The international conference organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) with the theme “International Cooperation towards Excellence in Education and Research” was officially kicked off on December 7, 2023, at University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH).
ASAIHL, established in 1956 in Bangkok, Thailand, as a non-governmental organization, aims to assist universities in developing international standards in training, research, and public services. Currently, ASAIHL has 245 member universities from 25 countries worldwide.
ASAIHL organizes annual conferences and workshops at its member institutions to foster connections, share experiences in university management, teaching, and research, and ultimately facilitate the development of collaborative programs.
The conference provided an opportunity for countries in the region, ASAIHL member universities, and international experts to come together and share their experiences in developing and implementing collaborative educational and scientific research programs. These collaborations involve partners within Southeast Asia as well as partners from regions such as Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and others. In the current stage of development in Southeast Asia, where resources are limited, international cooperation is considered an effective approach to collectively strive for high-quality education and outstanding research outcomes.
Attending the event were Prof. Chu Hoang Ha, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Chairman of the USTH University Council; Ms. Cécile Vigneau, First Counselor of the French Embassy in Vietnam; Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary-General of ASAIHL; Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector of USTH; Assoc. Prof. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh, Rector of USTH; 18 ASAIHL Council members, and over 100 representatives from ASAIHL member universities.
In his opening speech, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest welcomed representatives of over 50 educational institutions from 13 countries attending the conference. He thanked ASAIHL for choosing USTH to host the event and shared USTH’s establishment and mission to train high-quality human resources in science and technology for Vietnam’s development. He highlighted the challenges the university leaders face in the fast-changing digital era and expressed hope that the conference would be a chance for reflection and experience sharing, as well as an opportunity to explore Vietnam’s hospitality and beauty. Prof. Lavest wished the conference success and fruitful exchanges.
Prof. Chu Hoang Ha emphasized Vietnam’s new development phase, aiming for rapid economic growth and sustainable development. Science, technology, and innovation are key drivers for the economy, which are only achievable through the active participation of Vietnamese universities in training high-quality human resources, especially future leaders capable of addressing challenges in the Industry 4.0 revolution.
Prof. Chu Hoang Ha highlighted international cooperation as a focus of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to enhance training and research quality. VAST has collaborated with leading research organizations worldwide, including CNRS – France, NIMS – Japan, KIST – Korea, and major universities in Europe, the USA, and Japan. He hoped the international conference would enable VAST and USTH to learn from and share experiences with ASAIHL members.
Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary-General of ASAIHL, thanked the warm welcome from USTH. He mentioned ASAIHL’s history, mission, and the importance of international cooperation in education and research. USTH exemplifies the success of international collaboration in higher education and research, strongly supported by the governments of Vietnam and France, VAST, and a Consortium of over 30 French universities and research institutions. Dr. Olanvoravuth hoped the conference would be a platform for member universities to exchange initiatives, share success stories, and offer insights into international cooperation amidst challenges, aiming to improve training and research quality.
After the opening session, the conference continued on December 7-8, 2023, with the sharings from representatives of ASAIHL member universities.
Some moments of the conference:
