This paper examines the influence of emotional intelligence on teamwork effectiveness among university students in Vietnam, focusing on how individual goals and forms of grouping mediate this connection. Data were collected through a mixed-method approach, combining detailed interviews with a broad survey at multiple economic-focused universities in Hanoi. The study analyzed 372 completed student questionnaires to assess both the direct and indirect relationships between emotional intelligence and teamwork outcomes. To validate the research tools and hypotheses, the data were subjected to rigorous quantitative methods such as Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM), utilizing SPSS and AMOS software. The results demonstrate that emotional intelligence significantly impacts teamwork performance directly, while also showing that positive individual goals and self-managed team structures play a crucial mediating role. Based on these findings, practical recommendations are provided for students, academic staff, and university administrators to foster better teamwork among students.
