Professor emeritus at the University of Poitiers, Bernard Legube has had a rich career as a lecturer-researcher, expert in “Water Quality and Treatment”, coordinator of international scientific programs, and President of the USTH Consortium.
Since November 1, 2022, Prof. Bernard Legube has retired and set down as President of the USTH Consortium, to make room for younger people, new ideas, and new thinking.
In the interview with us, he looked back on his 10 years with the USTH Consortium, first as Vice President and then as President.
In 1999, within the framework of scientific cooperation between France and Vietnam, Prof. Bernard Legube became involved in a research project on the theme of water with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). He received Vietnamese doctoral students to do research in his laboratory and formed numerous working relationships and friendships with Vietnamese colleagues.
Prof. Bernard Legube
Due to his experience, when the Consortium was created in 2010 with the mission to support the development of USTH, its former president Marie-France Barthet offered him the position of Vice-President. His responsibility was to coordinate between USTH and the university members within the USTH Consortium to manage the Vietnamese – French double degree Master programs. Then in 2014, he was appointed as the president of the USTH Consortium.
During his presidency, he has made tremendous contributions to many crucial projects, which have been devoted significantly to the advancement of USTH. They include the accreditation of the USTH Master programs by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the successful implementation of aeronautical training programs in the collaboration with Airbus, Vietnam Airlines, VAECO, and France Aerospace Institute (Bricks) in 2017, the renewal of the intergovernmental agreement between Vietnam and France for the development of USTH in 2019, the launch of double degree bachelor programs in collaboration with the French university members within the USTH Consortium in 2022.
“USTH is such a fascinating university, where Vietnamese students can access world-class education and French degrees in Hanoi. I am jubilant to be part of its journey.” He proudly cited.
Prof. Bernard Legube attributed the achievements of his tenure to the smooth coordination between the Vietnamese and French sides, even during the Covid pandemic.
He recalled great moments which have imprinted on his memory, namely his first course at USTH with the students of the Department of Water- Environment – Oceanography, his appointment ceremony as the president of the USTH Consortium at the University of Poitiers, the 10th year anniversary of USTH, the warm welcome of Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh – President of VAST whenever he comes to Hanoi and many vigorous meetings with the French and Vietnamese colleagues. He emphasized: “What I gained the most during my tenure was the trust from the Vietnamese leaders, the President of VAST along with the French and Vietnamese colleagues, which motivated and brought me a lot of happiness.”
As USTH is entering its important phase of transformation, he passed some words of wisdom to his successor. USTH is a collaborative higher education project between Vietnam and France. Due to its unique model, it’s better not to “copy-and-paste” the model of French universities to USTH. Nurturing the teamwork culture, respecting the Vietnamese culture, listening to the ideas of Vietnamese colleagues, and working based on mutual understanding are the keys to moving the bilateral collaboration forwards and flourishing.
He also emphasized the essentiality of building closer ties with the world of industry, advocating the creation of startups and innovations within the USTH, particularly in the fields of ICT.
Prof. Bernard Legube said he was looking forward to participating in the Consortium assembly in Hanoi in 2023 to bid farewell to his colleagues at USTH and in Vietnam.
| The USTH Consortium was established in 2010, gathering about 30 leading French universities and research institutes. Its mission is to support the training and scientific activities of USTH, facilitating the University to build the ideal environment for the Vietnamese young generation to pursue their passion for science and technology. |