OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXPERT COURSE “RESEARCH DESIGN AND ETHICS”: OVER 110 PARTICIPANTS COMMITTED TO SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND ELEVATING PUBLICATION QUALITY

(Ho Chi Minh City) – On the morning of January 23, 2026, the expert course 'Research Design and Ethics' officially commenced. By convening over 110 participants from 82 educational institutions, healthcare facilities, research institutes, and corporate entities across 19 provinces and cities, alongside international delegates, the program contributes significantly to the national endeavor of elevating research standards in Vietnam.

Navigating Critical Challenges: From Initial Concept to International Publication

Speaking at the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Vy – Director of the Phuong Nam Institute – emphasized that the course's objective extends beyond providing theoretical knowledge; it aims to equip participants with the practical competency to independently design valid and high-quality studies from the outset. In the context of data proliferation and increasing publication pressure, elevating research to international standards requires a solid methodological "foundation" and a robust ethical "framework."

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Xuan Vy delivering the opening speech.

Spanning three days (January 23–25, 2026), the course focuses on resolving critical challenges faced by researchers: from identifying and controlling sources of bias and mitigating errors that lead to rejection, to mastering ethical principles to avoid the pitfalls of "predatory" journals.

Facilitated by Distinguished Experts

The academic caliber of the course is guaranteed by the participation of two renowned speakers:

• Prof. Tuan V. Nguyen: Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia. He is ranked within the top 0.05% of scientists worldwide in the fields of osteoporosis, bone density, and bone minerals (ScholarGPS, 2025).
• Dr. Tran Son Thach: Senior Research Officer at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia.

Comprehensive and Rigorous Curriculum

Comprising 12 intensive lectures, the course systematically guides participants through the entire scientific research lifecycle:

• Conceptual Foundations: Participants are instructed on formulating "robust and valid" research questions adhering to FINER criteria, mastering the progression from initial concepts to significant findings.
• Methodological Tools: Strategies for designing standardized questionnaires, calculating sample sizes for resource optimization, and applying data analysis techniques (descriptive and inferential) to prevent "p-hacking".
• Research Ethics and Publication: An in-depth analysis of over 50 types of bias, ethical concerns in publication such as plagiarism and honorary authorship, and case studies drawn from real-world scientific misconduct.

Prof. Tuan V. Nguyen presenting at the ceremony.

Fostering a Culture of International Standard Science

The course attracted a diverse cohort, including master's students, PhD candidates, physicians, lecturers, medical professionals, and researchers.

Panoramic view of the ceremony. Prof. Tuan V. Nguyen and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Xuan Vy with participants.

The convergence of over 110 participants from 82 diverse institutions across 19 provinces and cities, augmented by delegates from the US, Australia, Denmark, and beyond, underscores the critical demand for standardizing research capabilities in Vietnam. This course serves as a pivotal catalyst for enhancing the quality of research proposals, data reliability, and publication capacity, with the ultimate goal of fostering a rigorous, transparent, and globally integrated academic ecosystem.

VY TRAN