RMIT invests in research future with 65 PhD scholarships

The milestone was celebrated this week at the University’s inaugural annual PhD Scholarship ceremony, bringing together scholars, supervisors and families from across RMIT Vietnam’s campuses. The new cohort spans 18 doctoral programs across the University’s three schools, with 29 new candidates based in The Business School, 28 in the School of Science, Engineering & Technology, and eight in the School of Communication & Design. Together, the scholarships reflect a breadth of inquiry across business, technology, sustainability, social innovation and the creative industries. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Pro Vice-Chancellor and General Director of RMIT Vietnam, described the occasion as an institutional milestone.

“This year, we have made our strongest investment yet in not only your future as researchers, innovators and thought leaders but also in the future of Vietnam,” he said.

“By investing in scholarships in Vietnam, we are building high-impact research, innovation, home-grown solutions and leaders for industry, government, academia and society who understand Vietnam and connect it globally.”

The scholarships are conceived not merely as financial awards, but as a strategic investment aligned with Vietnam’s national development ambitions. Having been part of the country’s story for more than two and a half decades, RMIT has witnessed Vietnam’s remarkable economic growth. The next phase demands research-driven policy, evidence-based business, tech breakthroughs, and creative sustainability.

Professor Thompson-Whiteside emphasised this alignment in his address to the new cohort.

“The country’s ambitious agenda for growth, innovation and digital transformation demands ideas, evidence and experts to turn challenges into opportunities. That’s where you come in,” he said.

“Our scholarships enable talented researchers to pursue rigorous inquiry, collaborate with world-class supervisors, and build lasting networks. Your success becomes Vietnam’s.”

RMIT Vietnam’s doctoral scholarship program has grown substantially, increasing from 41 scholarships in 2024 to 65 in 2025. Achieving full allocation for the first time reflects both the program’s growing reputation and rising demand from high-calibre candidates nationwide.

The University has also strengthened opportunities for doctoral candidates to engage with industry through embedded PhD partnerships, where research projects are co-developed with industry partners, and through an internship scheme that enables three-to-six-month placements in leading organisations.

The calibre of scholars emerging from RMIT Vietnam’s doctoral community is already attracting international attention. RMIT Vietnam has celebrated candidates selected as Fulbright scholars to further their research in the US, joining in panel discussions with senior industry and government partners, and discussing their research with the likes of the Australian Governor General and Australian Minister for Education.

Looking ahead, RMIT Vietnam has confirmed that another 65 PhD scholarships are available for 2026, with six already awarded. The University will continue to prioritise research areas of strategic importance to Vietnam and Asia-Pacific region, while deepening connections with industry, government and civil society to ensure that doctoral research translates into tangible impact.

A strong PhD program signals commitment to a nation’s future. Through this record investment in doctoral education, RMIT Vietnam is strengthening the intellectual infrastructure that Vietnam will need to navigate the decades ahead – one scholar, one discovery, one breakthrough at a time.

Story: Ha Hoang