Meeting with the Director of IES, iGroup (Asia-Pacific)

The meeting was aimed at discussing the ways of supporting international publication at USSH. Prof. Dr Pham Quang Minh emphasized international publication is a great priority in USSH's strategy of internationalization and developing into a research-based university. The University has held many courses and presentations on this topic, most recently a series of courses under project "Enhancing Research and Innovation Capabilities in Vietnam" (ENHANCE) sponsored by European Union's Erasmus+. In addition, the University has actively improved the English proficiency of its staff and students through such courses as basic English, advanced English and academic writing, and the Lunch Box Club for English.

In response, Dr. Wong Woei Fuh introduced about IES. Part of iGroup, this company specializes in providing modern research solutions by combining training and technology to improve the reputation of research units, helping transform complicated ideas into projects that are socially relevant. In Vietnam, IES has collaborated with the National Agency for Science and Technology Information (NASATI) to launch the Research and International Publication Training Program R123, which trains researchers in how to develop efficient research strategies and increase the visibility of international publications. He also introduced some platforms such as Kudos that help promote and increase the citation of research papers through plain language descriptions.

Prof. Dr Pham Quang Minh appreciated the ideas put forth by Dr. Wong Woei Fuh and suggested the two sides co-hold courses to help the University's staff and lecturers with international research and publishing. Also, the Rector hoped IES would help improve the impact factor of USSH's Journal of Social sciences and Humanities to gradually make it recognized in the ISI/Scopus database.

The iGroup (Asia Pacific) Limited, is a Hong Kong registered multinational organisation with offices spanning 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region and with a total staff force of over 1000. Representing nearly 300 international publishing houses, 50 information and technology solutions agencies, iGroup is one of the largest providers of information solutions in the region, including e-databases, e-books, e-workbooks, and many other intellectual and information management services.