1. Overview of the Faculty's scientific research activities.

The Faculty of Information Technology – Hanoi University of Civil Engineering is one of the University's important training and research units, playing a key role in developing information technology human resources to serve various sectors of society, including the University's strengths such as construction, transportation, urban infrastructure, and digital transformation. Besides its training mission, scientific research is always identified as one of the Faculty's strategic pillars to improve the quality of education, contribute to the development of science and technology, and serve the practical needs of society.

Currently, the Faculty of Information Technology has a training scale of approximately 2,800 students , with an annual enrollment target of around 700 students for 6 majors/specializations including: Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Security, Data Science, Multimedia Technology, and Construction Informatics. The large training scale creates an urgent need to strengthen scientific research activities linked to training, helping students gain early access to modern research directions and new technologies.

The Faculty's teaching staff currently comprises 68 full-time lecturers , including associate professors, doctors, and masters in various professional fields, who actively participate in scientific research activities.

The Faculty's scientific research activities in recent years have mainly focused on the following areas:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Data analysis and data science
• Information security and system security
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Embedded Systems
• Simulation and informatics in construction
• Mathematics and its applications in engineering.

These studies are conducted through university-level and ministerial-level projects, Nafosted projects, domestic and international scientific publications, as well as collaborative projects with businesses and research institutes.

However, the Faculty's scientific research activities still have some limitations. Current research groups are fragmented, lacking strong, interdisciplinary, and product-oriented research teams. Many faculty members participate in research groups at other universities or businesses, while internal collaboration between departments within the Faculty still needs strengthening. Furthermore, due to high teaching pressure (faculty/student ratio of approximately 1/51 ), many faculty members do not have the opportunity to dedicate sufficient time to in-depth research.

Against this backdrop, the Faculty of Information Technology has developed a Capacity Building Project for the period 2025–2030 , which identifies the development of strong research groups, the establishment of interdisciplinary laboratories, and research orientation aligned with practical needs as key tasks.

2. Development orientation for research groups and IA Labs

To enhance its scientific research capabilities, the Faculty of Information Technology is planning to establish an interdisciplinary laboratory (Lab IA – Intelligent Applications Lab) to serve the Faculty's cutting-edge research areas. Lab IA is designed as a technology research and development center, connecting faculty, students, researchers, and businesses.

The laboratory is equipped with high-performance workstations, AI servers for training deep learning models, IoT devices, virtual reality (VR/XR) equipment, and a secure information security testing environment. This will be a crucial foundation for deploying research projects and applying new technologies.

The main research areas of Lab IA include:

1. Artificial intelligence and big data

This is the Faculty's key research direction for the coming period, focusing on areas such as machine learning, deep learning, big data mining, and applied artificial intelligence. The research aims to build predictive models and analyze data for fields such as smart buildings, smart cities, transportation, and infrastructure management.

Faculty members from the Computer Science and Software Engineering departments, along with many young faculty members, will participate in developing this research group.

2. Information security and digital forensics

This research direction focuses on system security issues, malware analysis, vulnerability detection, and digital forensics. The information security testing environment in the lab allows for the simulation of attack and defense scenarios for training and research purposes.

Research activities will be linked to information security competitions, collaborative projects with businesses, and in-depth training programs in the field of security.

3. Internet of Things and Intelligent Systems

Internet v Internet of Things (IoT) is a research area with great potential in the field of construction and urban infrastructure. Research will focus on developing intelligent sensor systems, collecting data from construction sites, monitoring construction, and integrating data into real-time analytics systems.

Faculty members from the Computer Engineering and Systems – Computer Networks departments will play a core role in this research direction.

4. Mathematics and Computational Modeling in Engineering

Mathematics is a crucial foundation for many of the Faculty's research areas. This research group focuses on areas such as real and complex geometric analysis, differential geometry, Nevanlinna value distribution theory, and mathematical models applied in engineering and data science.

5. Blockchain in the construction supply chain

One of the Faculty's new research directions is the application of blockchain technology in construction supply chain management. Research focuses on building a system for tracing the origin of materials and transparently managing construction and maintenance phases.

This research direction has great potential in connecting with construction companies and developing intelligent project management systems.

6. Digital transformation in construction and transportation

This is an interdisciplinary research direction, combining information technology and the construction and transportation fields. The research focuses on digitizing construction data, simulating construction projects using virtual reality technology, analyzing construction site data, and supporting decision-making in project management.

3. Research linkages and business collaborations

To enhance the effectiveness of scientific research, the Faculty of Information Technology focuses on developing collaborative activities with businesses and research organizations. In the coming period, the Faculty aims to strengthen cooperation with major technology companies such as Viettel, VNPT, FPT, CMC, Bkav, as well as companies operating in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, and information security.

Collaborative activities include:

• Coordinate the implementation of applied research projects.
• Organizing scientific conferences and technology seminars
• Support students in internships and participation in real-world projects.
• Co-supervisor for doctoral and master's students.

Through these activities, the Faculty not only improves the quality of scientific research but also strengthens its ability to transfer technology and apply research results to practice.

4. The role of students in research activities

Students are a vital component of the Faculty's research ecosystem. In the coming years, the Faculty will strongly promote student scientific research activities through research groups, academic clubs, and technology competition teams.

Specialized teams in fields such as AI, IoT, and Information Security will be formed to provide students with access to real-world problems and participation in major competitions such as:

• Student Olympiad in Informatics and AI
• Vietnam Cybersecurity Competition
• AI Hackathon and Data Challenge competitions

These activities not only help students enhance their professional skills but also contribute to promoting the image and brand of the Faculty of Information Technology within the academic and industrial communities.

5. Conclusion

In the context of the ongoing global digital transformation, developing scientific research capabilities is a key factor in improving the quality of training and the academic standing of the Faculty of Information Technology – Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. With a team of highly qualified lecturers, a clear research orientation, and a plan to build an interdisciplinary laboratory (Lab IA), the Faculty is gradually forming strong research groups, aiming for international scientific publications and applied research projects with practical value.

During the period 2025–2030, the Faculty aims to develop cutting-edge research directions aligned with the needs of the construction industry and national digital transformation, while strengthening cooperation with businesses and research organizations. These efforts will contribute to building the Faculty of Information Technology into a reputable center for information technology training and research in the engineering and construction sectors in Vietnam.