In just a few days, Mr. Pham Tien Minh, a doctoral candidate from the first cohort (2021) of the Joint PhD Program between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the University of Lincoln (United Kingdom), will travel to the UK for his in-person dissertation defense. Looking back on nearly five years of study and research, from experiencing manuscript rejections to confidently publishing in leading international journals, his story stands as a vivid testament to perseverance, self-motivation, and determination on the academic journey.

PhD candidate Pham Tien Minh on the University of Lincoln campus during his 10-week study and research residency

Choosing an International Environment While Staying in Vietnam

As Deputy Director of the Technology Business Incubator Center at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), and a lecturer in Finance and Economics, Mr. Pham Tien Minh had long aspired to pursue a doctoral degree in an international academic environment. However, the prospect of spending years away from his family made a full-time overseas PhD program difficult to pursue.

In 2021, he decided to enroll in the University of Lincoln Joint PhD Program. According to him, it was a rare opportunity to access international academic standards while maintaining both his professional career and personal life in Vietnam. “The greatest strength of the program is that it provides a truly international experience. We can study in Vietnam, stay close to our families, and still benefit from the academic environments of two leading universities,” he shared.

One of the most valuable experiences for him was being supervised by two professors from different academic traditions: Prof. Vo Xuan Vinh (Dean of The Institute of Business Research – IBR) and Prof. Marian Rizov (University of Lincoln). While his British supervisor provided a strong methodological foundation aligned with international standards, his Vietnamese supervisor helped him gain deeper insights into the context of a developing economy. This combination not only strengthened his research capabilities but also changed his perception of the international publication potential of studies based on Vietnamese data. From initial skepticism, he gradually became confident in bringing practical issues from Vietnam to discussions in global academic forums.

Manuscript Submissions and Rejections

Although he had previously participated in a Pre-PhD program, his journey toward international publication remained challenging. One of his most memorable experiences was publishing his first international journal article during the doctoral program. After more than a year of continuous submissions and rejections, his manuscript was finally accepted for in-depth peer review by a journal ranked three stars in the United Kingdom’s ABS Academic Journal Guide.

The excitement quickly gave way to pressure when he received pages of reviewer comments requiring substantial revisions to the theoretical framework and additional analyses. “I was overwhelmed and so stressed that I could hardly do anything for an entire week,” he recalled. With encouragement from his supervisors, he gradually returned to the manuscript and addressed each comment one by one. After nearly another year of revisions through multiple rounds of peer review, the paper was finally accepted for publication. This experience completely transformed his research mindset. From initially aiming to publish in Q3 and Q4 journals, he gradually set his sights on more demanding Q1 and Q2 journals with higher academic standards.

Looking back on the rejections he experienced, he believes they were valuable opportunities to improve his work. Recalling a paper that had been rejected more than ten times, he shared: “Now I see things differently. Submitting a paper is not about expecting immediate acceptance; it is about understanding where your research stands. Reviewer comments help me identify the gaps I need to overcome and gradually elevate the quality of my research.”

PhD candidate Pham Tien Minh at the Development Economics Conference 2024 (DEC 2024) held at the University of Lincoln in June 2024

10 Weeks in the United Kingdom and the Final Step Toward Dissertation Defense

In the summer of 2024, Mr. Minh spent 10 weeks studying and conducting research at the University of Lincoln, a mandatory requirement of the program. This period also brought significant changes to his academic thinking.

During his residency, he presented his research at the Development Economics Conference 2024 (DEC 2024), organized by the University of Lincoln, and had opportunities to engage with scholars from the United States, Australia, and various European countries. These diverse perspectives helped broaden his research horizons and encouraged him to explore issues beyond the domestic context. In addition to working in the department’s research laboratory, he attended numerous seminars and specialized training courses. The most memorable was an intensive academic writing course that lasted nearly three weeks. The course helped him systematically develop skills in constructing arguments, organizing ideas, and producing academic writing that meets international standards.

Throughout nearly five years of doctoral study, he had to balance administrative responsibilities, teaching, research, and family commitments. Supporting him throughout this demanding journey was the dedicated team of specialists from the Institute of Business Research (IBR). Expressing his appreciation for their support, Mr. Minh shared: “Urgent documents, such as visa support letters, were always processed promptly. Beyond administrative assistance, the staff were consistently available to answer questions and provide support whenever issues arose during my studies and research.” IBR has also provided a strong launching pad through practical policies designed to encourage and support high-quality scientific publications.

Now, as the day of his dissertation defense in the United Kingdom approaches, Mr. Minh carries both excitement and anticipation as he prepares to complete a significant chapter of his academic journey. For those pursuing their own research aspirations, he emphasized three essential qualities: effort, perseverance, and self-belief. He stated: “There is no easy path in academia. Rejections are inevitable. What matters is not giving up. If you do not believe in yourself, who else will?”

Pham Tien Minh’s story is a powerful reminder that internationally recognized academic aspirations can begin right here in Vietnam. With its international-standard research environment, experienced supervisors, and global academic network, the University of Lincoln Joint PhD Program continues to create opportunities for future researchers ready to push beyond their limits. The next academic success story could be yours. 

For more information about the University of Lincoln – UEH Joint PhD Program: https://ibr.ueh.edu.vn/english/academic-programs/

For more information about the University of Lincoln (United Kingdom): https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/

Article by : Nhu Y – Institute of Business Research