The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided 2.4 million USD of funding for a project to improve capacity building in Tay Bac (Northwest) University.

The three-year project aims to strengthen the capacity of Tay Bac University through an improvement in its curriculum; implementation of research programmes, and promotion of outreach activities.

During the project's implementation, the university curriculum and teaching materials will be reviewed and revised, or newly developed. In addition, research programmes and outreach activities will be conducted in the Northwest region in collaboration with local authorities and communities.

The Northwest region, including Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Hoa Binh provinces, is recognised as the poorest region in Vietnam with a poverty rate of over 50 percent. To speed up the development of the region, improved training for workers in the field of rural development is urgently required.

Through the project, it is expected that Tay Bac University will become a leading local capacity builder, playing a key role the development of the Northwest region./.