University students’ engagement in scientific research activities across Da Nang is increasingly developing with many practical projects that are highly applicable in real life. Scientific research activities help students access new knowledge and  practice creative thinking skills, independent research ability and teamwork.

By participating in scientific research, university students learn many skills and become more mature after each project. Students from the University of Technology and Education under the University of Da Nang are seen introducing their group project. Photo: THU HA

Many topics highly appreciated for their feasibility

At the Da Nang University Student Scientific Research Award for the 2023 - 2024 academic year, many entries by student groups won high prizes and many of them were praised for feasibility and can be further researched and developed for appropriate application.

Notable among them was the topic ‘Research on multi-location leak diagnosis algorithm in water pipes and adjusting output pressure via 4G network’ by a group of students Doan Van Anh, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Nguyen Tan Quy, Pham Thanh Vy, Duong Thi Thanh Ha from the University of Technology and Education, a member school of the University of Da Nang - UD,  led by Dr. Pham Thanh Phong, the instructor.

This entry won the first prize in the field of natural science and technology, and medical and pharmaceutical sciences.

With this topic, the student group proposed a solution to build a water leak diagnosis system using 4G technology to overcome the disadvantages of detecting water leaks through observation with the naked eye, or using an ultrasonic detector to assess the leak location (small detection range, requiring a lot of time).

The research team came up with an algorithm to diagnose the leak location in the pipeline to reduce the amount of liquid lost to the environment, by using flow and pressure sensors mounted at both ends of the branch line, thereby accurately determining the leak location.

According to student Duong Thi Thanh Ha, the head of the research team, the topic aims to solve practical problems, so the group made the system's hardware meeting industrial standards and luckily, the team received great deal of support from the school to develop knowledge and skills.

Similarly, the topic ‘Exploring the impact of gratifications (hedonic, utilitarian, symbolic and social benefits) on the behavioral intention of voice assistants’ users’ - a cross-cultural study by a group of students Le Kha Tuyet Phuong, Tran Kim Bao Phuc, Phan Thu Ngan, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngoc from the Da Nang University of Economics under the UD, guided by Dr. Pham Thi Be Loan, won the first prize in the field of social sciences and humanities.

The research group's topic explores the impact of benefits that promote intentions to use voice assistants. In particular, the development of voice assistants is strongly applied in training services, health care and information guidance.

The findings from the study not only provide information for developers and technology companies but also serve as reference materials for researchers on user behaviour, helping to develop voice assistant products and services that are suitable for the needs and desires of users in different cultures.

The 2024 Da Nang University Student Scientific Research Award featured 25 topics participating in the final round in two groups of fields including natural science and technology, medical science - pharmacy (14 topics) and social sciences and humanities (11 topics).

According to the evaluation of the award council members, this year’s competition topics were of high quality; the products and research results were feasible and could be further developed for appropriate and effective application. This year, the UD selected and awarded the 11 best prizes to the outstanding groups of topics.

Fostering in-depth scientific research skills

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh, the Vice Rector of the Da Nang University of Economics, scientific research activities, technology transfer, and international cooperation have always been of interest and promoted by the this university.

The number of students participating in scientific research at the school has increased in recent years. In the 2023 - 2024 academic year alone, the university’s scientific research, entrepreneurship and innovation students achieved many high achievements at national and international competitions.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh, in addition to perfecting their specialised knowledge, participating in scientific research brings many benefits to students. They will become more mature after each project and research topic, and they will improve their teamwork skills, personal skills, information processing, evaluation and synthesis and report presentation skills.

In particular, students are encouraged to develop new and creative ideas to apply specialised knowledge to solve problems and challenges in business practice, such as business start-ups, financial management, branding and human resource management.

The university focuses on investing the best resources to improve students’ scientific research capacity. In particular, short-term courses are regularly organised to enhance students’ research capacity and research methods. Also, many students have published scientific papers in prestigious domestic journals; equipped with modern research rooms, updated scientific database systems of Stoxplus, World Bank and plagiarism checking software Turnitin...

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Trung Hung, the Vice Principal of the University of Technology and Education said that student scientific research activities are a useful and practical playground that contributes to improving students’ academic qualifications.

In addition to training, this educational establishment always provides maximum support for students in scientific research and innovation and startup activities. In the 2023 - 2024 school year, the school’s students developed 86 scientific research topics, an increase of 36.5% compared to the previous academic year, and the quality of the topics was also improved in a practical direction, meeting practical needs.

In the coming time, the university will increase scientific research activities to create products that can lead to startups, coordinate with startup support organisations to promptly support students and lecturers in the process of research, startup and innovation.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU