The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) was founded in 1956 in Bangkok, Thailand as a non-governmental organization. The objective of the Association is to support universities to develop, towards international standards of teaching, research and public service. Until now, ASAIHL has 245 member universities from 25 countries around the world. With the aim of connecting and sharing university administration experiences, teaching and research experiences, thereby building and developing cooperation programs, ASAIHL organizes annual conferences and seminars at member schools. 

As a member of ASAIHL, USTH is honored to become the host of this meaningful event. The workshop is an opportunity for countries in the region, ASAIHL's member schools as well as international experts to share experiences in building and implementing cooperation programs in training and scientific research among partners in Southeast Asia, between partners in the region and partners from Europe, USA, Japan, Korea, etc. In the current stage of development in Southeast Asia, with limited resources, international cooperation is considered an effective way to work together towards excellent training and research quality.

Attending the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha, Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Chairman of USTH School Board; Ms. Cécile Vigneau, First Counsellor of the Embassy of France in Vietnam; Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Universities (ASAIHL); Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal of USTH; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh. Rector of USTH; and 18 ASAIHL Council members and more than 100 ASAIHL member university representatives.

Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal of USTH, speaks at the event

In opening remarks, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest extended his welcome to representatives of more than 50 educational institutions from 13 countries who attended the workshop. He thanked ASAIHL for choosing USTH to become the host for this International Conference event. Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest shared with distinguished guests and member universities of ASAIHL about the establishment process and mission of USTH in training high-quality human resources in the field of science and technology, promoting the development of Vietnam.

Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest also shared the difficulties of leaders in the new era in the face of the rapid development of digital tools. He expressed his hope that this International Conference will become a place for member universities to have time to listen, share and reflect together; at the same time, it becomes an opportunity for members to explore the hospitality as well as the beauty of Vietnam. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest wished the conference success and that members would have rich and useful exchanges.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha emphasized that Vietnam is entering a new stage of development with the goal of maintaining fast economic growth and at the same time towards sustainable development. The Vietnamese government identifies science, technology and innovation as important keys to promoting economic development. This goal can only be achieved when Vietnamese universities actively participate in training high-quality human resources, especially future leaders who are capable of solving challenges in the industrial revolution 4.0.

Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha, Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Chairman of USTH School Board, speaks at the event

Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha added that international cooperation is one of the focuses of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, aiming to promote the quality of training and research. Up to now, VAST has cooperated with leading research institutions of many countries around the world such as CNRS – France, NIMS – Japan, KIST – Korea and major universities in Europe, America, Japan, etc. He also expressed his hope that through this workshop, USTH in particular and the Academy in general can learn from ASAIHL members, and share their own experiences with the international community.

Ms. Cécile Vigneau – First Counsellor of the Embassy of France in Vietnam speaks at the event

Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Universities (ASAIHL) thanked the Organizing Committee and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (USTH). He shared the history and mission of ASAIHL, and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in training and research. He said that USTH is a typical example of the success of international cooperation in higher education and research when the University always receives strong support from the Governments of Vietnam and France, from Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and a network of more than 30 French universities and research organizations. Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth expects that the conference will become a place for member universities to exchange initiatives, share success stories from schools like USTH, insights on international cooperation in the context of many challenges, towards improving the quality of training and research.

Dr. Ninnat Olanvoravuth, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Universities (ASAIHL) speaks at the event

After the Opening Ceremony, discussions will take place on December 7-8, 2023 with the participation of education experts from ASAIHL's member universities. 

Group photo

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version