On October 21, 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu - President of The University of Danang (UD)  held a working session with Honorary Professor Erich Lejeune, President of the "Heart for Heart Foundation" (Federal Republic of Germany), Honorary Doctor Irene Lejeune, Co-founder of the Foundation, and their delegation.

Also attending the meeting were representatives from UD's Office and functional departments (Organization and Personnel; Planning and Finance; Science and International Cooperation; Student Affairs, Corporate Relations, and Communications); Dr. Le Viet Nho-Rector, and Dr. Phan The Phuoc Long - Dean of the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology & Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of School of Medicine and Pharmacy, UD.

Overview the working session

At the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu expressed his delight in welcoming and re-engaging with Hon. Prof. Erich Lejeune, Hon. Dr. Irene Lejeune, and the delegation during their working visit to UD and its School of Medicine and Pharmacy.

The UD President highly praised and expressed deep appreciation for the dedication, compassion, and valuable support provided by Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune to patients especially those from underprivileged backgrounds giving them strength and encouragement during their care and treatment at Da Nang Hospital.

UD President Nguyen Ngoc Vu
and Hon. Prof. Erich Lejeune

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu shared his emotional experience attending the 20th Anniversary Ceremony of the partnership between the "Heart for Heart Foundation" and Da Nang Hospital. He noted that the occasion highlighted the profound value and meaningful impact of the contributions made by the Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune to patients and the local community over the years, showcasing a strong and enduring bond with both the city of Da Nang and UD.

UD President, authorized by the city leaders,
presents the Certificate of Merit from the
Da Nang People's Committee
to Hon. Dr. Irene Lejeune.

On this special occasion, the UD President extended his warmest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune on Mr. Lejeune’s 80th birthday and their 25th wedding anniversary. He expressed profound gratitude for their outstanding contributions to UD in general and UD-SMP in particular. These efforts have not only enhanced the quality of education at the university but have also brought practical opportunities to UD’s faculty, students, and the broader community.

UD President awards a Certificate of Merit to
Hon. Dr. Irene Lejeune in recognition of her outstanding
contributions to international cooperation,
enhancing medical education capacity,
and supporting the development of UD

Speaking at the session, Hon. Prof. Erich Lejeune expressed his delight in visiting and working with UD alongside Hon. Dr. Irene Lejeune during their trip to Da Nang as part of a series of meaningful community service activities.

The President of the "Heart for Heart Foundation" shared heartfelt thoughts on the long-standing, trust-based relationship between the two parties as they walk together in their shared mission of training and developing human resources at UD.

Delegates take a commemorative group photo

Throughout this meaningful journey, Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune were conferred the titles of Honorary Professor and Honorary Doctor by UD in recognition of their contributions alongside the "Heart for Heart" Program. Hon. Prof. Erich Lejeune emphasized that this is a great honor for them; wherever they go, including in the media, they take pride in serving as ambassadors for UD. He warmly shared that Vietnam feels like a second home to them, and UD has become a deeply meaningful part of their lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune with
the leadership of UD-SMP

In a warm and cordial atmosphere, the UD President expressed his hope that Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune would continue to support the city of Da Nang in general, as well as UD and UD-SMP in particular. This ongoing partnership will provide faculty and students with further opportunities to enhance their professional competencies, ultimately improving patient care and service to the community.

An interactive and inspiring exchange session
with students of UD-SMP

Furthermore, UD leadership expressed their desire to leverage Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune’s prestige and extensive network to foster meaningful international cooperation programs with European universities, as well as to connect international scientists and experts to visit, teach, and conduct research at UD.

The invaluable support from Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune
to the faculty and students of UD-SMP
contributes significantly to the training of
healthcare professionals for the community

On this occasion, Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune visited UD-SMP, where they officially handed over a sponsorship package to implement the Heart and Lung Sounds Simulation Training Project. They also provided guidance on optimizing the use of equipment for clinical practice training and scientific research, while spending time inspiring students during an interactive session at the "Lejeune Room."

UD Media