Signed an MOU with St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Pham Quang Minh extended greetings to the delegation from St. Cyril University and St. Methodius Veliko Tarnovo. The Rector stated that the University is implementing an internationalization strategy and expanding international cooperation, including relations with Bulgarian partners such as Sofia University. The Rector hoped that through the signing of this memorandum of understanding, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and its Bulgarian counterparts would implement practical collaborations, for example, through the European Union's Erasmus+ program.

In response, Professor Hristo Bondzholov (Rector of St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo) expressed his honor at the warm welcome and thoughtful arrangements made by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Besides the Erasmus+ program, the two sides could cooperate in other areas. St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo could provide scholarships for the University's students to study in Bulgaria; and support the development of a Vietnamese-Bulgarian dictionary. He believes that by building strong trust, the two sides can maintain long-term cooperation.

Professor Pham Quang Minh exchanged cooperation agreements with Professor Hristo Bondzholov.

On behalf of the Bulgarian Embassy in Vietnam, Ambassador Marinela Petkova shared that Vietnam and Bulgaria have a long-standing traditional relationship. Leaders of both countries frequently exchange high-level visits, such as the visit of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh to the Republic of Bulgaria from December 3-5, 2018. Ambassador Marinela Petkova stated that the cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo also contributes to the overall bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Embassy is ready to support any future cooperation projects or programs between the two universities.

Ambassador Marinela Petkova speaks at the ceremony.

Following this, the leaders of both sides signed a memorandum of cooperation, according to which the two universities agreed to carry out the following activities: exchange of scientific staff (1-2 people); exchange of administrative staff; participation in joint research projects; exchange of specialized materials; participation in international academic activities organized by third parties; participation in joint projects funded by external parties; and organization of cultural, sports, and exhibition exchanges.

Professor Pham Quang Minh receives a commemorative gift from Professor Hristo Bondzholov.

St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo was founded in 1963 in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. It was ranked 16th among the top 47 universities in Bulgaria in 2018. The university has 18,000 students and comprises nine faculties: the Faculty of Economics, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Faculty of History, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Modern Languages, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, the Faculty of Philosophy, and the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics.