Three major Vietnamese universities set to become leading Asian institutions by 2035

Vietnam's government has set an ambitious goal to elevate three major universities in the Southeast region to the forefront of Asian higher education by 2035. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has officially approved a development scheme targeting Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH), Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Viet-Duc University. This initiative aims to create leading centers for high-quality human resource training, scientific research, innovation, and technology transfer, positioning them among Asia's top institutions.

The plan designates these selected universities, alongside Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, to form regional hubs for advanced education and research. By 2030, UEH is expected to be among the top 150 universities in Asia for business and management, while Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy aims for a similar ranking in health sciences. Viet-Duc University will continue to develop as a research-oriented institution adhering to German standards.

By 2035, the scheme envisions these public universities becoming key institutions for the Southeast region and the entire country. They are expected to possess modern infrastructure, meet regional standards, and maintain a leading position in Asia within their respective fields. Looking further ahead to 2050, the goal is for these universities to rank among the top 100 in Asia, playing a pivotal role in national and regional technological advancement.

Specific targets have been set for each institution. UEH aims to train approximately 9,000 high-quality personnel annually, with at least 70% of its faculty holding doctoral degrees. The university also plans to attract top global scientists, develop 20 strong research groups, and ensure a significant percentage of its programs are taught in English and internationally accredited. Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Viet-Duc University have also outlined ambitious objectives for faculty qualifications, research output, international collaboration, and student diversity.