Opening Ceremony for the Vietnam National University, Hanoi – Kyoto University Collaboration Office (VKCO)

September 17-18, 2010

A ceremony was held on September 17, 2010 at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) to commemorate the opening of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi – Kyoto University Collaboration Office (VKCO).

The VKCO was established with support from the Global 30 Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (G30) of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The new office, which is located on the campus of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, will provide information about Japanese universities to Vietnamese students who are interested in studying in Japan, and also gather information about the educational environment of Vietnam.

The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 100 guests, mainly government officials and delegates from academic institutions in Vietnam and Japan. The ceremony commenced with opening addresses by both Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan, president of VNU and Dr. Hiroshi Matsumoto, president of Kyoto University. The addresses were followed by a ceremony for the signing of an agreement between VNU and Kyoto University with regard to the establishment and management of the VKCO.

After the signing ceremony, congratulatory addresses were delivered by Mr. Koichi Aiboshi, minister of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Fumio Isoda, director-general of the Higher Education Bureau of MEXT and Mr. Nghiem Vu Khai, vice-chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment. Following the congratulatory addresses, the delegates were joined by Dr. Vu Minh Giang, vice-president of VNU for a ribbon‐cutting ceremony at the new office.

In the afternoon of the same day, an Inaugural Symposium was held at VNU, which featured a keynote speech by Dr. Yuichiro Anzai, advisor to the president of Kyoto University and academic advisor to Keio University. Dr. Anzai spoke in detail on the topic of academic exchange between Vietnam and Japan. Following Dr. Anzai’s speech, presentations were given by vice-presidents from Tsukuba University, the University of Tokyo and Nagoya University. As representatives of the thirteen universities selected by the Japanese government for the G30 Project, the three vice-presidents gave presentations on their institutions’ internationalization strategies. President Nhuan of VNU then brought the symposium to a close by outlining the expectations for the VKCO, and encouraging the attendees to give the new office their support.

On the following day (September 18), a Study in Japan Fair, organized by Kyoto University was held at the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel. The event featured booths operated by twelve leading Japanese universities. At each of the booths, delegates from the participating institutions delivered presentations and provided consultation to Vietnamese high school and university students interested in studying in Japan. The booths attracted large numbers of students, demonstrating the popularity of Japan among Vietnamese students as a country in which to gain international academic experience.

The VKCO aims to further develop this interest by serving as a point of contact between Vietnamese students and universities in Japan, and by conducting activities such as school visits and organizing further Study in Japan Fairs.

The Presidents of KU and VNU shake hands at the signing ceremony	The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the VKCO
(L to R) Mr. Koichi Aiboshi, minister of the Japanese Embassy, President Mai Trong Nhuan of VNU, President Hiroshi Matsumoto of KU, Vice-President Vu Minh Giang of VNU, Director-General Fumio Isoda of MEXT	The delegates inspect the new office
Panel discussion at the Inaugural Symposium	Vietnamese students visit the KU booth at the Study in Japan Fair