On October 22, the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Science, Technology, Innovation and Society (IRGSTIS) – a VNU-level strong research group led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đào Thanh Trường – held a meeting to develop its action plan and strategic objectives for the coming years.
IRGSTIS held a meeting to develop its action plan and strategic objectives for the coming years.
During the meeting, the group discussed key research priorities and directions for the 2025–2027 period. To fulfill its long-term goals, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đào Thanh Trường emphasized the importance of focusing on research areas that combine technological advancement with social impact assessment and policy consultation. One of IRGSTIS’s core missions is to provide social forecasts and policy recommendations addressing the societal implications of emerging technologies.
Accordingly, the group’s research, publication, and policy advisory activities will align with the 11 national strategic technology groups, as defined in Decision No. 1131/QĐ-TTg dated June 12, 2025, by the Prime Minister. In its initial phase, IRGSTIS will prioritize interdisciplinary research connecting the social sciences with three of VNU’s technological strengths:
- Biomedical and Health Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science
- Robotics and Automation Technologies
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đào Thanh Trường also outlined both short-term and long-term plans, highlighting the group’s commitment to developing annual research outputs such as reports on the social impacts of AI, digital transformation, and online education.
During the session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Việt Khôi, Vice Head of the Research Group, presented a plan for an interdisciplinary project on AI’s social impact, emphasizing its effects on two key areas: employment and education/training.
Dr. Chu Đình Tới, Vice Head of the Research group, elaborated on specific research strategies and clarified the roles and responsibilities of each member, including the establishment of a monitoring and KPI evaluation system. He also stressed the importance of collaboration among subgroups to ensure that all research outputs demonstrate IRGSTIS’s interdisciplinary character, with particular emphasis on international publications, knowledge transfer, and intellectual property development.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong, IRGSTIS should focus on training young researchers, particularly doctoral students, to join the team and foster its growth with a spirit of collaboration and mentorship.
Group members contributed ideas and research proposals based on their expertise, particularly in technological fields with significant social implications, expressing strong motivation to collaborate and advance the group’s shared goals.
In addition to implementing its research agenda, IRGSTIS places strong emphasis on training young researchers and PhD students. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đào Thanh Trường reaffirmed the group’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of scholars through a spirit of mentorship, collaboration, and continuity, bridging research and academic training.
With its strategic vision and defined objectives, IRGSTIS aspires to become a leading research group at VNU in exploring the social dimensions of science, technology, and innovation, serving as a pioneer in interdisciplinary collaboration, providing evidence-based policy recommendations, and contributing to the knowledge foundation for sustainable development and governance in the digital era.
