Lecturers, researchers and administrators share ideas on funding, career development and partnerships under the Erasmus+ RESET project

LAO PDR – MID-SEPTEMBER 2026

In mid-September 2026, the five Lao higher education institutions in the Erasmus+ project RESET – Redefining Research Management Structures and Research Career Development to Accelerate Green Growth in Lao PDR – held focus group discussions (FGDs) on the opportunities and challenges of research development. The sessions took place at Champasack University (CU), the National University of Laos (NUOL), Souphanouvong University (SU), Savannakhet University (SKU) and the University of Health Sciences (UHS).

Why focus groups?

Earlier in the project, a survey of 188 staff across the five universities provided a broad picture of the situation. The focus groups go one step further: they help validate the survey findings, explore the reasons behind the challenges, and gather practical recommendations from the people who work in research every day.

Who took part?

Each university invited a small group of university administrators, researchers, lecturers, and academic and technical staff. Using a shared discussion guide, participants gave their views on research funding and application procedures, research policies and monitoring, skills development, incentives, collaboration with government, industry, communities and international partners, and the future of research careers in Laos.

Focus group and benchmarking methodology presented at the University of Health Sciences.

Discussion at Souphanouvong University.

What are we hearing?

Early results from Savannakhet University point to three priorities:

• Sustainable and accessible research funding, including simpler application procedures and seed grants for early-career researchers.
• Researcher career development, through training, mentoring, incentives and protected research time.
• Stronger research networks that connect universities, industry, communities and international partners, and turn research results into real-world use.

Participants also stressed that research should serve local communities and support the national green growth agenda.

Discussion at National University of Lao

What happens next?

Findings from all five universities will be combined with the survey results in the project's benchmarking work. They will guide the training programmes and recommendations that RESET will develop to strengthen research management and researcher careers in Lao higher education.

RESET is coordinated by Champasack University and brings together CU, NUOL, SU, SKU, UHS, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the University of Alicante (Spain), the University of Freiburg (Germany) and CESIE (Italy).

Call to action: Learn more at https://www.resetlaopdr.eu and follow RESET on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.