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UEH LAUNCHES FOUR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR 2026: CONNECTING KNOWLEDGE, TALENT, AND GLOBAL RESEARCH IMPACT

UEH LAUNCHES FOUR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR 2026: CONNECTING KNOWLEDGE, TALENT, AND GLOBAL RESEARCH IMPACT

13 Feb, 2026

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) officially announces four development programs for the 2026 UEH International Academic Ecosystem, aimed at attracting renowned domestic and international scholars to contribute to training, research, social impact, and sustainable action.

The International Academic Ecosystem: A Hub for Global Scholars and an Open Space for Research and Training Collaboration 

UEH has long implemented numerous international activities, including scientific conferences, faculty and learner exchanges, international publications, and strategic partnerships with over 125 leading universities across five continents. 

Building upon this foundation, UEH restructures and integrates its international activities into a comprehensive International Academic Ecosystem, operated systematically, with established standards and long-term orientation.

This initiative aims to connect a network of research organizations, individual scholars (lecturers, researchers, PhD candidates), policies, resources, and global partners with transnational research and training activities. The goal is to establish UEH as a hub for global scholars and an open academic space for international research and training cooperation.

This ecosystem focuses on 03 main pillars::

  • Developing academic talent: Expanding the network of international scholars, lecturers, and researchers; nurturing the next generation of scientists through collaborative training and research models.
  • Developing leading research directions: Shaping and advancing key research orientations for UEH.
  • Enhancing research impact: Directing research toward economic, social, and environmental issues and sustainable development, in both Asian and global contexts.

04 Key programs for 2026
In its initial phase, the UEH International Academic Ecosystem will be driven by four key programs designed to connect the global scholarly community with research and training activities at UEH. These are: (1) The UEH100 International Scholar Program, (2) The International Research Lab Program, (3) The International Project-based PhD Program, and (4) The Postdoctoral Program.

(1) The UEH100 International Scholar Program - Attracting 100 global scholars to lead and create impact

Aiming to build a long-term international scholar network, the program targets attracting approximately 100 global scholars by 2045, implemented in two phases. During Phase 1 (2025–2030), the program focuses on piloting and shaping policies, attracting at least 30 scholars. During Phase 2 (2030–2045), the program enters a phase of policy refinement and expansion, attracting an additional minimum of 70 scholars, bringing the cumulative total of participating scholars from now until 2045 to 100 scholars.

The program aims to attract Visiting Professor, Adjunct Professor, Senior Industry Fellow and Research Fellow with established academic reputation or international practical experience.
Scholars participating in UEH100 play a leading role in research, postgraduate teaching, doctoral supervision, curriculum development, networking with academic - sponsorship - international partners, and contribute to enhancing UEH's research quality, training capacity, and academic standing in the region.

View program details at [Link] and Appendix 1.

(2) UEH International Research Lab (IRL): Where domestic and global scholars co-create knowledge 

The International Research Lab – IRL is a UEH-led research lab that brings together domestic and international scholars to develop one or more in-depth, long-term, and internationally focused research directions. The IRL is not an administrative unit but a flexible academic structure operating according to international standards.

IRLs are implemented based on the following principles:

  • Academic quality as the central focus
  • Substantive internationalization, with clear roles and contributions from international scholars
  • Close integration with doctoral training and next-generation faculty development
  • Pilot – flexible – controlled, with periodic evaluation and appropriate adjustment mechanisms

Each IRL receives pilot funding support from UEH of up to 1.5 billion VND over 4 years, based on a task- and result-oriented lump-sum mechanism, and commits to outputs including scientific publications, academic seminars, annual policy reports, and regulated research data sharing.

View program details at [Link].

(3) UEH International Project-based PhD: Where global scholars begin

This is a doctoral training model closely tied to substantive research projects within the International Research Lab (International Project-based PhD), with a central focus on research, international publication, and academic career development.

Doctoral candidates participating in the program are considered core members of the research lab. Their dissertation outcomes derive from the lab's research projects/themes. Participating doctoral candidates receive full tuition exemption for the entire program, research expense support from the lab's operational budget, work alongside prestigious domestic and international scholars, aim for international publications, and progressively develop into global academic scholars with sustainable ties to the UEH International Academic Ecosystem.

In tandem with a policy that actively encourages doctoral candidates to engage in full-time research, accompanied by a comprehensive financial support package exceeding VND 1 billion over four years (including a fixed monthly stipend, employee benefits, full tuition waiver for the UEH doctoral program, social insurance, health insurance, and housing support), the Doctoral Program integrated with international research projects is poised to provide an optimal foundation for aspiring scholars pursuing a trajectory toward global academic excellence.

Coupled with the Full-time Doctoral candidates incentive policy - which provides a support package of over 1 billion VND for the four-year training period (including a fixed monthly salary, benefits, full tuition waiver for the UEH doctoral program, social insurance, health insurance, and accommodation support) - the PhD training program integrated with international research projects promises to serve as an optimal foundation for the journey to becoming a global research scholar.

View program details at [Link] and Appendix 2.

View details of the Full-time Doctoral candidates program at [Link]

(4) Postdoctoral Program: Where emerging scholars advance research and impact

The Postdoctoral Program at UEH is designed as a vital component of the International Academic Ecosystem, serving as a bridge between doctoral training and the development of leading scholars. 

The program is implemented through flexible formats, including:

  • Project-based Postdoc
  • Fellowship Postdoc
  • Research-based Postdoc
  • Visiting Postdoc

Postdoctoral fellows participating in the program work within a professional, continuous, and in-depth research environment, engaged with substantive international projects and research labs. They aim for outputs such as international publications, datasets, research–policy reports, and knowledge dissemination through seminars and academic conferences.

UEH is committed to providing a conducive academic environment, research infrastructure, data resources, appropriate legal support mechanisms, and welfare benefits. It encourages postdocs to participate in teaching, co-supervise doctoral candidates, develop academic capacities, and expand international collaboration networks, progressively building a sustainable academic career path.

View program details at  Appendix 3.

The synchronized implementation of the four programs - UEH100, International Research Lab, International Project-based PhD, and the Postdoctoral Program - represents a strategic move to transition UEH from activity-based internationalization to building an integrated International Academic Ecosystem, where research, training, global partnerships, and social impact are connected according to international standards.

Through these programs, UEH affirms its long-term, serious commitment to academic investment, enhancing research and training capacity, developing generations of UEH researchers approaching international standards, while contributing knowledge and solutions to development challenges in Vietnam, the region, and the world./.

 

APPENDIX 1
INFORMATION REGARDING UEH100 INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR PROGRAM 

Position Target candidates Collaboration Scope with UEH Main Requirements Benefits at UEH
Visiting Professor Internationally renowned Professors/Associate Professor from prestigious universities/research institutes/organizations - Teaching (priority: Master's/PhD)
- Supervising Master's/PhD candidates/postdocs
- Curriculum development & accreditation
- Leading pioneering/peak research labs
- Network & partner connectivity
- Research/training fund/grant connection
- Organizing conferences/seminars
- Policy report development 
- Technology transfer & IP commercialization support		 - Full Professor or ≥ Associate Professor at reputable institutions (Top 500 QS/THE)
- H-index: 30–50+ (STEM) or 15–25+ (SSH)
- Top-tier publications (WoS Q1/ABDC A*/FT50/Top 05…)
- High citations; keynote/editorial board
- PhD supervision & research team leadership experience		 - Monthly income: 1500 – 2000 USD
- Visa support; UEH Hotel/accommodation lump-sum (<=10 millions/month); 1 round-trip airfare/year (actual invoice, no more than 35 millions VND)
- Eligible for labor contract conversion and social insurance participation upon meeting requirements
Adjunct Professor Scientists/lecturers holding PhD, employed elsewhere, with publication record & capacity to pioneer new directions but not yet meeting Visiting Professor threshold - In-depth course instruction
- Supervising Master's/PhD candidates
- Participating in UEH research labs
- Fund/grant connection
- Supporting curriculum development/accreditation
- Organizing conferences/seminars
- Connecting international partners and experts for UEH
- Technology transfer & IP commercialization support		 - PhD from Top 500 global or Top 200 Asian university (QS/THE); 
- ≥6 years post-PhD experience; H-index ≥5		 - Monthly income 1000 - 1500 USD
- Visa support; UEH Hotel/accommodation lump-sum (<=10 millions/month); 1 round-trip airfare/year (actual invoice, no more than 35 millions VND)
- Eligible for labor contract conversion and social insurance participation upon meeting requirements
Senior Industry Fellow C-suite leaders/Chairpersons/BoD/senior executives at MNCs, listed companies, financial institutions; leaders of international organizations/NGOs; strategic-level regulatory bodies - In-depth teaching/specialized lectures
- Applied research supervision
- Study tour/practical project connection; new discipline development; case study development
- Support for consultancy/research project bidding
- International network connection for UEH
- Technology transfer & IP commercialization support.		 - Minimum Master's degree and/or currently holding C-suite/senior leadership position
- 10–15 years experience, ≥5 năm senior management experience		 No monthly income (honorary/titular status); income based on output/products per internal expenditure regulations; no Tet holiday benefits/periodic health check-ups…
RF – Research Fellow Senior independent researcher (non-postdoc), specialized in research, long-term collaboration 3–5 years - Publications with UEH affiliation (co-authored with UEH) in WoS/Scopus Q1/Q2
- Building strong research labs
- Participating in ≥1 additional activity/year (peer review/ conference chairing, thesis defense committees, methodology seminars, project participation, PhD supervision, ranking surveys…)		 - PhD degree
- H-index (Scopus) ≥5
- ≥5 ISI articles in last 5 years
- 3–5 year research collaboration plan		 - Research information provision; priority access to facilities
- Remuneration based on task completion per UEH regulations
- Flexible schedule; accommodation arranged during work visits upon unit request


APPENDIX 2
UEH INTERNATIONAL PROJECT-BASED PHD

Position Target candidates Collaboration Scope with UEH Main Requirements Benefits at UEH
International Research Lab – Project-based PhD integrated UEH-led group + international scholars + PhD candidates/postdocs; 4-year pilot operation (from 01/2026) - Integrated ecosystem of high-quality research + PhD training;
- In-depth research, SSCI/SCIE publications; building research directions/schools; connecting international scholars; data/policy reports; seminars/conferences; group governance & annual reporting		 - Confirmed participation of international scholar(s)
- Clear orientation; available projects/topics/resources to meet outputs
- Members qualified as supervisors per doctoral training regulations
- Other criteria per UEH international research lab regulations		 - Lump-sum funding: up to 1.5 billion VND/lab/4 years
- Priority access to UEH facilities & data
- Operational support & annual evaluation mechanism
Principal Investigator (UEH – PI) UEH full-time faculty member/researcher leading the lab Academic leadership & lab operation; output coordination; ensuring PhD supervision ecosystem & collaborative publication H-index ≥10 + meeting criteria per UEH international research lab regulations Research environment; increased productivity & quality; research cost support per budget; international publication bonuses/grants per current internal expenditure regulations (author-shared) + PhD supervision remuneration (if assigned)
International Co-Lead International scholar under UEH scholar program: Visiting Professor/ Adjunct Professor/ Research Fellow Co-leading academic direction; research leadership; coordinating PhD supervision; contributing to lab output assurance Appropriate academic reputation; participation in lab orientation & activities; (aligned with UEH international research lab standards) Expanded collaboration network in Vietnam/SE Asia; lab products & PhD supervision with KPIs per work plan with UEH; Note: VP/AP remuneration is all-inclusive, no additional publication bonuses/grants, PhD supervision remuneration… within lab framework
Core members UEH full-time lecturers/researchers or international scholars with PhD supervision experience Conducting research, co-authorship, supervising/co-supervising PhD candidates; participating in seminars, policy reports, data, product governance H-index (Scopus) >3 and published SSCI/SCIE articles;encouraged to be supervisor/co-supervisor for lab PhD candidates; must meet current supervisor standards For UEH faculty/RF/postdocs: research cost support per budget; UEH faculty & RF receive publication bonuses/grants (author-shared) and PhD supervision remuneration (if assigned); postdocs per contract
PhD candidate – official member
Quantity: 02		 UEH PhD candidate (full-time/part-time) within 1 year of candidacy recognition; aligned with lab orientation Core "research associate" of lab; working according to individual dissertation plan linked to lab research plan; participating in academic activities; contributing data & publications Meets UEH PhD admission requirements; research alignment; assessed via academic profile + English + proposal + interview; ≥1 lab member agrees to be supervisor/co-supervisor; annual periodic evaluation Full tuition exemption for entire 4-year program; research cost support per budget; priority assignment of prestigious supervisors; dissertation tied to substantive project + international publications; full-time PhD candidates receive additional income/benefits per Full-time [Link]
Postdoc (if applicable) Postdoctoral researcher participating in lab (may substitute/accompany PhD candidates) Enhancing research capacity & products; supporting methodology, data, publications; co-leading sub-groups Per UEH postdoc agreement/standards; participation per lab plan Income/benefits per contract; research cost support from lab operational budget
Collaborators (Master's students/Undergraduates…) UEH Master's/Undergraduate students, temporary/part-time Supporting surveys, data processing, academic logistics… Determined by Principal Investigator per needs & lab finances Opportunity to participate in projects & academic activities; payment per lab budget (if available)

APPENDIX 3
UEH POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM
 

Postdoc Type Target Audience (Suitable Candidates) Collaboration Scope with UEH Main requirements (common to 4 postdoc types) Benefits at UEH
Project-based Postdoc Member of international projects, coming to UEH to conduct project research tasks including: Experiments, data collection, data analysis, and development of research models, methods, or solutions as required by the project in Vietnam or the region

Scientific products (journal articles, research reports, datasets, models, policy recommendations, or other outputs required by the funding project) must include co-authorship with at least one UEH researcher.

Acknowledgements section must recognize UEH support for research conditions, facilities, or project implementation assistance.
Development of extended outputs such as working papers, policy briefs, book chapters, international conference posters/abstracts.

Data or model sharing (if permitted) for subsequent UEH research activities.

Presentation of results at internal UEH seminars to disseminate project impact and promote academic collaboration.

 - Vietnamese citizen or foreign national under 45 years of age as of the recruitment announcement date.
- PhD from a highly reputable domestic program accredited by at least one international organization, or from a key national HEI, or from a foreign program ranked in Top 100 Asia at least once in the last 5 years (THE/QS rankings). For joint Vietnam-foreign programs, must meet either domestic or foreign program criteria. 
- Meets UEH PhD recruitment skill and language proficiency requirements.
- Research experience evidenced by:
+ At least 02 international publications in WoS (SSCI, SCIE) Q3 or Scopus Q1+ journals.
+ Lecturer/researcher at HEI, S&T institution, research institute with ≥5 years work experience, including min. 2 years, max. 6 years post-PhD
- Invitation/recommendation letter from Assoc. Professor/Professor leading UEH flagship programs/projects/initiatives.
- Research proposal relevant to the applied discipline/field and aligned with UEH research orientations.		 - Accommodation support: UEH Hotel introduction/dormitory referral (postdoc self-pays accommodation costs).
- Legal procedure support (for foreign postdocs): First 6 months in Vietnam, UEH provides documents for sponsorship, visa application, and temporary residence registration. Postdoc handles visa applications and bears all related costs.
- Workspace arranged at a UEH unit suitable for research needs; access to UEH academic resources (library, WoS account, databases…).
- Teaching participation permitted upon project host unit and UEH management approval. Remuneration at visiting lecturer rate, total ≤135 hours/year.
 
Fellowship Postdoc PhD holders wishing to apply for postdoctoral funding grants with UEH as the host institution, providing research environment and support conditions Year 1: Minimum 01 article in WoS Q3+ or Scopus Q1 journal. Year 2 to program end: Minimum 01 article/year in WoS Q2+ or ABDC A journal.
Research products from the project; Academic collaboration products with UEH; Training-academic products; Communication-academic products		 - Vietnamese citizen or foreign national under 45 years of age as of the recruitment announcement date.
- PhD from a highly reputable domestic program accredited by at least one international organization, or from a key national HEI, or from a foreign program ranked in Top 100 Asia at least once in the last 5 years (THE/QS rankings). For joint Vietnam-foreign programs, must meet either domestic or foreign program criteria. 
- Meets UEH PhD recruitment skill and language proficiency requirements.
- Research experience evidenced by:
+ At least 02 international publications in WoS (SSCI, SCIE) Q3 or Scopus Q1+ journals.
+ Lecturer/researcher at HEI, S&T institution, research institute with ≥5 years work experience, including min. 2 years, max. 6 years post-PhD
- Invitation/recommendation letter from Assoc. Professor/Professor leading UEH flagship programs/projects/initiatives.
- Research proposal relevant to the applied discipline/field and aligned with UEH research orientations.		 - Salary equivalent to state salary coefficient for UEH full-time lecturers. Participation in mandatory social insurance at UEH, based on UEH-paid salary.
- Income from grant funding allocated to UEH.
Publication bonuses/grants:
- Year 1: 01 article – no UEH bonus.
- From year 2 onwards: First article/year – no UEH bonus. Second+ article/year – eligible for bonuses/grants per UEH regulations.
Academic access rights: participate in UEH research labs, use facilities, data, library, academic systems per UEH regulations.
Research-based postdoc Full-time member of International Research Lab, recruited to conduct in-depth research tasks tied to the lab's flagship projects/themes. - Commitment to fulfill all research tasks and products per lab KPIs, aligned with project objectives and roadmap.
- Commitment to complete scientific publication outputs for UEH (excluding lab's mandatory research products): 01 article in WoS Q3+ or Scopus Q1 journal (based on author contribution percentage).
- Research products from the project; Academic collaboration products with UEH; Training-academic products; Report products; Science communication products.
- May be required to:
+ Support PhD/Master's supervision (if assigned by PI).
+ Present periodic academic seminars at UEH research lab.
+ Support project workshop/conference organization.		 - Vietnamese citizen or foreign national under 45 years of age as of the recruitment announcement date.
- PhD from a highly reputable domestic program accredited by at least one international organization, or from a key national HEI, or from a foreign program ranked in Top 100 Asia at least once in the last 5 years (THE/QS rankings). For joint Vietnam-foreign programs, must meet either domestic or foreign program criteria. 
- Meets UEH PhD recruitment skill and language proficiency requirements.
- Research experience evidenced by:
+ At least 02 international publications in WoS (SSCI, SCIE) Q3 or Scopus Q1+ journals.
+ Lecturer/researcher at HEI, S&T institution, research institute with ≥5 years work experience, including min. 2 years, max. 6 years post-PhD
- Invitation/recommendation letter from Assoc. Professor/Professor leading UEH flagship programs/projects/initiatives.
- Research proposal relevant to the applied discipline/field and aligned with UEH research orientations.		 - Professional, continuous, in-depth research environment. Enhanced international publication productivity and quality, targeting high-quality journals; development of distinctive long-term UEH research directions/schools.
- Collaboration with prestigious, high-profile scholars, enhancing research capacity, PhD supervision capacity, and international partnership.
- Income paid by UEH equivalent to UEH full-time lecturers.
- Research cost support from the lab operational budget.
- Research-based postdoc will have the following benefits:
+ Eligible for mandatory social insurance at UEH.
+ Eligible for welfare benefits as UEH staff/employees per internal expenditure regulations. Eligible for health insurance and other welfare schemes.
+ Remuneration for training activities equal to that of UEH PhD-level staff/employees.
+ Scientific research sponsorship/bonuses as UEH staff/employees for published research products per UEH scientific research sponsorship/bonus regulations (excluding obligatory publication articles, including obligations to UEH and to the research lab).
- Recognition/rewards for outstanding completion of scientific research and training tasks.
- Office and work equipment arranged by PI. Access to UEH-provided learning resources for research (library, WoS account, databases…).
- Research-based postdoc will be supported:
+ Dormitory: UEH Hotel accommodation pricing policy applied for UEH staff/employees.
+ Funding support for scientific conference participation per internal expenditure regulations: national conference (9 million VND/year); international conference (25 million VND/year) .
+ For foreign postdoctoral fellows: first 6 months in Vietnam, UEH provides necessary documents for sponsorship, visa application procedures, and temporary residence registration. Postdoctoral fellow bears visa application and all related costs.
Visiting Postdoc PhD-degree researcher currently affiliated with domestic/foreign universities or research institutes, hosted by UEH for short-term period (typically <12 months) for academic exchange, research collaboration, data collection, or co-development of research products with UEH faculty/research groups based on cooperation agreement, MOU, or research collaboration invitation letter

Co-authored scientific articles (priority: prestigious international journals).

Book chapters, working papers, or research reports.

Research datasets of academic significance.

Academic seminars at UEH.

Specialized lectures (non-mandatory but encouraged) for undergraduate or postgraduate programs, as assigned by UEH management. This activity is considered an academic contribution, not core teaching duties

 - Vietnamese citizen or foreign national under 45 years of age as of the recruitment announcement date.
- PhD from a highly reputable domestic program accredited by at least one international organization, or from a key national HEI, or from a foreign program ranked in Top 100 Asia at least once in the last 5 years (THE/QS rankings). For joint Vietnam-foreign programs, must meet either domestic or foreign program criteria. 
- Meets UEH PhD recruitment skill and language proficiency requirements.
- Research experience evidenced by:
+ At least 02 international publications in WoS (SSCI, SCIE) Q3 or Scopus Q1+ journals.
+ Lecturer/researcher at HEI, S&T institution, research institute with ≥5 years work experience, including min. 2 years, max. 6 years post-PhD
- Invitation/recommendation letter from Assoc. Professor/Professor leading UEH flagship programs/projects/initiatives.
- Research proposal relevant to the applied discipline/field and aligned with UEH research orientations.		 + Accommodation support: UEH Hotel accommodation pricing policy applied for UEH staff/employees
+ Legal procedure support (for foreign postdoctoral fellows): first 6 months in Vietnam, UEH provides necessary documents for sponsorship, visa application procedures, and temporary residence registration. Postdoctoral fellow bears visa application and all related costs.
+ Teaching participation: Eligible for teaching upon UEH management approval. Teaching remuneration at visiting lecturer rate, total volume no more than 135 hours/year.

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