ULIS FIRE Day 8.0 and Students Forum 2025: Highlighting Students’ Spirit of Research and Innovation
On April 17, 2025, the University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS – VNU) held the 8th ULIS FIRE Day and the 2025 Students Forum with the theme “Language, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship: Adapting and Developing in the Digital Age.” The event took place both offline and online via Zoom Webinar.
The program welcomed the university’s leaders, representatives from departments, and over 5,000 students. From VNU, Ms. Vo Thi Minh Trang – Deputy Head of Academic and Student Affairs – and representatives of the Youth Union and Student Association attended. The event also had guests from BIDV, Agribank, and other partner companies.
In his opening speech, Dr. Do Tuan Minh – Chairman of the University Council – expressed pride in the ULIS FIRE Day reaching its 8th year and the FIRE project completing five years. He praised students for their efforts in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and encouraged them to keep being proactive and creative to develop themselves and contribute to society.
Dr. Minh appreciated that the Students Forum was fully organized and led by students. He hoped the event would be an opportunity for deep academic exchange and a way for students to show their leadership and confidence in the digital era. He thanked all teachers and sponsors for supporting students and the FIRE project.
During the event, the university honored individuals and groups who contributed to the FIRE project, presented the UI Awards, and recognized sponsors.
In the main session, students Nguyen Bao Ngoc and Bui Thanh Nga gave a presentation titled “Gen Z: From the Desire for Knowledge to Community Action,” emphasizing how Gen Z is active, creative, and willing to explore research and innovation even while still in school. They also pointed out that many student projects, while strong in theory, still lack practical application, and suggested ways to make student research more useful to the community.
The second presentation by Hoang Van Luc, titled “Students and International Publications: Impossible or Just Not Tried?” discussed why many Vietnamese students in social sciences had few international publications. The reasons included language barriers, lack of research methods, and high publication standards. He proposed improving English skills, seeking support, developing research abilities, choosing suitable journals, and building academic networks.
After the main session, seven panel discussions took place in different areas of the university, focusing on topics such as AI and technology in language and social sciences, language education, digital sociology, cross-cultural media, and innovation in the humanities.
All roles – from presenters, moderators, secretaries to organizers – were taken on by students. ULIS FIRE Day 8.0 and the 2025 Students Forum ended successfully, showing the strong passion for research and innovation among ULIS students.
Hải Anh