HaUI offers recruitment incentives of up to VND 1 billion to attract high-calibre academics

Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) is strengthening efforts to attract highly qualified academics and foster research excellence through a new recruitment policy offering incentives of up to VND 1 billion for professors, VND 700 million for associate professors and VND 500 million for PhD holders. The policy reflects HaUI’s commitment to building a strong academic workforce and enhancing research capacity as part of the University’s long-term development strategy. These priorities were also the focus of a meeting between HaUI’s leadership and young scientists on November 7, 2026, where participants discussed measures to strengthen research activities, improve institutional support and create more favourable conditions for scientific innovation.

The meeting brought together members of HaUI’s Board of Presidents, representatives from academic and administrative units, research groups and nearly 70 young scientists. It provided an opportunity to review the research achievements of young scientists, exchange views on challenges facing research activities and discuss measures to strengthen institutional support, promote research collaboration and enhance the practical application of scientific findings.

Overview of the event

Strengthening academic talent and research capacity

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kieu Xuan Thuc, President of HaUI, highlighted the strategic role of young scientists in advancing academic excellence, innovation and sustainable development. He emphasised that building a strong academic workforce is fundamental to achieving the University's long-term development goals.

Under the strategic orientation towards 2030, with a vision to 2035, HaUI aims to rank among Asia's top 400 universities in innovation and among Vietnam's top 20 higher education institutions in science, technology and innovation. Emphasising the ambition required to realise these goals, the President stated: "We must have ambition. We must set high goals and work persistently to achieve them." He called on participants to engage in open discussions, share research experience and put forward practical recommendations for improving institutional policies and support mechanisms. He also highlighted the potential of HaUI's multidisciplinary academic structure to foster interdisciplinary research, strengthen connections across academic fields and encourage new research initiatives.

Mr. Kieu Xuan Thuc, President of Hanoi University of Industry, delivers the opening remarks and outlines the key topics for discussion

Providing an overview of academic workforce development, Mr. Phan Dang Hung, Head of the Personnel and Organisation Department, reported that HaUI had 1,056 full-time lecturers as of October 31, 2026. Nearly 50% held doctoral degrees, while another 172 lecturers were pursuing doctoral studies. HaUI aims to increase the proportion of lecturers holding doctoral degrees to more than 60% by 2030, focusing on three strategic priorities: attracting, retaining and developing academic talent.

Mr. Phan Dang Hung, Head of the Department of Personnel and Organisation, outlines the University’s workforce development strategy

A major initiative supporting this objective is the Scheme on Attracting Highly Qualified Lecturers and Experts for the 2026–2030 period, signed by the President on October 30, 2026. Under the scheme, standard one-time recruitment incentives amount to VND 200 million for PhD holders, VND 300 million for associate professors and VND 500 million for professors. Depending on professional achievements, additional support may raise the total incentives to VND 500 million, VND 700 million and VND 1 billion, respectively. Beyond financial incentives, HaUI is working to improve academic remuneration, enhance working conditions and expand professional development opportunities. These measures are designed to attract outstanding academics, retain qualified professionals and support long-term career development within the University.

Advancing research quality and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration

HaUI is committed to improving research quality, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and increasing the practical value of scientific outputs. According to Mr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the 69 young scientists included in the report had collectively published 1,119 scientific papers. Of these, 581 were indexed in Scopus or Web of Science, including 338 papers in Q1 and Q2 journals. Their research activities also resulted in 190 science and technology projects, 49 instances of serving as project leaders and 30 intellectual property achievements. A particularly encouraging trend was the rise in publications in high-ranking journals. The number of Q1 and Q2 papers more than doubled, from 34 in 2024 to 79 in 2025, an increase of approximately 132%.

Mr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, presents an assessment of the research capacity of young academics

The report also highlighted several areas where further progress is needed. These include strengthening research leadership, expanding interdisciplinary cooperation and improving the conversion of research findings into intellectual property, technological applications and commercial products. In response, HaUI aims to provide stronger academic mentorship, facilitate access to shared research infrastructure and build closer links among research groups and with businesses. Greater emphasis will also be placed on producing high-quality international publications and advancing research with clear application potential and measurable outcomes.

Young scientists share research priorities and recommendations

The discussion session gave young scientists an opportunity to present their research interests, share professional experience and put forward recommendations for strengthening HaUI’s research environment.

Representing the field of economics, Dr. Tran Cuong from the School of Economics highlighted opportunities to bring engineering and technology disciplines into closer collaboration with economics and management. He noted that such interdisciplinary links could help address emerging challenges in green transition, digital transformation and the circular economy. He also called for stronger connections between researchers, businesses, local authorities and international partners, together with improved access to research databases and clearer project objectives.

From the field of electrical and electronic engineering, Dr. Pham Thanh Son of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering outlined research directions in photonics, metamaterials and wireless power transmission. He recommended expanding collaboration in silicon photonics and facilitating access to laboratory facilities, licensed software and specialised research partners.

Dr. Nguyen Cong Hong Phong from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering focused on the need for stronger academic mentorship, particularly for early-career researchers. He emphasised the importance of practical support in developing research proposals, securing funding and building international partnerships that lead to substantive research outcomes.

Despite their different disciplinary backgrounds, the three scientists shared several common priorities: stronger institutional support, better access to research resources, closer professional collaboration and greater opportunities for young researchers to develop their academic capabilities and pursue impactful research.

Young scientists share their research findings and recommendations at the meeting

Translating institutional commitment into concrete action

In response to the recommendations raised at the meeting, President Kieu Xuan Thuc underscored the important role of young PhD holders and research groups in achieving HaUI’s strategic goals in science, technology and innovation. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to removing barriers related to administrative procedures, institutional mechanisms, policies and working conditions, thereby creating more favourable conditions for researchers to pursue academic and research activities.

A key direction is to shift from fragmented, individual research efforts towards building strong research groups, developing emerging research teams and expanding interdisciplinary networks. HaUI also seeks to adopt a more integrated approach to evaluating research performance, connecting high-quality international publications with intellectual property development, product innovation and the commercialisation of research outcomes.

President Kieu Xuan Thuc called on the departments responsible for finance and facilities to review existing procedures, simplify administrative processes and improve arrangements for sharing research infrastructure. Schools, faculties and institutes were also encouraged to reduce unnecessary meetings and administrative workloads, giving academic staff more time and resources for research. He further urged young scientists to take a more proactive role in proposing research projects, strengthening collaboration with businesses and international partners, and undertaking challenging research assignments.

Through targeted policies to attract academic talent, continued investment in research capacity and more effective institutional support, HaUI aims to create a research environment that encourages initiative, collaboration and innovation. These efforts form part of the University’s long-term strategy to develop a highly qualified academic workforce, strengthen interdisciplinary research and translate scientific advances into practical contributions to society.