Vietnam Lags in Global Computer Science Rankings Despite Regional Strength

While Singapore boasts two universities in the global top 10 for computer science, with Asian nations dominating the rankings, Vietnam has yet to make a significant mark on the international stage in this field. This underscores the need for Vietnam to enhance its higher education, particularly in science and technology, to compete globally. The 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities Subject Rankings for computer science saw Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) retain its fourth position, while the National University of Singapore (NUS) ranked sixth. Both institutions have established themselves among the world's elite, evaluated based on publishing at least 250 computer science research papers between 2020 and 2024. Singapore, ranked the world's second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025, also had Singapore Management University (93rd) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (133rd) included in the rankings. Asian institutions secured eight spots in the top 10, led by China's Tsinghua University. Vietnam has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent years, attracting international attention particularly in manufacturing and IT sectors. However, cultivating high-caliber talent to support this growth, especially in advanced fields like computer science, and improving the international standing of its educational and research systems remain crucial future challenges. Under its one-party system, educational policy decisions are centrally led by the government, necessitating curriculum reforms aligned with international standards and increased research investment. Furthermore, in its relationship with China, while economic ties are strong, enhancing domestic technological capabilities is also a matter of national security in the context of technological development competition. Source: VnExpress International