Workshop “Why is UEH emerging as a hub attracting international research funds?”

28 Aug, 2025

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) recently organized the workshop “Why is UEH emerging as a hub attracting international research funds?”, delivered by Dr. Chau Duong from the University of East London (UK). The program was held in two sessions: the first on August 22, 2025, at UEH-Campus A in Ho Chi Minh City, and the second on August 25, 2025, at UEH Mekong Campus in Vinh Long Province.

Session 1 at UEH-Campus A

Session 2 at UEH-Mekong

The event brought together managers, lecturers and researchers to discuss how funders make decisions and broaden access to international funding opportunities. Session 1 featured Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, UEH Vice President, while Session 2 was joined by Dr. Nguyen Thi Thy Lieu, Standing Vice Director and the Board of Management of UEH Mekong. Both sessions also included the participation of leaders from the Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement along with other passionate faculty members and researchers.

Dr. Chau Duong, the keynote speaker, contributed extensive experience to the sessions. At the moment, Chau holds the positions of Senior Lecturer, Programme Director, and Member of the University Academic Board at the University of East London. Chau has over 10 years of experience working at a strategic level in several organizations globally and has attained the designation of Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI). Chau is an esteemed academic, having obtained Senior Fellow status with Advance HE (SFHEA) and currently serving as a board member of the CMBE CPD Review Board of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), advocating for the UK's business and management education sector at a strategic level. He has regularly published in leading international journals and delivered talks at renowned global conferences in business, finance, and accounting. A proud Vietnamese alumnus of the Chevening and Shell Centenary Scholarship Funds, Chau is cultivating his strong commitment to supporting Vietnam’s higher education sector, particularly in accounting and finance, by connecting universities with professional practice and helping to attract substantial international funding to Vietnam.

The event aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the decision-making processes of international funders and to promote debates regarding the key variables, challenges, and opportunities affecting financing. Participants were instructed on how to identify appropriate funding sources, evaluate requests for proposals, and customize research designs to align with funders' requirements.

Central to the workshop was UEH’s commitment to strengthening research capacity and fostering effective, well-rounded research teams capable of engaging with both international funders and global partners. Through case studies, attendees explored how UEH can align its strategic vision with global funding priorities such as sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, UEH Vice President

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thy Lieu, Standing Vice Director of UEH Mekong

The workshop's practical component instructed researchers on selecting suitable funding sources, assembling efficient research teams, and crafting competitive bids. Participants acquired skills in interpreting funders' expectations, aligning proposals with international priorities, and systematically structuring applications through two practical case studies.

The workshops ended with group talks in which UEH academics presented prospective project ideas suitable for forthcoming international calls. The event reaffirmed UEH’s aspiration to be a reliable partner in global research collaborations, generating impacts beyond Vietnam and enhancing its status as a premier regional center for foreign funding.