VNUA: Agricultural science is moving to serve the market

On May 26, Viet Nam National University of Agriculture organized the "VNUA science and technology month 2026 conference, review of science and technology activities in 2025 and period 2023 - 2025" The conference attracted a large number of scientists, businesses, lecturers, and students.

During period 2021-2025, VNUA implemented an average of 285 science and technology research topics and projects per year, generating numerous plant and animal varieties, bio-products, and technical processes with high practical value. The institution has gradually accessed and mastered a range of advanced technologies, including biotechnology, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, vaccines and bio-products, artificial intelligence, big data, environmental technology, deep processing technology, and circular agriculture.

From 'research projects' to 'practical products'

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, Director of the VNUA, emphasized that science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation have become strategic drivers of national development. In this context, universities should not only focus on education and training but also evolve into centers for knowledge creation, technology development, and value generation for society.

According to the Professor, the VNUA is strongly shifting from a mindset of "conducting research topics" to "creating products," and from purely academic research to research closely linked with the market and real-world production.

"We cannot conduct research just to store it in drawers. Today’s science and technology must reach products, reach enterprises, reach cooperatives, reach fields, factories, and people’s lives. This is also the path that the University has been consistently pursuing over the past years," Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan emphasized.

She also noted that the agriculture and environment sector is facing major challenges such as climate change, green transition, circular agriculture, carbon emission reduction, and technological competition. These challenges require a shift from fragmented research to “big problem” oriented research, from isolated studies to interdisciplinary approaches more closely connected with businesses and localities.

In its future development strategy, the University will continue to promote the “three-house” linkage model.

Bringing laboratories to the field

Sharing on the sidelines of the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Hoai, Head of the Aquatic Disease Research Group at the VNUA, said that the research team not only works in laboratories but also directly visits localities and aquaculture areas to support farmers in treating shrimp diseases.

According to him, practical production experience is used to further improve teaching content for students, while research results are also published in specialized scientific journals to disseminate knowledge to enterprises and experts domestically and internationally.

Not only focusing on applied research, the VNUA is also placing higher requirements on the quality, feasibility, and commercialisation potential of each science and technology task.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Tung, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, a research project can only succeed if it starts with identifying the right practical problem, clearly defining the expected outputs, and assessing post-research applicability. He also emphasized that current research requirements are no longer limited to ideas, but must demonstrate feasibility, transfer efficiency, and practical value for agricultural production.

At the conference, many delegates assessed that Resolution 57 identifies science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers for the country’s rapid and sustainable development in the new period. In this context, higher education must be strongly reformed toward integrating training with scientific research, technology transfer, practical needs, and the demands of a knowledge-based economy.

For the agriculture and environment sector, this is not only an urgent requirement to improve the quality of human resources, but also an important solution to promote an innovation ecosystem, commercialize science and technology products, and enhance productivity, added value, and national competitiveness in the context of deep international integration.

The Central Laboratory of Food Science and Technology (VNUA) was accredited to the ISO 17025:2017 standard in 2019. It currently has 24 food quality and safety testing parameters recognized and additionally accredited under VILAS 1234.

The laboratory has also been licensed by the Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality under Decree 107 to conduct testing activities covering 50 different parameters. Its main function is to provide nutritional quality and food safety testing services for enterprises, organizations, and individuals both within and outside the university.

In addition, the laboratory’s equipment actively supports in-depth research conducted by lecturers and students.