Pre-Doctoral Programme K02: Research Through Mindset, Discipline and Publication Strategy

As part of the advanced research capacity development programme, on 7 March 2026, Pre-Doctoral Programme K02 participants attended an inspiring session with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Van Nam – Director of the Institute of Graduate Studies at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH). The session not only provided professional knowledge but also equipped participants with systematic thinking and strategies to pursue success in international academic rankings.

Academic Writing: The Key to Research Quality 

At the beginning of the session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Van Nam emphasized that scientific research is not only about possessing knowledge, but also about systematically organizing and communicating that knowledge through Academic Writing. This is a core skill that determines how effectively research value can be communicated to the global scientific community.

Participants received detailed guidance on the standard IMRAD structure (Introduction – Methods – Results – and – Discussion), an essential “roadmap” for an international research paper. Following this structure not only ensures logical presentation but also enables researchers to communicate their work transparently and convincingly to rigorous peer-review panels.

Publication Strategy and “Decoding” Academic Metrics 

One of the key topics was the ability to select the appropriate “arena” for research publications. The lecturer guided participants in analyzing and understanding key indicators used to evaluate journal reputation, including:

• Impact Factor (IF) & CiteScore: Indicators of a journal’s influence and citation frequency.
• H-index: An indicator combining the number of publications and citations received by a researcher.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Van Nam also highlighted common mistakes that can lead to desk rejection, ranging from formatting issues and weak methodology to selecting an unsuitable journal segment. These practical lessons provided valuable insights, helping participants save time and improve their chances of success when submitting research papers.

Preparing for the PhD Journey 

Beyond academic writing and publication skills, the session also focused on building a professional PhD application profile. From identifying innovative research directions to approaching potential academic supervisors, the lecturer inspired participants to view research as a journey that requires persistence, discipline, and a clear personal strategy.

The session concluded with lively discussions, offering young researchers at UEF new perspectives on their academic journey. With the guidance and support of experienced experts, K02 participants are gaining a clearer and stronger pathway toward pursuing their PhD aspirations.

Department of Science, Technology and International Projects