TDTU Students Win First Prize at the 2025 Science and Technology Award for University Students
The Science and Technology Award for University Students, organized annually by the Ministry of Education and Training, aims to encourage and honor student research projects with high scientific and practical value nationwide. The Award seeks to identify, foster, and develop students’ scientific research capacity while creating a dynamic academic environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and the application of research outcomes to real-life contexts, production, and society.
In 2025, the award received 628 outstanding research projects from 120 higher education institutions across the country, demonstrating the strong growth of student-led scientific research. Among these, two students—Nguyen Ho Ngoc Dan and Vo Quoc Duy, majoring in Chemical Engineering under the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU)—won the First Prize with their project entitled:
“Research on developing an injectable hydrogel system capable of controlled release of antibiotics and angiogenic drugs, for the treatment of dental pulpitis and the support of tissue regeneration.”
The project received high praise from the expert council for its strong practical applicability and integration of modern technology. The research focuses on developing an injectable hydrogel system capable of controlled release of antibiotics and angiogenic agents to treat dental pulpitis and support tissue regeneration.
One notable feature is that the hydrogel can be easily administered using a small needle and can fill defects with complex geometries. It has been demonstrated to be non-cytotoxic and biodegradable. Additionally, the hydrogel exhibits strong antibacterial activity and the ability to promote vascular cell proliferation.
Previously, the research team working on injectable hydrogel systems had also achieved notable accomplishments, including the Second Prize at the TDTU Scientific Research Competition (2023–2024) and a Consolation Prize at the Euréka Student Scientific Research Award 2024 in the Medical–Pharmaceutical Sciences category. These achievements reflect the team’s dedication, persistence, and clear academic growth throughout their research journey.
Student Nguyen Ho Ngoc Dan, representing the research team, shared:
"This achievement will truly remain an unforgettable memory for both me and my partner. It would not have been possible without the dedicated guidance of our supervising lecturer and the tremendous support from our teachers, seniors, friends, and families. We are sincerely grateful. Looking ahead, we genuinely hope that our project can be applied in practice to contribute, even in a small way, to improving dental health for the Vietnamese community in particular and the world in general."
The First Prize achievement recognizes the students’ hard work, self-learning, creativity, and aspiration to conquer scientific and technological challenges. It also reflects the University’s commitment to building an open, practice-oriented research environment that integrates learning, hands-on application, and scientific inquiry - continuously inspiring future generations of students to pursue their passion for research and innovation for the benefit of the community.
