Sydney Vietnam Academic Network
Impacting lives through collaborative research and education
February 2025 Newsletter
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| Welcome to the Sydney Vietnam Academic Network Newsletter
Featuring some of our current research projects, achievements,
opportunities, news and events
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Welcome to the first SVAN newsletter for 2025! We hope you had a fantastic Tết. As we transition from the year of the Dragon to the year of the Snake, SVAN has also completed a transition of its own. We’re excited that from 1 January, SVAN was officially embedded within the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC). The move from FMH Networks to SSEAC acknowledges the significant role of the SVAN across the University, and the synergies with SSEAC’s Strategy 2024–2029 including strengthening disciplinary and cross-disciplinary links across countries through country academic networks like SVAN. Thank you to FMH Networks for their invaluable support over recent years. We look forward to working with SSEAC and continuing to build the SVAN under the SSEAC banner.
Associate Professor Justin Beardsley and Professor Greg Fox
on behalf of the SVAN Executive
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 | From left: A/Prof Justin Beardsley and A/Prof Vu Van Giap receiving flowers from the Director of Bach Mai Hospital, A/Prof Dao Xuan Co
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Outstanding academics recognised
Congratulations to A/Prof Justin Beardsley on his Honorary Professorship conferred by the Hanoi Medical University (HMU) in February. The conferral recognises his significant contribution to infectious disease research in Vietnam, including on fungal infections, tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance. “It’s such a great honour to receive this professorship, from Vietnam’s oldest medical university,” A/Prof Beardsley said. “It really shows how strong the relationship is between our institutions and I’m looking forward to the work it allows us to do together in teaching, research, and all sorts of academic exchange.SVAN also congratulates Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital, A/Prof Vu Van Giap, who was appointed as Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, recognising his exceptional contribution to respiratory diseases research and dedication to research collaborations.
Their achievements were celebrated at a ceremony in Hanoi.
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Expanding community-based TB screening in Vietnam
The Sydney Vietnam Institute hosted a delegation of leaders from the Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Can Tho at its Hanoi office in January. As well as exchanging practical knowledge, this working visit was an opportunity for the parties to strengthen their working relationships and demonstrate their commitment to expanding community-based TB screening and tackling antimicrobial resistance in humans and agriculture.
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 | A/Prof Jane Gavan (centre) with experts and participants at the grants application skills workshop held at HCMC University of Culture
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Grant application skills workshop enhances research capacity
In February, A/Prof Jane Gavan and Dr Pham Lan Huong of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture led a workshop on research grant application skills. A/Prof Gavan is currently supporting the implementation of the new Cultural Heritage Law, introduced in November 2024 and expected to take effect from July 2025. The workshop focused on how to identify funding opportunities, build competitive application profiles, and ensure proposals align with Vietnam’s evolving cultural policies.
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 | Prof Thu-Anh Nguyen presenting to a visiting delegation of Vietnamese leaders on the work of the Sydney Vietnam Institute
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Study mission fosters knowledge exchange
A delegation of Vietnamese leaders visited the University of Sydney in December 2024 as part of a study mission organised by the Vietnam Australia Centre. Distinguished guests included A/Prof Duong Trung Y, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and Kevin Hobgood-Brown AM, Chair of the Member’s Council of the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI). Prof Thu-Anh Nguyen, SVI Executive Director, hosted the delegation and presented on the work of the Institute. The visit fostered valuable knowledge exchange with leading researchers and showcased innovative projects with the potential to drive positive change for Vietnam.
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- Sydney Southeast Asia Centre Incubator and Ignition Grants | closes 3 March 2025
- NHMRC Synergy Grants | minimum data due 5 March 2025 | closes 2 April 2025
- 2025 NMHRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program | minimum data due 19 March 2025 | closes 2 April 2025
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – the following opportunities close on 25 March 2025, 11:30am Pacific Daylight Time; 26 March 2025, 5:30am AEDT and 1.30am VNT
– Enhancing HIV and TB Diagnosis: Adjunct Technologies for Sample Collection and Processing | Register for webinar, 27 February 2025, 1–2am GMT
– Innovations for Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery | Register for webinar, 28 February 2025, 1–2am GMT
– Reducing the Burden of Preeclampsia | Register for webinar, 28 February 2025, 2:30–3:30am GMT
– Innovative Data and Modeling Approaches to Measure Women’s Health | Register for webinar, 5 March 2025, 2–3am GMT
- Wellcome Climate Impacts Awards | closes 30 April 2025 | Register for webinar, 3 March 2025, 12:00pm GMT
- Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund | EOI applications close 5 May 2025 | Register for webinar, 13 March 2–3pm AEDT
- ARC Linkage Projects | closes 25 June 2025
- MRFF – Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2025 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant | Round 1: minimum data due 2 July 2025 | closes 30 July 2025
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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MRFF clinical trials information session
The University of Sydney Research Portfolio and Submissions Team are holding an online information session for Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) clinical trial schemes, including an overview of the schemes, application process, and strategic tips on writing a grant application for these schemes. When: Friday, 28 February 2025, 11am–12 pm (AEDT)
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EOI: APCOVE Field Veterinary Epidemiology Training
The Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) invites eligible candidates from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia to express their interest in participating in the APCOVE Intermediate Field Veterinary Epidemiology Training. Priority will be given to veterinarians in government roles and those working in the field. Applications from women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged. The program includes online training, in-country study design workshops, field projects and a report writing bootcamp for select candidates.
EOIs close 15 March 2025
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Call for papers: 10th Biennial Conference of the AsianSIL
The 10th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law (AsianSIL) will be held in Hanoi on 9–10 October 2025. Hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the theme of the conference is ‘Strengthening the Role of International Law in Asia’. Participants from around the world who are keen on exploring Asian legal issues are welcome to apply.
Submissions close 15 March 2025
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Now open! Australia Awards Scholarships Intake 2026
Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships for Master’s study in Australia commencing in Semester 2 (June 2026) are now open. Central, provincial and district-level agency officials, staff of non-government organisations and Vietnamese companies, academics and researchers are eligible to apply. People with disabilities and from disadvantaged rural areas are strongly encouraged to apply. The priority fields of study include agriculture, digital transformation, education, environment, climate change, governance, gender equality, disability, health and human rights. Applications close 30 April 2025
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20th Pacific Basin Consortium International Conference
Registrations are now open for the 20th Pacific Basin Consortium for Environment and Health International Conference to be held on 28–31 May in Ho Chi Minh City. The conference theme is ‘Bidirectional interactions between climate and health’. The conference will bring together scientists, engineers, policymakers, industry representatives, government officials and students to present research in areas relevant to human and environmental health and discuss effective, affordable solutions. It will be delivered in hybrid mode, with Plenary sessions presented in person and virtually.
When: 28–31 May 2025, Ho Chi Minh City, hybrid mode
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Save the date! The 13th Conference of the IASC-ARS
A/Prof Minh Ngoc Tran will present a keynote speech at the 13th Conference of the International Association for Statistical Computing-Asian Regional Section (IASC-ARS). The conference will be held at the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, in December. We’ll share more details as they become available. In the meantime, save the date and stay tuned to the IASC-ARS conference website.
When: 4–6 December 2025, University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City
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CLINICAL TRIALS IN VIETNAM
The PHOENIx trial on the treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) has begun recruitment in Vietnam, marking the start of the Sydney Vietnam Institute’s first clinical trial in Vietnam. All other trials – FLIRT, CRUSH-TB and ASTERoidD – have been approved and are due to start within the first quarter of 2025.
New trials have also been discussed in consultation with SVAN academics, including trials on TB as well as other areas such as surgery and cardiovascular diseases.
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VQUIN trial offers new hope in fight against MDR-TB
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a major barrier to control of tuberculosis (TB), the leading infectious disease killer globally. An estimated 400,000 people develop MDR-TB disease each year. Household contacts of people with MDR-TB are at high risk of getting infected and developing drug-resistant TB. While protecting the close contacts of people with MDR-TB is a global health priority, evidence about effective strategies to prevent MDR-TB has been limited. Responding to an urgent call by the World Health Organization (WHO) for trials of preventive treatments for people at high risk of MDR-TB, the VQUIN trial was designed to fill this evidence gap. Led by University of Sydney investigators and developed in collaboration with the Woolcock Vietnam and the Vietnam National TB Program, the VQUIN trial was the first trial of preventive therapy for MDR-TB, among both adults and children.
The VQUIN trial was conducted in Vietnam, a high-burden setting for MDR-TB. Participants were recruited from public TB clinics in 10 urban and rural provinces across Vietnam. In the trial, 2,041 adults and children living with a person with MDR-TB in the household were randomised to receive either a daily dose of levofloxacin, an accessible and low-cost antibiotic, or an identical placebo for six months. They were then monitored for 30 months. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that there were 45% fewer cases of TB in the group given levofloxacin compared to the placebo group. Importantly, levofloxacin was found to be safe and well-tolerated in adults and children. “This evidence changes the way we care for people at risk of drug-resistant TB,” said Professor Greg Fox, who led the VQUIN trial. “We now have a way of stopping people with early TB infection from becoming sick and spreading their infection to other people. The VQUIN trial is a major step forward in the fight against MDR-TB.” VQUIN has already changed global guidelines for preventing drug-resistant TB. In 2024, WHO issued updated TB prevention guidelines including a STRONG recommendation for levofloxacin to prevent MDR-TB. These global guidelines form the basis for TB policies in 30 countries with the highest burdens of TB. In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has recommended levofloxacin for all high-risk contacts of people with MDR-TB.
Congratulations to all involved in the VQUIN trial, which has provided a pivotal contribution to evidence-based practice and immediate impact globally in the treatment of TB.
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In case you missed it
- Prof Thu-Anh Nguyen discusses academia, research (including on drug-resistant TB), partnerships and more on Vietnam Innovators podcast: Listen here or Watch on YouTube.
- The National Assembly of Vietnam has approved a number of bureaucratic restructures aimed at streamlining administrative structures, improving efficiencies and driving national development. The ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute examines the bureaucratic restructuring agenda in ‘Vietnam’s Bureaucratic Reforms: Opportunities and Challenges in “The Era of National Rise”’.
- On 25–26 February, Vietnam hosted the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025 on ‘Building a united, inclusive and resilient ASEAN amidst global transformations’.The Hanoi Times reported on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s opening speech and strategic priorities for ASEAN. VietNamNet Global covered the high-level plenary speakers including the prime ministers of Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor-Leste and New Zealand here and here.
- Ahead of the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025, ASEAN Wonk Podcast interviewed Dr Nguyen Hung Son, acting president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. The wide-ranging discussion includes how Vietnam came to host the AFF, the regional tech race, middle power diplomacy and where Vietnam’s bamboo diplomacy is headed with its upcoming party congress in 2026. Listen here or read the transcript here.
- A major US-based technology company has revealed plans to develop an AI research and data centre in Vietnam to enable AI development in key sectors such as healthcare, reports OpenGov Asia.
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Member special offer! Online Vietnamese language classes
Interested in learning Vietnamese in a friendly and supportive group environment? Academics across the University have been participating in an innovative online Vietnamese language program with our in-country language partner, Tieng Viet Oi. Classes are held twice a week online with expert teachers from Vietnam, and are available at beginner, intermediate and advanced level. This is a fantastic way to build confidence in your speaking and listening skills and gain insights into Vietnamese culture.
SVAN members and affiliates of the University of Sydney have access to up to 20 hours of subsidised classes. Fee support is based on group class attendance rate, so why not apply with another budding Vietnamese speaker. The classes are run in collaboration with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre.
Email Sydney-Vietnam.network@sydney.edu.au to express your interest.
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Join the Sydney Vietnam Academic Network to share your projects and hear about the latest news, events and grant opportunities tailored to research on and in Vietnam.
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