Final Night of the Innovation Research Challenge 2026

On the evening of June 4, 2026, the Final Night of the Innovation Research Challenge 2026 took place at National Economics University, attracting the attention of numerous students passionate about academic research and innovation. The competition serves as a meaningful academic platform, encouraging students to develop research thinking, propose creative ideas, and apply knowledge to address real-world economic and social development challenges.

Representatives of the Organizing Committee present gifts to the participating teams

The ceremony was honored by the presence of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President; Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Head of the Research Department; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong – Director of the Center for Innovation and Career Development, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Competition; along with representatives of the leadership from Schools, Departments, Faculties, Institutes, Centers, political and social organizations, and especially a large number of students from within and outside the university.

Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Head of the Research Department speaks at the program

In his welcoming remarks at the program, Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Head of the Research Department, highly appreciated the significance of the Innovation Research Challenge 2026 in encouraging students to engage in academic research, develop critical thinking, and enhance their innovative capabilities.

According to Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh, academic research is not only an academic activity but also a process that helps learners cultivate thinking methods, problem identification, and analysis skills, thereby proposing valuable solutions for practical applications. He affirmed that the competition has contributed to building a dynamic academic environment, enabling students to proactively approach new issues in the economy and society, while also fostering the creativity and responsibility of the young generation in response to development demands in the new era.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong – Director of the Center for Innovation and Career Development speaks at the Final Night

Continuing the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong – Director of the Center for Innovation and Career Development, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Competition, shared insights on the journey of implementing the Innovation Research Challenge 2026 and her expectations for the participating teams. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong emphasized that the competition is an opportunity for students to enhance their research thinking, creative capabilities, and ability to apply knowledge to practice. Additionally, the Center for Innovation and Career Development is committed to continuing to accompany and support students in connecting with the innovation ecosystem, creating conditions for research ideas to develop and be realized in the future.

Following the opening ceremony, the teams entered the official competition round, which included presenting research ideas, debating with other teams, and answering questions from the Judging Panel. The competitions were lively, showcasing serious preparation, creative spirit, and the ability to apply specialized knowledge to research and solve practical problems.

Through presentations and debates, the teams brought diverse perspectives on innovation in learning, business, and socio-economic management. Many topics were highly praised by the Judging Panel for their novelty, practicality, and applicability. The open academic exchanges among the teams, along with in-depth comments and critiques from the Judging Panel, contributed to enhancing the professional quality of the competition while spreading the spirit of academic research and innovation among students.

At the conclusion of the program, the Organizing Committee awarded 1 First Prize, 2 Second Prizes, 3 Third Prizes, and 3 Consolation Prizes to the outstanding teams. These awards are a well-deserved recognition of the research efforts, creative spirit, and serious investment of the teams throughout the competition journey.

The Organizing Committee awarded the First Prize to the team consisting of students: Nguyen Ha Linh, Nguyen Quang Huy, Nghiem Bao Tran – Banking and Finance Institute (NEU); Ly Ngoc Thuy Duong – Faculty of Economic Mathematics (NEU); Phung Huu Khoa – University of Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

The Organizing Committee awarded the Second Prizes to teams with students from National Economics University, Foreign Trade University, and University of Labor and Social Affairs

The Organizing Committee awarded the Third Prizes to teams with students from National Economics University and University of Economics – University of Danang

The Organizing Committee awarded the Consolation Prizes to teams with students from National Economics University, University of Commerce, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi National University of Education

Concluding with many positive impressions, the Final Night of the Innovation Research Challenge 2026 contributed to spreading the spirit of academic research, innovation, and the aspiration to conquer knowledge among NEU students. Not only is it an academic playground for students to showcase their research capabilities and creative thinking, but the competition also creates an environment for academic exchange and encourages new ideas aimed at solving practical issues.

The success of the competition continues to affirm NEU’s commitment to developing scientific research capabilities and innovation among students, while also laying the foundation for the University to further promote research activities, entrepreneurship, and connections with the innovation ecosystem in the future.

Some other images from the program: