Promoting educational and training cooperation between Vietnam and East Timor

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

Attending the reception ceremony were Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son (Vice President of VNU), Professor 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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Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh presented a souvenir from the School to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

In his welcoming speech to the Prime Minister, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh introduced the long tradition and development history of the University - one of the first universities, honored to have President Ho Chi Minh sign the decree to establish in 1945. Up to now, after nearly 70 years of development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has maintained its leading position in training in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities in Vietnam, especially contributing significantly to the building and development of friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and countries in the region and the world.

The speech of the Rector also reviewed the important milestones in the Vietnam – East Timor cooperation relationship starting from 2002 – the time when East Timor officially became an independent country. Up to now, along with bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation activities, the relationship between the two countries has been established on a solid foundation with many similarities, and is increasingly developing with a good prospect.

In that context, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh said 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. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh emphasized: “The University of Social Sciences and Humanities wishes to establish and expand cooperation in training and scientific research with universities, research institutes and educational institutions of East Timor, contributing to the building and development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries”.

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Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão presented a paper on State-building: the East Timor experience in the Southeast Asian context.

The highlight of the ceremony was the speech by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to a large number of officials, scientists, students and trainees of the University with the theme “State building: the experience of East Timor in the context of Southeast Asia”. The Prime Minister also shared that his speech aimed to provide Vietnamese youth with information and a deeper understanding of East Timor – one of the youngest countries in the world with a population of 1.2 million people, which has similarities with Vietnam in its history of fighting against foreign domination and domination, in its efforts to fight for national independence and is now overcoming challenges to rebuild the country as well as integrate with the region and the world. “Your victorious struggle is an inspiration for us, helping us see our path in the most difficult circumstances” – said the Prime Minister.

Talking about the difficulties of East Timor in recent years when the country was under pressure to develop the economy, ensure conditions for health, education, social security for the people, resolve political conflicts, etc., Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said that East Timor will learn and share experiences about the development models of many countries, but will go its own way because "we have to take our own destiny and responsibility and solve it".

Affirming the policy of expanding international cooperation, the Prime Minister said: “As a country in the Southeast Asian community, East Timor is committed to becoming a responsible member of the international community, constantly increasing its participation in external activities in regions around the world.” He also said that Vietnam has brought to the world experience in a new development model and the two countries can learn from each other’s experiences in their development process.

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Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son took a souvenir photo with the working delegations from both sides.

The Prime Minister also gave positive comments to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular and VNU in general, saying that the University and VNU are making great and important contributions in helping Vietnam grasp new development opportunities in the future.

With his simple, friendly style and lively content in his speech, the Prime Minister of East Timor received enthusiastic responses from young people. He also spent a lot of time interacting and answering the concerns of Vietnamese students on many issues: the encouragement and support policies of the East Timorese State for education and the young generation; specific opportunities and prospects in bilateral cooperation between the two countries; the development path of East Timor in the present and the future...