UEH News

• 31 May
• 2026

International Research Lab at UEH: Connecting Global Scholars, Shaping Long-Term Research Directions

31 May, 2026

In the journey of developing the UEH International Academic Ecosystem 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is implementing the International Research Lab (IRL) as a flexible academic structure that connects UEH faculty, international scholars, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and early-career researchers in in-depth research programs with international integration capacity and academic impact.

The International Research Lab (IRL) is a key component in UEH's strategy to enhance research capacity, contributing to the development of strong research groups, expanding international academic cooperation, and linking postgraduate training with key research projects.

An open academic structure for long-term research directions

According to UEH regulations, an IRL is a collective of domestic and international scientists led by UEH, jointly developing one or several research directions that are international in scope, long-term, and have the potential to become the University's main research directions. The IRL is not an independent administrative unit but is organized as a flexible academic structure, attached to a managing unit and UEH's support system.

Each IRL is formed from a clear academic proposal, with a central research theme, novelty, international relevance, and development potential. From there, research ideas can be developed into long-term programs, connecting data, academic networks, international publications, and the training of successive researchers; at the same time, it contributes to the formation of strong research groups and research schools with distinctive academic signatures.

International Scholars Co-creating Research Directions with UEH

The IRL emphasizes substantive internationalization through the direct participation of international scholars in research orientation, collaborative publications, training, and project development.

Each IRL has a Team Leader who is a UEH full-time faculty member, along with an International Co-Team Leader who is a scholar under the UEH100 program like Visiting Professor, Adjunct Professor, or Research Fellow; core members include UEH faculty and researchers, postdocs, and doctoral candidates, with priority given to full-time doctoral candidates. Through this, the IRL helps UEH research groups enhance their academic capacity, expand international publication cooperation, and connect more deeply with global academic networks.

IRL creates a collaboration space for UEH faculty, international scholars, doctoral candidates, and postdocs in in-depth research programs

International Project-based PhD: Linking doctoral training with key research

A highlight of the IRL is the integration of doctoral training with key research projects under the Project-based PhD model. In this model, doctoral candidates do not simply carry out a dissertation as an independent academic task; they directly participate in the topics, data, publications, and scientific products of the research group. Through the mentorship of UEH faculty, international scholars, and postdocs, doctoral candidates develop in a substantive research environment with academic supervision, collaborative networks, and opportunities to access international publication standards.

On this foundation, the IRL contributes to identifying, nurturing, and retaining excellent doctoral candidates; at the same time, it promotes regular academic activities such as seminars, forums, academic exchanges, and the development of scientific products ranging from international publications, book chapters, and monographs to policy reports, applied research, models, or research datasets.

Through IRL, UEH promotes seminars, forums, international publications, and the development of successive research teams

Inviting international scholars and UEH units to jointly form IRLs

The IRL is aimed at scientists, research groups, and academic units with capacity, commitment, and orientation towards pursuing long-term research programs that create value for academia and society.

Based on the profiles, expertise, and cooperation orientations of international scholars registered to participate in the UEH International Academic Ecosystem, the University will connect scholars with appropriate Faculties/Institutes, Member Schools, research groups, and IRLs to jointly develop in-depth research directions.

UEH units and faculty members oriented towards establishing an IRL may proactively develop academic proposals, connect with international scholars, doctoral candidates/postdocs, and consult with the Department of Research, Development and Global Engagement (RDGE) for guidance in accordance with regulations.

Through the IRL, UEH progressively shapes research directions with international distinction, develops successive generations of scholars, and contributes knowledge and practical solutions for Vietnam, the region, and the world. This is an important step for UEH to connect training, research, global cooperation, and knowledge transfer within a deep, sustainable, and internationally integrated academic ecosystem.

Pillars: Education, Research
Project: UEH Connecting

News, Photos: Department of Communications and Partnerships, Human Resources and Organisation Development Department, Department of Research, Development and Global Engagement (RDGE)