Party and State leaders attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam-Japan University.

Attending the ceremony, on the Japanese side were Mr. Takebe Tsutomu - Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance; Mr. Fukada Hiroshi - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam; and Mr. Mori Mutsuya - Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam.

On July 21, 2014, the Prime Minister signed a decision establishing the Vietnam-Japan University, the 7th member university of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). On August 30, 2014, in Document No. 354/TB-VPCP, the Prime Minister agreed in principle to assign VNU as the investor for the construction project of the Vietnam-Japan University. The Ministry of Construction approved the adjustment and supplementation of the construction plan for the Vietnam-Japan University within the VNU campus in Hoa Lac. The Vietnam-Japan University will be built on a 75-hectare campus in Hoa Lac, with a total construction investment of approximately 365 million USD. The university's facilities are expected to be substantially completed by 2020.

Party and State leaders, leaders of several ministries and sectors, and leaders of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam-Japan University construction project. (Photo: Bui Tuan)

The Vietnam-Japan University is organized according to the advanced Japanese university model, with Japanese, English, and Vietnamese as the main languages ​​of instruction. It benefits from the direct support and participation of Japanese scientists, experts, entrepreneurs, and students in Vietnam. The university is expected to be a driving force in spreading and sharing Japanese cultural and intellectual values ​​in Vietnam, becoming a center for cultural, scientific, and educational exchange between the two countries.

In the field of education, the University will focus on high-tech engineering disciplines such as nanotechnology, new materials technology, mechanical engineering and automation, and interdisciplinary sciences such as climate change and sustainable development. These disciplines and specializations will be taught in conjunction with research and experimentation using modern equipment and laboratory systems. At the same time, the University will prioritize the development of social sciences and humanities, aligning with the advantages and friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan. The Vietnam-Japan University plans to offer master's degree programs starting in 2016, and undergraduate and doctoral programs starting in 2018.

In scientific research, the Vietnam-Japan University will focus on advanced, highly integrated technologies, aiming for complete products, thereby increasing the proportion of high-tech products and products using high technology in industrial production value. The university will also focus on interdisciplinary scientific fields such as climate change and disaster prevention, contributing to increased adaptation to climate change and sustainable development in Vietnam. Research will be conducted using a collaborative research center model, with research projects commissioned by businesses, the government, localities, and international organizations.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), Phung Xuan Nha, stated that VNU has been very active and proactive in coordinating with relevant ministries, agencies, and Japanese partners to implement the Vietnam-Japan University construction project. VNU has established the Vietnam-Japan University Management Board; worked with relevant ministries and agencies to adjust and supplement the planning, clear the land, and hand over the land for the project; worked with relevant parties and will soon submit a request to the Japanese Government for technical assistance for the University; organized investment promotion activities, introducing opportunities for cooperation with the Vietnam-Japan University to Japanese businesses; and worked with Japanese agencies, organizations, and universities to develop training and research programs at the new university...

The Director of VNU also emphasized that the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan University, with its modern facilities and the collaborative participation of leading universities in Japan and around the world, will be an opportunity for VNU to perfect its multidisciplinary university model, develop advanced technologies and interdisciplinary sciences, increase internationalization indicators, and improve its international ranking.

Scene from the ceremony/Photo: Bui Tuan

Representing the Party and State leadership, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam highly appreciated the significance of the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan University for the development of human resources in Vietnam and the "deep and comprehensive strategic partnership" between Vietnam and Japan. As a special university, a symbol of Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation, the Vietnam-Japan University must be an advanced, high-quality university, integrating advancements in international higher education with the unique strengths and values ​​of Vietnamese and Japanese education and culture, striving to become a large-scale, prestigious training center in the region.

To achieve the above objectives, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) focus on perfecting its governance structure according to the model of advanced universities worldwide and meticulously prepare training programs to ensure high quality and accreditation according to international standards from the outset. The Hanoi People's Committee and relevant agencies of Vietnam and Japan need to continue to support and closely coordinate to ensure that the Vietnam-Japan University construction project is implemented on schedule, with guaranteed quality and effectiveness.

Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Council and Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, sent a congratulatory letter to the groundbreaking ceremony with the following content:I hope to work with Vietnamese people to build a world-renowned university with Asian origins – with the goal of connecting the dreams and hopes of young people not only in Vietnam but throughout Asia."The unique feature of the Vietnam-Japan University is that it was established with the intention of creating a new university according to international standards, based on the linkage between businesses, researchers, and state organizations, targeting young people in Vietnam, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries."

President Truong Tan Sang and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the No. 1 Staff Housing Complex of Vietnam National University, Hanoi in Hoa Lac/Photo: Bui Tuan

Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam, highly appreciated the preparations made by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) for the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan University, especially the preparations for the commencement of the master's degree program in September 2016, the development of training programs, the recruitment of lecturers, and efforts to attract investment from businesses. The Ambassador also expressed his confidence in the success of the project: the efforts of both sides will help to soon build an advanced university – a new bridge between the two governments in training high-quality human resources in Vietnam.

Mr. Mori Mutsuya, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam, pledged that JICA will make every effort to implement the initial phase of the master's degree program at the Vietnam-Japan University starting in September 2016. For the Vietnam-Japan University to develop sustainably and become a symbol of the relationship between the two countries, in addition to support from both governments, active cooperation from businesses is essential.

In the presence of Party and State leaders, leaders of ministries and sectors, the leaders of Vietnam National University, Hanoi signed official cooperation agreements with partners within the framework of the Vietnam-Japan University construction project:

- Signing of a cooperation agreement between Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI): Cooperation in training, promoting collaboration in the implementation of the Vietnam-Japan University project, research, consulting and technology assessment according to the requirements of businesses, developing new technologies and establishing joint research centers between the two sides.

- Agreement signed between Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park Management Board: Cooperation in the fields of training, scientific research and technology transfer. The two sides will jointly build the Vietnam-Japan University by providing information about the Vietnam-Japan University to businesses in the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, and participating in advising on the implementation of activities linking the Vietnam-Japan University with the research and development of businesses in the high-tech park.

- Agreement signed between Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Osaka University (Japan): cooperation in preparing training programs for the Vietnam-Japan University.