On September 16, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, President of the University of Danang (UD), has chaired a meeting to welcome Mr. Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Vietnam, for a visit and working session with UD.

Representatives from the leadership of UD's Office of Administrative Affairs and relevant departments (Training and Educational Quality Assurance, Science and International Cooperation, and Student Affairs) were in attendance.

Overview of the reception and working session.

Speaking at the reception, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu - President of the UD respectfully welcomed and honored to welcome Mr. Mohammad. Lutfor Rahman - Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Vietnam.

The President of the UD introduced an overview and highlights of UD as a key regional multi-disciplinary institution with six member universities (University of Science and Technology, University of Economics, University of Science and Education, University of Foreign Language Studies, University of Technology and Education, and Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology) and recently, a new School of Medicine and Pharmacy has been established, along with various institutes, faculties, branches, and centres, employing approximately 2,600 staff and lecturers and serving over 60,000 students and learners.

The President of the University of Danang shared that after 30 years of building and developing UD and nearly 50 years of tradition from its member schools, the University has trained the majority of scientific-technical personnel, economic managers, educators, specialists, and entrepreneurs for the Central and Central Highlands regions as well as the whole country. Alumni of the University of Danang have held many key positions in agencies, organizations, businesses, and schools, making significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the region and the nation.

Vietnam considers high-quality human resource training as one of the three breakthroughs in its strategy to promote industrialisation and modernisation. With its position and scale as one of the major universities in the country, offering 136 undergraduate programs, 48 master's programs, and 32 doctoral programs, the University of Danang has received special attention and priority from the government. The government has invested in the university through an ODA loan project from the World Bank to build technical infrastructure at the University Urban Area (Hoa Quy-Dien Ngoc), striving to become one of the top three centres for training, scientific research, and technology transfer in the country.

The University of Danang always considers training quality and scientific research as the guiding principles, and international cooperation as a key pillar. Accordingly, it expands partnerships with prestigious universities around the world, especially in Europe, North America, and Asia.

The President of the University of Danang wishes and hopes that, through the Ambassador's role, he will support and help the University of Danang establish connections and cooperation with universities in Bangladesh, focusing on several key areas such as:

(1) Promoting faculty and student exchange programs, especially short-term exchanges for students to intern and gain experience at foreign universities as well as at the University of Danang (UD);

(2) Collaborating in research based on the strengths and shared interests of both sides, allowing universities, institutions, and scientists to cooperate and participate in governmental projects of both countries as well as jointly propose new projects;

(3) Coordinating in organizing events, forums, and seminars to contribute to the development and refinement of policies for the economic and social advancement of localities, businesses, and each nation.

In his conversation with the President of UD, Ambassador Mohammad Lutfor Rahman of Bangladesh in Vietnam expressed his deep gratitude for the warm reception and his pleasure in visiting and working with UD. 

He highly appreciated UD's prestige and role within Vietnam's higher education system, as well as internationally. He also introduced the leadership of UD to the characteristics of Bangladesh’s higher education, which includes 55 public and private institutions that meet the country's educational and research demands, serving a population of 170 million. 

Sharing some challenges in student enrollment and training a high-quality workforce, especially the lack of extensive cooperation with foreign universities, including those in Vietnam, the Ambassador expressed his hope that through this visit, UD would provide and share relevant information that the embassy could convey to relevant authorities and universities in Bangladesh. 

The Ambassador acknowledged and highly valued the opinions of UD's leadership, further proposing that both sides share a mutual need and potential for cooperation, particularly in fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductor chips, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. He expressed his hope that both sides would soon work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focusing on these key areas.

In an atmosphere of mutual understanding and openness, both parties shared common concerns and recognized the great potential for future collaboration. This includes the goal of attracting international students to UD as well as sending UD students for internships and experiential learning abroad, enhancing international integration. This is a two-way process aligned with the trends and needs for improving education and career development for the people and communities of both countries. 

The President of UD assigned the Department of Science and International Cooperation to initiate and formalize the directions from the leadership, coordinating with relevant agencies and institutions in Bangladesh to explore opportunities, strengthen mutual understanding, and promote future cooperation.