Ho-Chi-Minh City

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Institute for Computational Science and Technology

• Ho-Chi-Minh City
• VIETNAM

Thanh N. Truong, Director
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Report to the President June 2005
Computational science is now indispensable to the
solution of complex problems in every sector,
from traditional science and engineering domains
to such key areas as national security, public
health, and economic innovation
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Preparation Steps
1/2006 Conference on the Capability for
Development of Computational Science in
Ho-Chi-Minh City.
6/2006 Proposal for creating the Institute for
Computational Science and Technology completed.
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Milestones
THIÊN TH?I Ð?A L?I NHÂN HÒA
1/2007 ICST was formally created 2/2008
Founding Executive Board were appointed 12/2008
Grand Opening
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Pasteurs Quadrant Research Model
Creation of knowledge basic, curiosity-driven
research
Application of knowledge
Basic Science
Engineering
Classic Research Model
Mission-oriented research model

Yes
Bohr
Pasteur
Focus on New Knowledge Creation?
No
Edison
No
Yes
Focus on Application?
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Unique Features

• Polytechnical Universities
• Universities of Natural Sciences
• National Labs
• Research Institutes

• Overseas Vietnamese professors
• International collaborations
• Vietnamese Education Foundation Fellows

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Research Activities
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Computational Life Science

• Focus
• Computer-Aided Drug Design
• MD Simulations of Biological systems
• Bioinformatics

• Current Projects
• Understanding drug resistant mechanism and
  virtual screening for H5N1 and A/H1N1
• Simulations of amyloid fibril formation in
  Alzheimer và Parkinson
• Software development

Personnel GS. TSKH. Mai Xuân Lý (Poland) GS.
Truong Nguy?n Thành (USA) GS. Phan Van Vinh Th?y
(USA) Mai Khánh Bình Nguy?n Ti?n Hùng Hoàng B?o
Nam Nguy?n Trúc Trang Nguy?n Thi Minh Thu Tr?n
Th? Di?m Trang
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Understand interaction between Tamiflu with H5N1
and A/H1N1
Thanh N. Truong, Hung T. Nguyen, and Ly Le
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Environmental Science
How simulations can help?
Pollution
Climate Change
TS Nguy?n Van Th?nh (Canada) Lê Th? Thu
Hi?n Nguy?n Th? H?ng Hà Nguy?n Thi Vui Tr?n Qu?c
Vi?t
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Molecular Science and Nano-materials
GS. Nguy?n Minh Th? (Belgium) GS. Truong Nguy?n
Thành (USA) Nguy?n Th? Huy?n Ph?m Qu?c B?u Nguy?n
Minh Tâm Tr?n Hà Giang Bùi Ðang Khoa
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Supported transition metal nano-clusters and its
use as catalysts in fuel cell applications.
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Material Science
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)
Graphene A new carbon-based nanomaterial
Structure-Property relationships for OLED
materials using semi-empirical quantum chemistry
methods.
Understanding electronic structure, stability,
physical properties, and activity of graphene
using ab initio quantum chemistry methods.
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Computational Engineering
Focus Applications of numerical modeling and
simulation methods to discover new scientific
knowledge relevant to engineering problems and to
enhance technological competitiveness.

• Current Research areas
• Multi-physics modeling, design and production
• of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) boats
• Fluid - structure interaction the motion of
  boats, hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces,
  structural behavior.
• Controlled Vacuum Infusion (CVI) molding
  simulating plastic flow, optimizing molding
  method.
• Production cost modeling estimating total cost,
  optimizing manufacturing processes.

Personnel GS. TS. Trân Công Thành
(Australia) GS Truong Nguy?n Thành (USA) H? Th?
Thu H?ng
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Cyberinfrastructure Research
GS Ph?m Van Vinh Th?y (USA) GS Truong Nguy?n
Thành H? B?o Linh Nguy?n Th? Ng?c Hân Tr?n th?
H?i Luu Ph?m th? Ng?c Lan Truong Th? Khánh
D?p Bùi Thanh L?ch
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Vietnam Education Crisis and Respond
Higher Education Task Force November 2008 Report
Thomas J. Vallely Ben Wilkinson Harvard Kenedy
School for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Innovation Index
Publications in Peer-review Journals in 2007
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Challenges
Inside Vietnam
Outside Vietnam

• Trust
• Lack of delegation of power in management
• Investment for RD in science and technology is
  still low
• Limited computing infrastructure to support
  research activities
• Extreme bureaucratic procedures with little
  understanding on the research process
• Passive-style education system with heavy
  emphasis on memorization and passing written
  exams
• Students are ill-prepared for research work

• Trust
• Lack of commitment
• Mentality of giving mercy
• Have limited time in Vietnam
• Lack of understanding on government procedures
  and policies

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Thank You