On 27 January 2026, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) and École Centrale de Lyon (France) signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen collaboration in education, scientific research, and academic exchange. The agreement establishes a framework for expanded cooperation and creates new opportunities for student mobility, internships, and joint research activities between the two institutions.
École Centrale de Lyon is one of France’s leading engineering schools and a member of the prestigious Grandes Écoles system. The institution has strong expertise in high-level engineering training, scientific research, and technology transfer. With an extensive network of academic and industrial partners, École Centrale de Lyon plays an important role in France’s and Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem and is a trusted partner in numerous international cooperation programmes.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two institutions have agreed to strengthen cooperation in training, research, and academic exchange, to enhance training quality, reinforce research capacity, and promote international engagement in higher education. Key areas of collaboration include the exchange of students at all training levels; exchange of academic and administrative staff; implementation of joint research projects; and the co-organisation of scientific conferences, seminars, and activities related to science, technology, and innovation.
Within the framework of this cooperation, USTH and École Centrale de Lyon will implement exchange programmes allowing students to undertake study, internships, and research at the partner institution for either a semester or a full academic year. These activities aim to strengthen students’ disciplinary knowledge while also fostering foreign-language proficiency, research skills, and the ability to work effectively in an international environment.
Students from École Centrale de Lyon may undertake internships at USTH laboratories for a minimum duration of three months, participate in research or exchange semesters, or complete final-year internships of at least five months under joint academic supervision.
Conversely, USTH students may join one- or two-semester exchange programmes at École Centrale de Lyon’s campuses in Écully and Saint-Étienne. Final-year USTH students may also enrol in the Diploma in Advanced Studies – DESECL, corresponding to the final year of École Centrale de Lyon’s engineering programme, combined with a graduation internship. In addition, USTH students may participate in short-term research training programmes (Certificate in Research Training) and conduct graduation internships at École Centrale de Lyon’s laboratories or partner organisations under joint academic supervision.
In the area of scientific research, the cooperation agreement provides a foundation for the development of joint research projects and encourages the participation of lecturers, researchers, and doctoral students from both sides. Research activities will focus on areas of shared interest and expertise, with the aim of producing high-quality scientific outcomes with strong application potential, enhancing international research publications, and gradually establishing sustainable joint research groups.
Beyond training and research, the agreement also highlights the importance of academic exchange activities, including the exchange of lecturers, research and administrative staff, as well as the co-organisation of conferences, seminars, and other scientific events. These activities facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experience in university governance, and advanced approaches to teaching and research.
The signing of this cooperation agreement not only expands USTH’s international partnership network but also reaffirms the University’s development orientation as a research-oriented institution, closely integrating training with scientific research and actively engaging with the global higher education and science-technology landscape.
