Phenikaa University becomes Vietnam’s model for private innovation education

THE HANOI TIMES — Phenikaa University on July 22 received the government’s decision to perform its institutional transformation and become a university with multiple member schools.

The transformation of Phenikaa University reflects the key role of private universities in diversifying Vietnam’s university education by giving students more options beside applying for State-owned institutions.

Through the case of Phenikaa University, the government wants to raise private resources in high-quality manpower development, harness the reform of the education and training sector, accelerate innovation among universities, and increase the nation’s competitiveness on the global market.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the university for its achievements in training, research, and technology transfer.

He encouraged Phenikaa to become a model for new-generation private universities, emphasizing the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and skilled human resources in national development.

Chinh also called on ministries to establish a legal framework for autonomous, high-quality universities and urged Phenikaa to prioritize learner-centered development, research, entrepreneurship, and community service.

Founded in 2007, Phenikaa University is a member of Phenikaa Group, a multi-sectoral conglomerate in science, technology, manufacturing, and education fields. It has enrolled nearly 25,000 students and offered over 100 academic programs across its five specialized schools.

The university aims to rank among the top 100 in Asia by 2030 and the top 200 universities worldwide by 2035. By 2035, the university aims to generate 70% of its revenue from innovation and launch two spin-offs valued at over US$100 million.

Phenikaa University has ranked No. 1 in Vietnam in the Nature Index for several consecutive years. The index tracks high-quality research in the natural sciences, life sciences, and earth sciences.

It is also among the top three Vietnamese institutions in Research Papers in Economics, a globally respected index that evaluates academic output in economics.

In the 2025 SCImago Institutions Rankings, which measure research performance, innovation, and societal impact, Phenikaa ranks among the top five Vietnamese universities.

The university earned a 5-star rating for innovation under the University Performance Metrics (UPM) benchmarking system, highlighting its strong focus on applied research and technology transfer.

Phenikaa was also named among the top eight institutions in Asia at the 2025 Times Higher Education Awards, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in higher education across the region.