On June 17, 2026, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) and ESTACA – Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile, France, held a signing ceremony for a Partnership Agreement aimed at promoting student and academic personnel exchanges, as well as developing academic, training, and research activities in the field of engineering.
Representing ESTACA at the ceremony were Mr. Denis Bertrand, Director; Ms. Isabelle Frappat, Director of International and Corporate Relations; Prof. Thuy-Quynh Truong-Hoang, Researcher/Professor at ESTACALAB; and Ms. Henna Mertanen, Head of International Relations.
Representing USTH were Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector of USTH; Assoc. Prof. Tran Dinh Phong, Vice Rector of USTH; Prof. Patrice Estellé, Director of the Department of Research, Innovation and International Affairs; Dr. Hoang Trung Kien, Director of the Department of Technology and Engineering; and Ms. Do Thi Thuy Trang, Deputy Director of the Department of Research, Innovation and International Affairs.
The Partnership Agreement is the result of ongoing discussions and joint efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. Earlier, on March 27, 2026, a USTH delegation visited and worked with ESTACA as part of its mission to universities and research institutes in France. The visit opened up promising prospects for cooperation in engineering fields where both institutions have strong expertise.
Speaking at the ceremony, representatives of both sides expressed their pleasure at this important milestone, which marks the formal establishment of cooperation between USTH and ESTACA. They affirmed that the agreement represents an important first step in laying the foundation for a long-term and sustainable partnership. Both sides also expressed their expectation that the agreement would create broader opportunities for cooperation in training and research, strengthen academic links, and promote each institution’s strengths in the years ahead.
Under the signed agreement, USTH and ESTACA agreed to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the exchange of academic program materials, lecturers, and student exchanges, the joint organization of scientific seminars and conferences, the implementation of joint research projects, and the development of training programs leading towards joint degrees at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
The two sides also agreed to promote student exchange programs at bachelor’s and master’s levels in engineering fields where USTH and ESTACA have strong expertise. Accordingly, USTH students will have the opportunity to study at ESTACA in areas such as Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics, Automotive, Space, Naval, Rail, and Urban Transportation, as well as the Automotive & Aeronautics Design Program. Conversely, ESTACA students will have the opportunity to study at USTH in programs offered by the Department of Technology and Engineering, including Aeronautical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy, and Science Aeronautics and Space. The exchange period is expected to range from one semester to one academic year.
The exchange program will be implemented on the principle of tuition exemption at the host institution. Students will register and pay tuition fees at their home institution, while receiving academic, administrative, housing-related, and other necessary support from the partner institution throughout their study period.
In addition, the agreement opens up opportunities for the exchange of students, PhD candidates, and qualified lecturers to take part in research activities, academic consultation, and short-term teaching between USTH and ESTACA. It will serve as an important foundation for strengthening links between research groups, promoting joint scientific publications, and developing training initiatives that respond to the practical needs of modern engineering sectors.
ESTACA is one of France’s leading engineering schools, with more than 100 years of experience in training and research in key engineering fields such as aeronautics, automotive engineering, space, and transportation. Expanding cooperation with ESTACA further contributes to strengthening USTH’s strategic network of partnerships with leading universities and research institutes in France. Through this partnership, the University reaffirms its commitment to internationalization, continuous improvement in the quality of training and research, and the provision of an international-standard learning environment for its students.
