To enhance research project management skills according to international standards, core personnel from the Talaromycosis Medical Research Center (TMRC) and representatives from Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine (PNTU) attended the EQUIPSEA Intensive Training Program from February 3 to February 6, 2026. This event marks a significant step forward in building a sustainable research management network within Southeast Asia and specifically at TMRC.
The EQUIPSEA program (The Equitable Research Partnership: Initiative in Providing International Research Management Skill Sets in SouthEast Asia) was hosted at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU). Attended by approximately 80 delegates from medical and academic institutions across Southeast Asia, the program focused on equipping professionals with global research management competencies. Representing PNTU and TMRC were: Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Minh – Vice Head of the Research Management & International Cooperation Department, Ms. Phan Thi Ha My – TMRC Laboratory Team Member, Mr. Pham Thanh Trung – TMRC Administration Lead.
(Figure 1. Keynote speaker Assoc. Prof. Ngo Thi Hoa sharing professional insights at the event)
A Comprehensive Curriculum Led by Global Experts
Throughout four days of dynamic discussion, participants were guided by a prestigious faculty from world-renowned universities. Assoc. Prof. Ngo Thi Hoa (Zoonoses Group Lead at OUCRU and Head of the Microbiology-Parasitology Unit at PNTU’s Biomedical Research Center) chaired the opening ceremony and coordinated strategic discussions, laying the collaborative foundation for the conference.
(Figure 2. Active group discussion session during the conference)
The structured training featured direct contributions from:
- Ms. Mary Ryan (University of Glasgow, Scotland): Led sessions on research proposal development, horizon scanning, budget management, and establishing interdisciplinary partnerships.
- Experts from the University of Oxford (UK) and Consulting Units: Dr. Genevieve Kiff, Ms. Duyen Nguyen (Nuffield Department of Medicine), and Mr. Paul Miki Carvalho (Good Financial Grant Practice – GFGP Consultant). This group provided training on financial capacity governance, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), financial reporting, and budget forecasting.
- Ms. Laura Scifo (University of Oxford): An expert in research contracts and intellectual property, assisting units in navigating the legal frameworks of international collaboration.
- The OUCRU Coordination Team: Dr. Nguyen Trung Thanh and Mr. Nguyen Xuan Truong, who played vital roles in operational management, surveys, and technical support throughout the event.
From Theory to Intensive Practice
The EQUIPSEA curriculum covered the entire lifecycle of an international research project. The first day focused on proposal writing and budgeting skills. The second day delved into financial governance and internal policy development—core elements that help projects like TMRC maintain transparency with international funders (such as the NIAID).
(Figure 3. Mr. Pham Thanh Trung actively contributing his perspective during the session)
The subsequent days emphasized communication skills for multidisciplinary collaboration, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and the complexities of contract management. Notably, the sessions on “Leadership in Research Management” and “Bringing Learnings Home” provided the TMRC delegation with fresh methodologies to apply professional management workflows to their local context.
TMRC’s Strategic Vision
Participation in EQUIPSEA not only familiarizes TMRC personnel with international management protocols but also solidifies the Center’s position within the Southeast Asian medical research network. The knowledge gained in financial management, intellectual property, and sustainable partnership-building will serve as the cornerstone for TMRC to successfully implement breakthrough research on Talaromyces marneffei, ranging from clinical trials to rapid point-of-care diagnostics.
(Figure 4. National and international experts alongside EQUIPSEA conference participants)
Meticulous preparation in both medical expertise and administrative capacity is the “key” for TMRC and Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine to continue their mission of improving public health and reducing the disease burden in Vietnam. For more information about EQUIPSEA, please visit: https://www.oucru.org/equipsea-event/