Professor Hala Zreiqat and her journey to strengthen research collaboration in Vietnam
In 2025, Professor Hala Zreiqat – a globally renowned expert in Biomedical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney (Australia) – made two successive visits to Vietnam, accompanied by the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI). These engagements marked an important milestone in advancing strategic research partnerships between the University of Sydney and leading Vietnamese institutions.
Professor Hala Zreiqat - Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering at the University of Sydney. A trailblazer in biomaterials and tissue engineering, she has led pioneering collaborations between academia, clinicians, and industry across Australia. Her groundbreaking work on engineered synthetic materials and 3D-printed platforms for regenerative medicine has earned multiple patents, over $18 million in research funding, and numerous prestigious national and international awards.
During her first visit to Vietnam in July, Professor Hala and the SVI team met with major research institutes and hospitals to explore opportunities for collaboration in bioceramics – an innovative material technology capable of replacing bone, promoting tissue regeneration, and opening new frontiers in musculoskeletal treatment. Distinguished by its exceptional strength, superior biocompatibility, and intelligent nano-architecture, this material holds significant promise for the development of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in Vietnam.
In September, Professor Hala returned for her second visit, continuing discussions with a range of academic and medical partners in Ho Chi Minh City. These meetings identified new directions for collaboration in research, training, and clinical translation, while reinforcing the growing partnership between the University of Sydney and its Vietnamese counterparts. The dialogues also laid the foundation for joint research programs, scientific workshops, and closer integration between clinicians and scientists, fostering a shared commitment to innovation in biomedical science.
Importantly, Vietnamese universities expressed strong interest in connecting with the Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney, to explore PhD scholarship opportunities in Biomedical Engineering — a field in which Professor Hala leads internationally acclaimed research groups. This represents a meaningful pathway for emerging Vietnamese researchers seeking to advance their academic careers and contribute to cutting-edge discoveries in biomaterials and regenerative medicine.
Last but not least, Professor Hala’s two visits not only expanded avenues for future collaboration but also underscored SVI’s vital role as a strategic academic bridge linking the University of Sydney with Vietnam’s top institutions in research, education, and healthcare, driving scientific innovation and technological advancement for the benefit of society.