Among more than 3,500 new bachelor’s degree holders of the class of 2025 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE), Le Phan Thao Nghi, a recent Psychology alumna, stands out for her Excellent graduation result and an inspiring research journey deeply connected to school mental health.

Le Phan Thao Nghi – The Psychology major with a passion for rresearch and a four-year journey of determination at HCMUE to reach remarkable milestones

Thao Nghi’s passion for research began in her sophomore year, when she first encountered the course “Research Methodology and Methods in Psychology.” Building on that initial foundation, Nghi soon set her sights on pursuing academia — driven by both a love for theory and a desire to produce works of genuine practical value in education and adolescent mental health care.

That journey led Thao Nghi to become one of the core members of a student research team carrying out the project “Emotion Regulation in Students with Symptoms of Depression: A Mindfulness-Based Intervention Trial Evaluated through EEG Signals and Behavioral Observation.” This outstanding study won First Prize at the 2024 Science and Technology Awards for Students in Higher Education Institutions. Highly applicable in the current context where many students face academic pressure and show signs of depression, the project stands out for its innovative approach — combining electroencephalography (EEG) with behavioral observation to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions, moving beyond traditional methods that rely heavily on subjective questionnaires.

Under the supervision of Dr. Giang Thien Vu, the team brought their six-week intervention program to a lower secondary school. The results spoke for themselves: students reported sleeping better, feeling less anxious, becoming more aware of their emotions, and opening up more to those around them.

Thao Nghi, a core member of the Psychology student team researching mindfulness-based depression interventions using EEG and behavioral observation.

Notably, Thao Nghi was deeply involved in the research while also helping to shape the project’s academic foundation: refining the theoretical framework, developing the assessment process, and closely monitoring EEG analyses to ensure scientific reliability. Behind the achievement were hundreds of quiet working hours — from learning how to ask the right questions, persevering through noisy data, to maintaining a spirit of rigorous critique and unwavering research ethics.

Thao Nghi and her research team receiving the 2024 “Science and Technology Award for Students in Higher Education Institutions

Reflecting on her experiences at HCMUE, Nghi emphasized the wholehearted support of the lecturers in the Psychology Department, whom she saw as not only teachers but also sources of inspiration and confidence for their students. For her, they were more than classroom instructors — they were quiet companions throughout every step of the students’ academic and personal growth. From offering small suggestions that help shape research topics to patiently correcting every detail in data analysis, teachers are always present with patience, openness, and a deep respect for students as future colleagues.

 “Beyond knowledge, my lecturers have nurtured in me an academic spirit and a strong sense of research ethics,” Nghi shared.

Aside from winning the highest award at the Ministry level, Thao Nghi’s journey was also marked by scientific publications, presentations at international conferences, and recognition from her academic advisors. Yet for her, these accolades were not merely destinations, but acknowledgments of a persistent journey. There were moments when this young alumna questioned whether she had the capacity to pursue research seriously — doubts that were not just those of a young student, but formidable challenges in the quest for knowledge. Instead of giving up, Nghi chose to move forward step by step, learning from mistakes, honing her skills, and holding on to one belief: “As long as I don’t stop, I will surely improve.”

Le Phan Thao Nghi’s journey at HCMUE was marked not only by remarkable achievements but also by the inspiration she conveyed — a commitment to honest, human-centered research and the courage to step outside her comfort zone in exploring her own limits. Every experience, whether a success or a setback, became a valuable opportunity to grow — not just in academic pursuits but also in ways of thinking and living. “Most importantly, give your best so that, when you look back, you will have no regrets about missing any chance to grow and contribute,” Nghi advised.

To implement Circular No.42/2021/TT-BGDĐT dated November 30th, 2021 of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) regulating the database pertaining to education and training; On the evening of May 15th, 2025, HCMUE held a conference on training and deploying the plan titled “TRIAL OPERATION OF THE ONLINE SERVICE PLATFORM TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES”. The aim of this plan is to improve the effectiveness in managing and addressing administrative procedures for students

Presence at the event were Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, Vice President; Dr. Lam Thanh Minh, Head of Political and Student Affairs, and representatives of leaders of functional units, academic counseling team, and students from the Department of Chinese, English, Psychology, Chemistry, History, Early Childhood Education, Information Technology.

This event marked a significant milestone in the University's digital transformation journey, aiming to enhance the quality of student support and move towards a standardized process for handling administrative documents. Such process is expected to reduce waiting times and increase transparency and accuracy in receiving, processing, and responding to student requests.

During the trial, students from 7 departments (Chinese, English, Psychology, Chemistry, History, Early Childhood Education, Information Technology) accessed the website: and conducted relevant procedures pertaining to withdrawal, re-admission, and temporary leave.

The pilot implementation of the online public service platform not only enables students to save time and reduce travel but also ensures a transparent and easily monitored process for administrative document handling. The University hopes that, through this pilot implementation, the system can be fully completed using the feedback collected from the students before being fully launched for public use.

Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, the Vice President, shared: “Digital transformation is an irreversible trend in higher education, and even more so, it is a necessary requirement for higher education institution if they are to improve the training quality, service capacity, and its competitiveness in the current context. With a “student-centered” guideline, the University identifies one of the key pillars of the digital transformation process as digitizing and optimizing learner experience - especially in the administrative and academic aspect. The seminar today is not only the occasion for us to agree on the operation methods and share the implementation process but also a place for units to coordinate, listen, and complete the system on the premises of companionship - responsibility - creativity.”

The pilot implementation of the public service platform to support students in administrative procedures will begin from May 19th, 2025 to June 22nd, 2025. This acts as a basis for HCMUE to evaluate, improve, and will officially implemented in the 2025-2026 academic year.

On the morning of December 28, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE), in collaboration with the Journal of Education under the Ministry of Education and Training, held a National Scientific Conference themed “Innovation in General Education Teacher Training Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

The conference had the honor of welcoming Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi My Loc, Vice Chair of the Professorial Council in Educational Sciences; Prof. Dr. Tran Trung, Director of Vietnam Academy for Ethnic Minorities and Secretariat Member of the aforementioned council; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Education Journal, along with Dr. Ha Van Dung, Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Also in attendance were Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, President of HCMUE; Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, Vice President; as well as leading education experts, scholars, and lecturers from educational management agencies, universities, and K-12 schools nationwide—creating a vibrant and diverse space for academic and professional exchange.

This event served as a platform for researchers, education administrators, lecturers, and teachers to share and exchange insights on the challenges and opportunities in teacher training amid the digital transformation. The discussions centered on strategies for enhancing teachers’ competencies in modern educational settings and presented solutions to promote the development of general education.

Delegates expressed their keen interest and firm commitment to advancing educational reform amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son opened the session with thoughtful insights on the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the influence of AI within the realm of education. The President highlighted HCMUE’s ongoing leadership in integrating technology into education, demonstrated by its Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) system, which aids faculty in enhancing their skills and provides effective teacher training to address the challenges of the digital era. He also emphasized that innovating teacher training methods is essential for improving teaching quality and responding to the growing demands of the education sector amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son emphasized the importance of innovating teacher training in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution

In his keynote address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Trung stressed the urgent need for Vietnamese education to swiftly embrace comprehensive reforms, especially in teacher development, to meet the demands of the 2018 General Education Curriculum. He further underscored the significant role of technology—particularly artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge innovations—in reshaping teaching and learning practices.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Trung delivered the keynote presentation

A key feature of the conference was a series of researches exploring how the Fourth Industrial Revolution is shaping teacher education and education management. Digital transformation and emerging technologies such as AI, VR, and AR are regarded as key factors in enhancing teaching quality and expanding innovative learning opportunities for students.

Delegates engaged in deliberations on the application of cutting-edge technologies in teaching and educational management

In addition, the presented papers drew attention to the current state of digital transformation in educational institutions and identified the challenges teachers face in integrating new technologies into their teaching. To address these challenges, online learning models were proposed, along with a call to foster stronger teacher learning communities to accelerate the adoption of modern teaching methods. Furthermore, several studies underscored the need for ongoing professional development to help teachers confidently master and effectively apply technology in both teaching and educational management.

All papers and presentations were delivered in a professional and focused atmosphere, offering practical recommendations for advancing teacher training

Notably, the conference addressed the development of data analysis capabilities in educational research, enabling teachers and researchers to make accurate and timely decisions in their instructional practices. The adoption of innovative teaching models, such as the flipped classroom The adoption of innovative teaching models, such as the flipped classroom, was also recognized as a prominent trend, encouraging greater student engagement in the learning process.

This conference also helped education managers, teachers, and education major students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in training general education teachers in the current context. The research findings further served as a platform for sharing knowledge, research experiences, and practical reforms in educational science, contributing to the effective implementation of Vietnam’s 2018 General Education Curriculum. These recommendations are expected to support the sustainable development of general education in alignment with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Delegates posed for a commemorative photo

In the evening of December 27th, 2024, HCMUE successfully organized a training seminar on “Counseling and student support skills for academic counselor”. This is part of a five-seminar training programme for the academic counseling team of HCMUE to hone their expertise and their counseling and student support skills. 

The seminar was honored to welcome the presence of the Vice President, Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, who gave a directive speech for the seminar. Attending the seminar were leaders of functional units such as: The Office of Political and Student Affairs, The Office of Undergraduate Studies, The Office of Testing and Quality Assurance, The Psychology Department, and 276 lecturers assuming the role of academic counselors in the 2024-2025 academic year.

The seminar was organized under the combined online format, in which the academic counselors attended 4 seminars on the VLE online training portal from December 21st, 2024, to March 1st, 2025, and 01 synchronous sessions on Zoom Meeting. Apart from the “Counseling and student support skills for academic counselor”, the academic counselors attended four other seminars on VLE including: The role, authorities, and responsibilities of academic counselors; The procedures for implementing academic affairs for full-time students; Counseling expertise about undergraduate programs, Issues related to transferring scores, postponing exams, considering exemption from foreign languages, and computer science.

These seminar topics were designed to target the following aspects for the academic counselors, including: improving expertise, updating new contents in the rules and regulations related to students, equipping the required knowledge and skills for effective learning orientation, providing psychological support, and handling problems occurred while learning. Not only focusing on the aforementioned aspects, these seminars also helped promote one of HCMUE’s strength, which is the internal training aspects via VLE, and enhancing the use of information technology in academic counseling.

Giving a directive speech at the seminar, Dr. Cao Anh Tuan - Vice President - underscored the importance of academic counselors in providing orientation and helping students achieve their learning goals and develop holistically. He also stressed that student counselors must be understood of the rules and regulations related to student training, discipline, and support. Simultaneously, an academic counselor must be constantly aware of the most recent updates in education and psychology to effectively support students. An academic counselor must be the mediator between the University, students, and parents, thus creating a coherent and effective ecosystem. An academic counselor must inspire and motivate students.

Through the seminars, the academic counselors were given the opportunity to not only update the latest knowledge but also engage in exchanges to share their hands-on experiences in counseling and supporting students. This was deemed one of the most important stepping stones for future plans to holistically develop the capacity of academic counselors of HCMUE in the upcoming time.

Conference Theme: "Synergy for Sustainability: Transformative Education and Smart Agriculture for Resilient Blue Economy and Food Systems"

Date: October 17-18, 2024

Venue: Central Bicol State University of Agriculture - Pili Campus, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines

This conference aims to bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals from around the world to share insights, explore cutting-edge research, and develop strategies for creating a more sustainable and resilient future.

Key Features of the Conference:

1. Keynote speeches by renowned international experts
2. Panel discussions on pressing issues in education, environment, and agriculture
3. Presentation of innovative research papers
4. Networking opportunities with global professionals
5. Showcase of sustainable technologies and practices

We invite submissions for abstract and poster entries that align with the conference theme. This is an excellent opportunity to present your work to a diverse, international audience and contribute to the global dialogue on sustainable development.

For more information about the conference, including registration details, submission guidelines, and the preliminary program, please visit our website: .

Prince of Songkla University, in collaboration with the ASEAN University Network and the Institute of Software Engineering and Quality Management (ISEM), is gearing up for “the Development Workshop on the Quality Standardisation of Universities’ ICT System and Management Framework (AUN-ICT Framework),” set to take place on 7-8 November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, with 60 representatives from AUN Member Universities and AUN Associate Member Universities expected to attend the event. This upcoming AUN-ICT Workshop is the second iteration of the AUN-ICT workshop initiative aimed to to create an ICT model that will be a one-stop service for AUN Universities’ in standardising and managing their ICT quality management and services.  

In light of the AUN-ICT workshop’s return, we would like to use this opportunity to revisit the work of the AUN-ICT initiative so far, highlighting the “One Platform, One Protocol” protocol and the background of the AUN-ICT workshop.

“One Platform, One Protocol”

A crucial component of the digital transformation of universities, ICT quality management and services serve as both the operational backbone of the universities and a key player in enhancing the universities’ efficiency, stability, scalability, and security in other operational areas. However, the availability of several standards for ICT management remains a challenge in the higher education landscape – with each standard coming with its specific purposes, pros, and cons. It is up to the universities to choose which standard is best applicable to the specific conditions, limitations and complexity of their system.

The “One Platform One Protocol for AUN ICT Model” is conceived as a part of AUN-ICT’s endeavours to assist AUN Member and Associate Member Universities in this regard through exploration and developments of the ICT framework under the context of ASEAN higher education. The model combines five working areas of ICT quality management and services into One Platform One Protocol, namely:

1. Product Development
2. Project Management
3. IT Service
4. Cybersecurity
5. Operational Management

The integration of the five working areas under “one platform, one protocol” could benefit universities in reducing implementation speed and enhancing cost efficiency when compared to utilising multiple systems.

AUN-ICT Workshop

To bolster the initiative’s regional work to enhance higher education institutions’ (HEIs) capability in ICT quality management, the AUN-ICT workshop was spearheaded with the aim to enhance the capability of ASEAN Higher Education Institutions to achieve excellence in performance in ICT systems and management at the institutional level as well as addressing the pressing need for digital transformation. This initiative also serves as a platform for participants, who are specialised in Information Technology and experienced in managing university ICT systems, to provide feedback and contribute to the developments of ICT systems.

This is part of the workshop’s overarching goals to:

• Advance the practical aspects of implementing the Quality Standardisation of University's ICT System and Management Framework,
• Ensure comprehensive understanding of the AUN-ICT Framework among AUN Member Universities and Associate Member Universities, 
• Identify pilot universities for the next phase of the initiative.

The first AUN-ICT workshop, titled , was held on 21-23 March 2023, at Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, Thailand to pursue these preliminary goals with specific focus on establishing the background and discussion on potential ICT systems and models to help improve ICT quality management for universities under the context of ASEAN higher education.

With the second AUN-ICT Framework workshop set to continue the work from its first iteration and further contribute to the initiative’s mission to enhance ICT management capability in ASEAN HEIs, we at the AUN Secretariat are excited to share with our readers any developments which may arise from the event. 

Stay tuned to the AUN E-Newsletter and the AUN’s website for further new coverage from the event.

Learn more about Prince of Songkla University’s Quality Standardisation in University's Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) System and Management Workshop at:

On the afternoon of December 25, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE) solemnly held a special ceremony featuring three main activities: awarding certificates recognizing eligibility for the title of Associate Professor and official decisions on the appointment of Associate Professors in 2024; summarizing the activities of Strong Research Groups during the 2022–2024 period; and awarding lecturers and students with outstanding achievements in scientific research. The ceremony was not only an occasion to acknowledge significant accomplishments but also affirmed HCMUE’s status and role in education and scientific research.

Attending the ceremony, HCMUE was honored to welcome: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Anh Tuấn, Chief of the Office of the State Council for Professorship; Dr. Vũ Thanh Bình, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training; Dr. Phạm Như Nghệ, Former Deputy Director of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training; along with distinguished delegates and leaders from various agencies, units, and institutions both within and outside the university.

At the beginning of the event, the University honored and presented Appointment Decisions to the new Associate Professors of 2024:

• Assoc. Prof. Đỗ Tất Thiên, Dean of Psychology Department;
• Assoc. Prof. Phạm Duy Khánh, Head of the Division of Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Informatics;
• Assoc. Prof. Phạm Cử Thiện, Senior Lecturer of the Division of Anatomy - Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Biology.

This is the result of their tireless dedication to teaching and scientific research. The newly appointed Associate Professors not only prove their high-level expertise while also showcasing a continued commitment to educational development.

As part of the ceremony, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education also reviewed the activities of its Strong Research Groups during the 2022–2024 period. These groups including the Physics Group, Educational Psychology Group, Chemistry Group, and Mathematical Analysis Group have achieved remarkable success in scientific research and its applications. The research conducted by these groups not only holds theoretical value but also makes practical contributions to social development, strengthening HCMUE’s position within the scientific community.

Scientific research is one of the core activities at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. In the 2023–2024 academic year, HCMUE implemented 380 student scientific research projects, with a total funding of 2,444,000,000 VND. After a selection process, 35 outstanding projects were chosen for publication in the Proceedings of the Student Scientific Research Conference, and 7 excellent projects were published in prestigious international journals. This achievement not only confirms the quality of HCMUE students’ research but also contributes to enhancing the University’s reputation within the international academic community. Additionally, 16 projects were published in domestic journals, and some have been applied practically in teaching at educational institutions in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, the University also acknowledges success in scientific research awards. At the 2024 Science and Technology Awards for students of higher education institutions, 14 projects from the University achieved outstanding results, including 2 First Prizes, 6 Second Prizes, 3 Third Prizes, and 2 Consolation Prizes.

Regarding the 2024 Euréka Student Scientific Research Awards, the University participated with 42 projects. After the semifinal round, 5 projects advanced to the final round, achieving 1 First Prize, 1 Second Prize, and 3 Consolation Prizes.

At this solemn ceremony, Prof. Dr. Huỳnh Văn Sơn, President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, warmly congratulated the newly appointed associate professors, lecturers, and students who have achieved outstanding results in scientific research. He expressed hope that in the coming years, the faculty and students will continue to maintain and build upon these proud achievements, attain even greater success, and contribute to enhancing HCMUE’s standing within the national and regional academic communities.

The ceremony was not only an occasion to honor the achievements attained but also an important event demonstrating Ho Chi Minh City University of Education’s commitment to continuously developing high-quality human resources, promoting scientific research, and contributing to the nation’s educational mission.

Photos:

Panoramic view of the ceremony

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Anh Tuấn, Chief of the Office of the State Council for Professorship awarded Certificates to newly appointed Associate Professors

HCMUE’s Strong Research Groups were honored at the ceremony

Lecturers and students who achieved high honors at the 2024 Science and Technology Awards for students received recognition at the ceremony.

Students who achieved high honors at the 2024 Euréka Student Scientific Research Awards

On the afternoon of June 14, 2024, the closing ceremony of the CIMPA 2024 International Summer School with the theme "Applied Number Theory" was held at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. Attending the program were Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, vice president of the university, along with representatives from affiliated and subordinate units and representatives from partnering organizations.

The CIMPA Summer School on “Applied Number Theory” 2024 is a project organized by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Information Technology at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in collaboration with the Number Theory Foundation (NTF), the International Mathematical Union (IMU), and the RNTA Organization. The summer school took place from June 3 to June 14, 2024, bringing together 59 students from various countries and 8 professors from prestigious universities around the world. These professors delivered high-quality lectures and rigorous sessions, inspiring and broadening the knowledge and perspectives of all participants in the field of number theory. The summer school was highly praised for both its academic excellence and the professional, meticulous organization by Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

The CIMPA Summer School is a significant event that underscores Ho Chi Minh City University of Education's commitment to advancing research and teaching in applied mathematics. It provides an opportunity for participants to learn from and stay current with leading international experts in applied number theory. Additionally, it fosters long-term connections and collaborations among researchers, educators, and students from various countries, promoting the development of mathematics not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia and globally. The CIMPA Summer School 2024 will contribute to enhancing the status of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education within the international mathematics community and affirm Vietnam's role in contributing to the global advancement of mathematical sciences.

With its extensive experience and strong commitment to enhancing the quality of education and research, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education takes pride in hosting this important event. The CIMPA Summer School 2024 is not only an academic event but also a significant step forward in connecting and promoting international collaboration in the field of mathematics. With the participation of outstanding students and faculty from around the world, the university aims to provide an advanced learning and research environment, contributing to the sustainable and comprehensive development of global mathematics.