During Vietnam National University, Hanoi's 120th anniversary celebration, General Secretary and President To Lam assigned seven key tasks to the university. One of these was to "dare to lead, dare to experiment, and pave the way for new models in education, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation."
Scholars identify the innovative startup university (Inno-preneurial University) model as the most suitable approach to achieve this goal. This model integrates interdisciplinary approaches, diversifies resources, promotes social impact, and connects innovation ecosystems, making it particularly relevant for countries aiming to bridge development gaps through science, technology, innovation, and higher education.
Globally, university development has entered its third generation. Universities are now considered central drivers of the knowledge economy.
Despite embracing numerous autonomy opportunities, Vietnamese universities have not yet reached "critical mass" due to outdated management mindsets, a lack of interdisciplinary focus, and heavy reliance on state budgets for funding. Furthermore, invention, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer activities remain in their initial stages. In the knowledge economy, traditional university models, with their linear development, cannot fully meet contemporary development requirements.
For instance, purely research-focused universities excel at knowledge creation but often disconnect from practical applications. Conversely, institutions pursuing entrepreneurial trends risk diminishing academic depth. Meanwhile, innovation-focused university models, despite significant social impact, often struggle with achieving sustainable financial stability.
Within the knowledge economy, inevitable development demands that universities shift towards an integrated (hybrid) model, where the three pillars of science, market, and society connect. The Inno-preneurial University model emerges as a strategic solution, well-suited to Vietnam's realities.
Given current economic conditions, adopting a purely research-entrepreneurial university model would impose capital and infrastructure pressures beyond the capacity of most domestic institutions. Specialized models, such as technology universities or digital universities, cannot serve as a universal direction. Moreover, choosing innovation without linking it to market mechanisms would lead to financial autonomy challenges, especially with limited public resources.
The Inno-preneurial University model resolves this dilemma through its balanced approach. It does not demand that universities immediately achieve maximum levels in any single aspect, but rather integrates elements of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, digitalization, and sustainable development.
Within Vietnam's education system, Vietnam National University, Hanoi possesses core advantages in its multidisciplinary scale and research capabilities, making it well-suited to pioneer this model. However, for a successful transition, a key university must define its position across three dimensions, rather than solely focusing on traditional teaching:
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Students of Vietnam National University, Hanoi at the 2026 Job Fair and Innovation Day. *Photo: University Fanpage* |
First, robust research and development in basic and interdisciplinary sciences must remain the foundation. Without this prerequisite, any efforts in entrepreneurship or technology transfer will struggle to be sustainable.
Second, the university needs to actively collaborate with the market through intermediary institutions such as incubation centers, technology transfer offices, investment funds, and by fostering spin-off companies directly within the university. This is a decisive link to transform knowledge into commercial economic value.
Finally, from a systemic perspective, the university should no longer be a closed academic island but must act as a "platform". This platform will serve as a central hub for connecting and coordinating the flows of knowledge, technology, and human resources among the state, universities, and enterprises.
Transitioning to an integrated university model is not merely an organizational restructuring; it represents a pivotal shift in development methodology. As Vietnam accelerates towards a knowledge and technology-based digital economy, universities cannot simply focus on training; they must become drivers of technological creation and foster new value chains for the nation.
Vietnam National University, Hanoi currently comprises 12 member universities, along with several middle and high schools, serving approximately 78,700 students. VNU aims to become an elite university, striving to be among the top 100 in Asia by 2030 and among the top 300 universities worldwide by 2035.
According to the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings, Vietnam National University, Hanoi is ranked 158, leading the nation.
Nguyen Huu Duc
