The 19th Southeast Asia Network Forum, subtitled "International Collaboration towards Sustainability and Environmental Studies", was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 28 February 2024. Launched in 2015, the forum is held periodically at different locations throughout the ASEAN region by Kyoto University and local alumni with the aim of sharing the University's latest academic achievements relating to topics of regional interest.
The 19th edition of the forum was hosted by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the Kyoto University ASEAN Center, and Kyoto University's Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. Over 70 people attended, including local academics, students, and others.
The forum opened with remarks from President Huynh Quyet Thang of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Professor Ta Thanh Van, chairman of Kyoto University's Vietnam Alumni Association, and Professor Kyoko Inagaki, Kyoto University's executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and external affairs.
After the opening speeches, lectures about research and education collaboration between Japan and Vietnam were delivered by Professor Izuru Saizen of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies and Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet of Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
A panel discussion was then held with Professor Emeritus Shigeo Fujii of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Dr Hor Sanara of the Royal University of Agriculture (Cambodia), Dr Thatheva Saphangthong of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Laos), Professor Shinya Echigo of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Chancellor Jose V Camacho Jr of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, President Suwanchai Lohawatanakul of the Thailand Productivity Institute, and Dr Nguyen Pham Hong Lien of Hanoi University of Science and Technology. The forum was then closed with an address by Dr Dinh Quang Hung of Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
In addition, the day before the forum, a closed meeting was held to discuss collaboration and exchange between Kyoto University and its alumni in ASEAN countries, and the further development of overseas alumni association activities.
