On March 24, 2026, at Université Paris-Saclay, a signing ceremony was held between the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi and Université Paris-Saclay to establish a cooperation agreement on the implementation of jointly supervised and double degree PhD training programs (cotutelle).
Representing Université Paris-Saclay at the ceremony were Prof. Mehran Mostafavi – Vice President for Research; Prof. Laurent Daniel – Director of the Graduate School of Engineering and Systems Sciences; Prof. Eric Cassan – Vice Director for International Cooperation of the Graduate School of Engineering and Systems Sciences; Prof. Gaël Sattonnay, Head of the Master’s Program in Nuclear Engineering; and Mr. Gaël Alsiret, International Doctoral Cooperation Officer at the Doctoral Training Institute.
Representing USTH were Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector; Assoc. Prof. Tran Dinh Phong – Vice Rector, Ms. Dinh Thi Huong Giang – Officer of the Research, Innovation and International Cooperation Department.
During the ceremony, representatives from both institutions expressed their delight at this important milestone in the partnership between USTH and Université Paris-Saclay. Both sides expressed confidence that the agreement would open up broader opportunities for cooperation in education and research, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources in science and technology for Vietnam in the coming years.
Under the agreement, the two institutions agreed to strengthen cooperation in doctoral training through a cotutelle model involving joint supervision and dual degree awarding. Accordingly, PhD candidates will spend their study and research periods at both USTH and Université Paris-Saclay while conducting their doctoral research under the joint supervision of scientists from both institutions. Upon graduation, candidates will receive two doctoral degrees: one from USTH and one from Université Paris-Saclay.
Through cotutelle programs, doctoral candidates will have opportunities to access advanced research methodologies and strengthen their academic knowledge and professional skills in an international environment alongside experienced scientists from USTH and Université Paris-Saclay. This will help enhance their research capacity, international integration, and global scientific collaboration.
The cooperation areas identified under the agreement include mathematics, physics, and chemistry; health sciences, biology, and pharmacy; computer science and information technology; communication systems; earth and environmental sciences; energy management; space science; life sciences; and advanced materials science and nanotechnology. These are not only key strengths in training and research for both USTH and Université Paris-Saclay, but also strategic fields supporting Vietnam’s sustainable development goals in the context of green and digital transformation.
During the signing ceremony, the two sides also discussed prospects for cooperation in engineering education and research, including the Master’s program in Nuclear Engineering.
Université Paris-Saclay is one of the members of the French consortium supporting the development of USTH (USTH Consortium) and has supported USTH for many years through collaborative activities in training and research. Paris-Saclay University has provided favorable conditions for USTH students to undertake internships, pursue academic exchange opportunities, and continue postgraduate studies in France.
Université Paris-Saclay is a prestigious institution consistently ranked among the leading universities in France and Europe. In 2025, the university ranked 70th among the world’s top universities according to the QS Rankings.
The signing of this cooperation agreement with Université Paris-Saclay marks another important step forward for USTH in expanding its international partnership network, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the university’s education and scientific research quality.
