Hanoi (VNA) – The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will mark the 50th anniversary of New Zealand–Vietnam diplomatic relations by expanding its commitment to education and strengthening ties with one of Vietnam’s leading universities, according to AUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa.
Professor Salesa, part of the delegation accompanying New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on a three-day visit to Vietnam, starting on February 25, told the Vietnam News Agency that AUT will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (VNU-HCMUS) that extends a historic relationship with a new focus on research activity in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction.
The agreement will deepen and broaden AUT’s two decade-long relationship with VNU-HCMUS, with a particular focus on the critical skills needed in both countries, he said.
“New Zealand has a proud tradition of using education to strengthen our connections throughout our region – and beyond,” Salesa said.
“Not only will the MoU between AUT and VNU-HCMUS bind our countries closer together, but it will play an important role in producing research and delivering local graduates that will help address Vietnam’s skills shortage.
The professor stressed that as New Zealand’s only university of technology, AUT is uniquely positioned to collaborate with countries like Vietnam in advancing research that drives mutual progress in the emerging tech economy.
With a renewed focus on collaborative research projects, AUT and VNUHCM-US have committed to advance research and innovation in the fields of computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence within both universities and produce insights with real-world impact, he added./.
