Promoting cooperation in education and training between Vietnam and East Timor.

The delegation from the State of East Timor included many high-ranking officials such as: the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Environment, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Secretary-General for ASEAN of East Timor. Also accompanying the delegation was Mr. Jorge Camoes (Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of East Timor to Vietnam).

Attending the reception were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son (Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), along with teachers, scientists, and students of the University.

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Professor Nguyen Van Khanh presented a commemorative gift from the University to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

In his welcoming speech to the Prime Minister, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh introduced the rich tradition and history of the University – one of the first universities, honored to have been established by a decree signed by President Ho Chi Minh in 1945. To date, after nearly 70 years of development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has maintained its leading position in training in the social sciences and humanities in Vietnam, and has made a significant contribution to building and developing friendly cooperative relations between Vietnam and countries in the region and the world.

The Rector's speech also reviewed the important milestones in Vietnam-East Timor cooperation, beginning in 2002 – the year East Timor officially became an independent nation. To date, along with bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation, the relationship between the two countries has been established on a solid foundation with many similarities, and is developing increasingly with promising prospects.

In this context, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh believes that the visit of the Prime Minister of East Timor to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is of great significance and will help promote closer relations between the two countries in the field of education and training. Professor Nguyen Van Khanh emphasized: “The University of Social Sciences and Humanities wishes to establish and expand cooperative relations in training and scientific research with universities, research institutes, and educational institutions in East Timor, contributing to the building and development of friendly cooperative relations between the two countries.”

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Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão presented a paper titled "State Building: The Experience of East Timor in the Context of Southeast Asia."

The highlight of the ceremony was a speech by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to a large audience of officials, scientists, students, and trainees of the University on the topic "State Building: East Timor's Experience in the Southeast Asian Context." The Prime Minister also shared that his speech aimed to provide young Vietnamese people with more information and a deeper understanding of East Timor – one of the youngest countries in the world with a population of 1.2 million, sharing similarities with Vietnam in its history of fighting against foreign domination and rule, in its efforts to achieve national independence, and now overcoming challenges to rebuild the country and integrate with the region and the international community. "Your victorious struggle is an inspiration to us, helping us to see our path forward in the most difficult circumstances," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about the difficulties East Timor has faced in recent years, including pressures on economic development, ensuring adequate healthcare, education, and social welfare for its people, and resolving political conflicts, Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that East Timor will learn from and share experiences on development models from many countries, but will also forge its own path because "we must take control of our own destiny and responsibility and resolve it."

Affirming the policy of expanding international cooperation, the Prime Minister stated: “As a country in the ASEAN community, East Timor is committed to being a responsible member of the international community, constantly strengthening its participation in external activities in various regions of the world.” He also noted that Vietnam has provided the world with experience in a new development model and that the two countries can learn from each other's experiences in their own development processes.

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Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son pose for a commemorative photo with the working delegations from both sides.

The Prime Minister also gave positive remarks about the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular and Vietnam National University, Hanoi in general, stating that the University and Vietnam National University, Hanoi are making significant and important contributions to helping Vietnam seize new development opportunities in the future.

With his simple, approachable style and lively content in his speech, the Prime Minister of East Timor received a warm reception from the young people. He also spent a lot of time interacting with and answering questions from Vietnamese students on various issues: the policies of the East Timorese government to encourage and support education and the younger generation; specific opportunities and prospects in bilateral cooperation between the two countries; the development path of East Timor in the present and future…