Participants in the inaugural ceremony pose for a photo beside the busts of Vietnam's President Ho Chi Minh (L) and the Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal at Thai Nguyen University (Photo: baothainguyen.org.vn) Thai Nguyen (VNA) – Busts of the founder of modernVietnam President Ho Chi Minh and the Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizalwere unveiled at Thai Nguyen University in the northern province of Thai Nguyenon May 2.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Philippine Ambassadorto Vietnam Noel Servigon, representatives from the Vietnam-PhilippinesFriendship Association and local officials.
The two statues were created by painter andsculptor Nguyen Manh Duc from the Vietnam Central Fine Art Company under theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They are positioned at the campus ofthe International School of Thai Nguyen University.
Jose Rizal (1861 – 1896) was a national hero ofthe Philippines. He led the La Liga Filipina (The Philippine League) that aimedto unite the whole archipelago into one nation; defend against violence andinjustice; develop education, industry, agriculture, and commerce; and carryout reforms.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador NoelServigon thanked the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association, the VietnamUnion of Friendship Organisations and the Thai Nguyen provincial People’sCommittee for supporting the idea to create the busts.
In the Philippines, a bust of President Ho ChiMinh was also placed beside the one of Jose Rizal at the Laguna StatePolytechnic University, illustrating the two countries’ strategic partnershipand intensive educational cooperation, he noted.
Philippine universities have been traditionalpartners of Thai Nguyen University for many years. Since 2004, the universityhas carried out 19 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral training programmesin coordination with Philippine educational establishments, enrolling nearly1,700 students.
The two sides have also fruitfully organisedmany lecturer and student exchange programmes, short-term training courses, andworkshops.-VNA
VNA
