On the afternoon of December 29, a launch ceremony for the 2026 student scientific research movement and a seminar on “Digital Assets in the Financial and Banking System” were held at the School of Banking and Finance. The event was part of a series of activities at National Economics University (NEU) to promote student scientific research, focusing on digital transformation, digital competencies, digital assets, and artificial intelligence (AI) in Vietnam’s financial system.

An overview of the event

Representing NEU at the event were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huu Nghi, Vice Dean of the School of Banking and Finance. Guests from outside the University included Jeffrey Tchui, Vice President and Director of the APAC Ecosystem at Hedera Foundation; Le Dat, Growth Director; and Dang Trang, Director of Product Management at Varmeta.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance, delivers remarks

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance at NEU, said that the student scientific research movement is a regular annual activity at both NEU and the School of Banking and Finance.

Student scientific research activities for the 2024-2025 academic year were launched at the beginning of the academic year. By March 2025, the School had received 59 projects from research groups. The projects underwent an open and transparent review and assessment process, through which the review panel selected 35 projects for submission to the University-level awards. All of these projects won awards.

At the University level, the School of Banking and Finance won five first prizes (out of 25 first prizes across the University, equivalent to 20% of the University’s first prizes), seven second prizes, eight third prizes, and 23 consolation prizes. Notably, all five of the School of Banking and Finance’s University-level first-prize projects selected for submission to the ministry-level awards achieved strong results, winning one first prize, one second prize, and three consolation prizes.

Student scientific research at the School of Banking and Finance has increased in volume, while the quality of research projects has also continued to improve. The number of student research articles published in domestic and international journals continues to rise, including publications indexed in Scopus/ISI.

With its record of University- and ministry-level awards over the years, the School of Banking and Finance has consistently affirmed its position as one of NEU’s leading units in the student scientific research movement.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que shared: “To continue building an effective scientific research environment for students, the School of Banking and Finance is organizing a launch ceremony for the student scientific research movement for the 2025-2026 academic year as part of NEU’s series of activities to promote student scientific research.

This year’s research themes focus on areas of foremost interest, such as digital transformation, digital competencies, digital assets, and applications of artificial intelligence in Vietnam’s financial system.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance, presents flowers to the delegates

In particular, through interaction and discussion with speakers at the seminar on ‘Digital Assets in the Financial and Banking System,’ faculty members and students will have the opportunity to access up-to-date, multifaceted information on digital assets and the trends shaping digital assets in the financial and banking system. This is considered an inevitable trend in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the increasingly far-reaching impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.”

The event brought together numerous experts in finance, technology, and education to analyze trends in digital asset development and directions for workforce development amid accelerating digital transformation.

Joining the School of Banking and Finance in the seminar were Varmeta, a Vietnamese technology company specializing in blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and Hedera Foundation, an organization specializing in providing the community resources, funding, and commercial platforms needed to shape the future of the digital economy.

The seminar featured experienced speakers, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huu Nghi, Vice Dean of the School of Banking and Finance at NEU; Frank Le, Growth Director at Varmeta; and Jeffrey Tchui, Vice President and Director of the APAC Ecosystem at Hedera Foundation.

From left: Mr. Le Dat, Mr. Jeffrey Tchui, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huu Nghi, and Ms. Dang Trang

Speaking at the seminar as a representative of the education sector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huu Nghi said that the School of Banking and Finance would change its Fintech specialization to Fintech and Digital Banking and officially open admissions for its first cohort in 2026. This change aims to focus on in-depth education, helping students gain a solid understanding of finance and banking before engaging with technology, rather than pursuing short-term trends.

The seminar provided a space for open discussion, helping students gain an overview of digital assets and how blockchain is changing financial infrastructure, from payments and reconciliation to asset management and compliance.

Through the keynote session and discussions with speakers, the seminar clarified topics of current interest, such as tokenization, stablecoins, digital securities, and emerging trends in digital assets.

Delegates and students pose for a commemorative photo

Alongside foundational knowledge, the seminar also focused on career perspectives: the skills students need to develop and the categories of roles emerging in the digital finance era. These insights help students chart development paths suited to a rapidly changing market.

Article and photos: School of Banking and Finance & Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.