USTH continues to affirm its position as an attractive destination for international students in Vietnam. Since October 2025, the University has welcomed a group of students from the University of Perugia, Italy, for a three-month exchange and internship programme in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and materials science.
The internship is part of the cooperation agreement between USTH and the University of Perugia under Erasmus+, the European Union-funded international mobility programme. This year marks the third consecutive year that USTH has hosted students from the University of Perugia for research internships, demonstrating the effectiveness of the partnership model in education and research between the two institutions.
The University of Perugia, or Università degli Studi di Perugia, is one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions. Located in the city of Perugia in the Umbria region, the University was founded in 1308 and has a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and research. It offers a wide range of programmes across disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine.
Since October 2025, students from the University of Perugia have undertaken internships at USTH’s Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology and Department of Life Sciences. Under the guidance of experienced lecturers and researchers, they have joined a variety of research projects with rich academic content and strong practical relevance in biomedicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and materials science for medical applications.
In addition, the students also participated in a two-week observational internship at Tue Tinh Hospital under the Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine and E Hospital — two of USTH’s trusted partners in biomedical education and research. This experience allowed the students to observe clinical practice, learn about distinctive treatment approaches in traditional medicine, and compare similarities and differences between healthcare systems in Vietnam and Europe. These multidimensional experiences have provided them with a broader understanding of healthcare in Southeast Asia, while enriching their knowledge and supporting their future professional development.
Students from the University of Perugia, during their observational internship at Tue Tinh Hospital under the Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine.
Sharing her experience, Asia Dolce, a Nursing student, said that her internship at USTH has offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen her research knowledge and laboratory skills, particularly in microbiology related to antimicrobial resistance. During her internship at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Life Sciences, she has been involved in preparing culture media, cultivating and isolating bacterial strains, conducting antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby–Bauer method, studying drug-resistance genes and the resistome, and learning about bacteriophage therapy. These tasks require meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to analyse scientific data.
Asia highly appreciated the dynamic research environment and modern facilities of the laboratory. She also emphasised the dedicated guidance and support she received from lecturers and researchers, which helped her quickly adapt to the pace of research and to a new academic environment.
Students from the University of Perugia during their observational internship at E Hospital.
Beyond academic learning, the internship has also been an opportunity for Asia to meet new friends and discover the unique cultural features of Vietnam. “Every day, I learn something new, challenge myself a little more, and become more integrated into life here. Every experience has been valuable, enriching, and unique,” Asia shared.
Meanwhile, Alessandro Cintiolis, also a Nursing student, said that during his internship at USTH, he joined a research project on the characterisation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, using Enterobacteriaceae samples collected from aquatic environments and healthcare facilities. According to Alessandro, Nursing students in Italy have limited opportunities to work in laboratories, so the research experience at USTH has opened up new and fascinating perspectives on the medical field.
Passionate about exploring culture and cuisine, Asia Dolce and Alessandro Cintiolis have also visited several well-known destinations in Vietnam, including Ninh Binh and Sa Pa, where they enjoyed the fresh, peaceful atmosphere and majestic natural landscapes. Asia was particularly impressed by the hospitality and kindness of the Vietnamese people in every place she visited throughout her journey across the S-shaped country.
The internship journey of students from the University of Perugia at USTH and in Vietnam has now entered its second month. Many meaningful academic and cultural experiences still await them in the time ahead.
With an international-standard learning and research environment, English as the language of instruction, and an extensive global partner network, USTH is increasingly strengthening its position as a preferred destination for international students seeking exchange, internship, and research opportunities in science and technology. In the coming years, USTH looks forward to welcoming more students from the University of Perugia and other universities around the world.
