On 6 February 2026, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), hosted and held a working session with a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD), led by Mr. Julien Seillan, Director of AFD in Viet Nam.
Representing USTH at the meeting were Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest and Mr. Patrice Estellé, Director of the Department of Research, Innovation and International Cooperation.
In his remarks, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest provided an overview of USTH’s establishment and development, highlighting the University’s strengths in training and research, as well as its strategic priorities for the coming years. He emphasized that USTH was founded under the Franco-X model—a cooperation framework between France and a partner country—within the strategic partnership between the Governments of Viet Nam and France in science and technology, and is widely regarded as the most successful Franco-X project to date.
He also outlined USTH’s priority fields of training and research, including life sciences, environmental sciences, energy, materials science, information technology, space science, and semiconductor technology. Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest further noted that USTH has been accredited by the High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) of France, confirming its status as a recognized higher education institution. In 2026, USTH was ranked sixth among Vietnamese universities, up one place from 2025, reaffirming its growing standing within the national higher education system.
As a university established under the Intergovernmental Agreement between Viet Nam and France, USTH benefits from a strong network of partnerships with leading French universities, research institutions, and centers. With remarkable progress in both quality and scale of its training and research activities, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest expressed his confidence in USTH’s continued development and its aspiration to further consolidate its position as one of Viet Nam’s leading universities.
On behalf of the AFD delegation, Mr. Julien Seillan introduced the French Development Agency and outlined its key areas of operation in Viet Nam. For more than 30 years, AFD has supported Viet Nam’s development through financial and technical assistance for projects in climate change adaptation, energy transition, and urban transport.
The AFD delegation expressed strong appreciation for USTH’s achievements in education and scientific research, and showed particular interest in the University’s priority areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss potential avenues for future cooperation. Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest affirmed USTH’s readiness to participate in and contribute to collaborative initiatives consistent with the University’s mission and research strengths, thereby enhancing USTH’s role within the Viet Nam–France scientific and educational cooperation ecosystem.
About the French Development Agency (AFD)
The French Development Agency (AFD) is one of the two principal official development assistance (ODA) providers of the French Government in Viet Nam, accounting for approximately 60–70% of France’s total ODA to the country.
AFD has operated in Viet Nam since 1994. To date, it has committed more than €1.7 billion in loans to the Government of Viet Nam, with 80 projects completed, handed over, and put into operation.
