechanism between NAFOSTED and VinUni in key research projects. The two sides will jointly fund excellent topics, prioritizing interdisciplinary fields such as: artificial intelligence, big data, gene technology, advanced biomedical technology, robotics and automation, energy and new materials... These are all fields in the List of strategic technologies according to Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg dated June 12, 2025.

Second, coordinate the organization of scientific conferences and academic forums at national and international scales. VinUni plays a role in attracting international experts and Vietnamese intellectuals abroad; NAFOSTED provides financial support and coordinates the implementation of activities to enhance cooperation between international experts and the Vietnamese scientific community.

Third, cooperate to build a scientific research management and evaluation platform according to international standards. NAFOSTED supports the standardization of the review and evaluation process; VinUni supports the deployment of digital technology platforms in research management, and coordinates to increase the participation of international experts in the scientific evaluation process, especially in the evaluation and selection of NAFOSTED tasks.

Fourth, support the application and transfer of research results, promote the application of science and technology products from NAFOSTED topics into practice through the innovation ecosystem of VinUni and Vingroup.

The working session ended with a high consensus, opening up prospects for strategic, long-term and substantive cooperation between the parties. This is expected to be the first step for an effective public-private partnership model, contributing to realizing the goal of making science and technology, innovation and digital transformation become the key driving force of socio-economic development and enhancing national competitiveness.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

NAFOSTED delegation visited some models and laboratories of VinUni.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/nafosted-vinuni-hop-luc-kien-tao-he-sinh-thai-khcndmstcds-quoc-gia-197250730091829592.htm