Hanoi (VNA) – As part of the ongoing State visit to Vietnam by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, a delegation of Belgian ministers, regional governors, and leaders from universities and research institutions visited the Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi on April 1.
On this occasion, VNU-Hanoi in collaboration with the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation to Vietnam, KU Leuven University, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), organised a series of academic exchange events, including a seminar celebrating three decades of sustainable development through joint research, a high-level discussion on advancing academic and research partnerships, and a workshop on digital medicine for neurodegenerative diseases.
VNU-Hanoi President Le Quan emphasised the significance of these exchanges as a key milestone in the 30-year history of successful cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium in science, education, and research.
He noted that the collaboration has been continuously strengthened through joint research projects and exchanges of students and staff, with numerous successful initiatives addressing real-world challenges regarding environment, agriculture, health care, resource management, and urban development, and tourism.
Luc Sels, Rector of KU Leuven of Belgium, stressed the importance of expanding academic cooperation, especially in the face of global uncertainties.
He said Vietnamese and Belgian organisations have established an exemplary model of cooperation, where both sides contribute and benefit equally.
Sels outlined three pillars of collaboration: ensuring research excellence, translating results into tangible community benefits, and fostering societal relevance.
During the seminar on 30 years of sustainable development through joint research, participants discussed mechanisms and plans to further expand future research collaboration between Vietnam and Belgium. Successful research cooperation, they noted, requires the right tools and support mechanisms. Many emphasised the need for continued investment in academic partnerships and joint funding programmes to foster innovative solutions to shared challenges.
Additionally, the two nations agreed to cooperate in training high-quality human resources through expert and graduate exchange programmes, short-term training on advanced technologies, and knowledge transfer and management expertise.
The delegates also proposed a stronger commitment from both governments to continue investing in academic exchanges, research funding, and infrastructure to support long-term cooperation.
On this occasion, VNU-Hanoi and its affiliated units signed six cooperation agreements with Belgian organisations focused on education, research, and academic exchange./.
