Ho Chi Minh City university inaugurates $8.8m state-of-the-art research center

On Thursday, the institution, a member of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, unveiled its Policy Development Research Center (Building A3) after nine months of construction. 

The center is designed to bring together faculty members, scientists, students and businesses to promote interdisciplinary research and innovation. 

A 13,000-square-meter research facility

The new facility cost a total investment of VND228 billion ($8.8 million), funded by the state budget, an interest-subsidized loan supported by Ho Chi Minh City and the university’s own capital.

The five-story building spans more than 13,000 square meters and houses research institutes, laboratories for business intelligence and AI applications in economics and business, a mock courtroom, an arbitration simulation room and other practical training facilities. 

It also features an interdisciplinary laboratory for technology, law and economics, a TIA-942 Rated-2 server room, a library, meeting rooms and a 300-seat auditorium.

Designed in the shape of a heart, the building is intended to serve as a hub where researchers, lecturers and students can connect, exchange ideas and collaborate on innovation.

Hoang Cong Gia Khanh, the university’s rector, said Building A3 will connect the university’s research and training activities with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City’s research and innovation ecosystem, supporting research groups involving lecturers, doctoral candidates and students.

The building is designed to foster cooperation between government, academia and businesses. Its laboratories will support the use of data analytics and AI in business decisions, corporate management and policy impact assessments.

Khanh said the university aims to link research with training, enabling students to contribute to knowledge creation and develop new solutions.

With its heart-inspired design, the center is envisioned as a 'heart of knowledge' connecting students, lecturers, researchers and research activities.

Supporting Ho Chi Minh City's development through research

Khanh said the center’s research priorities include green growth, financing mechanisms for the green transition, the institutional framework for an international financial center, digital assets and megacity governance. These areas align with Ho Chi Minh City’s and Vietnam’s development needs.

The university also plans to expand cooperation with businesses, organizations and research partners. 

It has previously agreed with the Ho Chi Minh City Young Business Association to use Building A3 for joint programs connecting researchers, students and businesses to develop practical solutions.

Khanh encouraged students to take an active role in research, ask questions and test their ideas. 

“A small research project, if carried out seriously, can teach you to seek evidence, defend your arguments and take responsibility for the solutions you propose,” he said