On November 5, 2026, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) held a meeting with a delegation from Vietnam-Germany University (VGU) to strengthen institutional ties and explore opportunities for future cooperation.
Representing USTH at the meeting were Prof. Thierry Verdel and Prof. Patrice Estellé – Director of the Department of Research and International Affairs. The VGU delegation included Ms. Christina Wolff, Head of the VGU International Office and Deputy Head of Academic and Student Affairs, and Ms.Vo Phan Hoang Trang, Vice Director of the VGU Industrial Relations and Technology Transfer Centre.
Both USTH and VGU are public universities established through intergovernmental cooperation between Vietnam and European countries with strong foundations in science, technology, and higher education. USTH was established under an intergovernmental agreement between Vietnam and France, while VGU was founded within the framework of cooperation between Vietnam and Germany.
The two universities share several common features in their development models, commitment to internationalizing higher education, and efforts to align education and research with labour market needs. These similarities provide a favourable foundation for sharing experience, developing collaborative initiatives, and leveraging each institution’s respective strengths and resources.
During the meeting, student exchange and research collaboration were identified as potential areas of cooperation, with initial discussions focusing on environmental sciences and information technology. The two sides also explored opportunities to expand exchange activities, enabling faculty members, researchers, and students to gain experience in diverse academic and research environments, promote knowledge sharing, and develop joint research projects.
The meeting marked another step forward in the growing relationship between the two universities, building on a series of reciprocal visits and working sessions involving their leadership. In November 2024, Prof. René Dieter Thiele, President of VGU, and Dr. Thomas Aulig, Vice President of VGU, visited USTH. In December 2025, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, former Principal Rector of USTH, and Prof. Jean-Paul Deroin, President of the USTH Consortium, paid a working visit to VGU.
Earlier, on June 9, 2022, USTH, VGU and Vietnam Japan University (VJU) signed a cooperation agreement, laying the groundwork for stronger connections and collaboration among the three higher education institutions established through international partnerships in Vietnam.
Through continued engagement, USTH and VGU aim to expand international learning and research opportunities for their faculty members and students while making effective use of their respective resources and strengths.
