1900 2039 
p.dbcl@ntt.edu.vn
NTTU – Recently, Nguyen Tat Thanh University participated in a thematic seminar on university rankings organized by Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) in collaboration with Times Higher Education (THE). The seminar provided an opportunity for higher education institutions to update themselves on the latest changes in international ranking methodologies, while also exchanging experiences in utilizing data to support institutional governance and quality improvement.
The seminar brought together leaders of VNU-HCM, experts from THE, and representatives of university leadership, as well as staff responsible for data management and university rankings from numerous higher education institutions in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring localities, including Da Nang, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Can Tho. Representatives from the Quality Assurance Office of Nguyen Tat Thanh University attended and participated in discussions during the program.
Speaking at the seminar, VNU-HCM leadership stated that self-assessment and institutional performance measurement are essential components of modern university governance. Accordingly, university rankings should be viewed as tools that help institutions identify their strengths and areas requiring improvement in order to enhance the quality of education and research in a sustainable manner, rather than focusing solely on ranking positions.
Sharing the same perspective, representatives from THE emphasized that data and benchmarking play a vital role in strategic planning, enabling universities to make evidence-based decisions and monitor the effectiveness of their quality improvement initiatives.
During the seminar, THE experts presented the latest updates to the methodologies of the THE World University Rankings (WUR), Asia University Rankings (AUR), and THE Sustainability Impact Ratings. They also provided hands-on guidance on using the THE DataPoints platform for strategic planning.
One notable point highlighted was the scoring structure of the THE World University Rankings, in which the Research Environment and Research Quality criteria together account for approximately 60% of the total score. Ranking data are compiled from three principal sources: institutional data submitted directly by universities, the global Academic Reputation Survey, and scientific bibliographic data from Scopus.
THE representatives also advised universities to periodically review author information and research publications indexed in Scopus, particularly following institutional name changes or organizational restructuring, in order to ensure that the data accurately reflect the institution’s actual research capacity.
Earlier, as part of THE’s working visit to Vietnam, representatives from Times Higher Education Asia-Pacific also met with Nguyen Tat Thanh University to discuss the University’s ranking results and future directions for collaboration. The delegation was led by Ms. Mei Mei Lim, Director of Times Higher Education for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, accompanied by Ms. Jessica Wang, Director of Times Higher Education for Southeast Asia.
Welcoming the delegation were Dr. Ho Thi My Linh, Head of the Quality Assurance Office of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, and Mr. Le Quang Khanh, M.A., Deputy Head of the University’s Office of International Cooperation.
During the meeting, both parties reviewed the University’s performance across various international ranking systems. In the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, Nguyen Tat Thanh University continued to rank No. 1 in Vietnam for SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, while ranking 2nd in Vietnam for SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, and joint 3rd in Vietnam for both SDG 5 – Gender Equality and the Overall Score. These achievements reflect the University’s ongoing efforts to promote collaboration, sustainable development, and positive contributions to the community.
The two sides also analyzed data through the THE DataPoints – World University Rankings Dashboard to evaluate the University’s performance across individual assessment criteria. Through this analysis, THE representatives recognized that Nguyen Tat Thanh University demonstrated several strengths in research-related indicators, particularly those measuring the research environment and the citation impact of scientific publications. They also discussed indicators with further potential for improvement in order to continue enhancing the University’s research quality and academic reputation.
In addition to ranking-related discussions, both parties exchanged views on international programs, forums, and awards organized by THE, including the THE Awards Asia, Digital Universities Asia, World Academic Summit, and the Global Sustainable Development Congress. These events bring together higher education institutions from around the world to share experiences in university governance, innovation, digital transformation, research, and sustainable development, while also expanding international networking and collaboration opportunities.
In the coming period, the two parties will continue maintaining communication, sharing experiences, and exploring suitable opportunities for the University’s faculty members, staff, and students to participate in THE’s international programs and forums.
Through its participation in the seminar and its exchanges with Times Higher Education, Nguyen Tat Thanh University continues to keep pace with emerging trends in university governance, international ranking methodologies, and the application of data for quality enhancement. These activities also provide a foundation for the University to further develop a data-driven governance system, improve the quality of education and research, expand partnerships with international educational institutions, and implement its development strategy based on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Prepared by: Hong Quang
Information provided by: Department of Quality Assurance
Photos: Media
