Technology (AIT) traveled to Vietnam to explore possible collaborations
and visit the AIT Center located in Hanoi.
President Said Irandoust and Professor Vilas Wuwongse, Vice
President for External Relations and Interim Director of the AIT
Center in Vietnam, had discussions with the decision makers from
the following ministries, institutes and universities:
- Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment
- Vietnam National University
- Ministry of Science and Technology
- AIT Center in Vietnam
- Vietnam International Education Development
(VIED)
Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment
(IMH)
The AIT delegation discussed the possibility of joint Ph.D.
programs with joint supervision in the field of water resources,
climate change and coastal zone management among others. Vietnam has
received around 40 million US dollars from Danida, UNDP, Sweden, ADB,
the Netherlands etc. for climate change related initiatives, and
IMH is currently working on the development of a national program
on climate change.
The Director General Dr. Thuc is an AIT alumnus, who completed
both his master’s and doctoral studies from AIT. IMH
http://www.imh.ac.vn has established a number of
Centers in areas such as meteorology and climatology; agricultural
meteorology; environment research; advanced technology applications
etc. IMH is also engaged in postgraduate education and consulting
services.
(VNU)
An MoU was signed between AIT and the Vietnam National
University (VNU)
http://www.vnu.edu.vn/en/ with the following
representatives:
The President of VNU Professor Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan
Vice President Professor Vu Minh Giang, Director from the
R&D Department
Dr. Vu Ngoc Tu, Director of the International Relations
Department / Director of the Asia Research Center
VNU is a very strong and well respected university. A number of
prominent persons have visited the university over the years, which
includes the former President of the United States Bill Clinton in
2000. VNU has a city campus and also plans to set up a new campus
approximately 30 kms from Hanoi, which will be constructed
in different phases, with the completion targeted for 2015. We have
discussed the possibility of AIT being hosted in their
current city as well as future campus.
VNU is among the 6 universities in Vietnam, with whom AIT
is planning to implement joint doctoral degree programs. Aside
from this we are also exploring the possibility of partnering VNU in
joint undergraduate degree programs.
Ministry of Science and Technology
Professor Nguyen Quan, Vice Minister, Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST), and AIT alumnus met with the AIT
delegation along with Dr. Hoang Van Sinh, Deputy Director-General,
Department of International Cooperation, MOST.
The recent developments at AIT were highlighted during the
meeting, including how AIT as evolved into a regional
knowledge hub. Emphasis on the possibility of an AIT partnership with
the Ministry was also explored. It was discussed that AIT could play a
major role in the Ministry’s capacity building efforts as well was
providing support to focus areas which encapsulate supporting the
private sector to become more knowledge based, were made. President
Said Irandoust also sought the support of the Ministry by allocating
government scholarships to AIT.
The request transfer of the AIT Center in Vietnam (AITCV) by the
Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) was also discussed. The
advice and support of the Vice Minister was sought specifically in the
details pertaining to the assignment of another location for the AITCV.
The current infrastructure related costs were waived and borne by the
host country as their contribution in the partnership. Vice
Minister Quan offered to personally discuss this matter with MOET
and AIT was subsequently informed that this has issue was brought to
the attention of the Minister of MOET.
MOST has been assigned to strengthen the research within the
country and plans to set up a hi-tech park about 30 kms from
Hanoi. The Ministry has invited AIT to set up an AIT
R&D Center in the Park, with the likelihood of AIT
being provided free land. One of the tasks of the Ministry is
also to strengthen the science and technology base in the country
wherein the partnership with AIT could be further
strengthened.
President Said Irandoust and VP Wilas Wuwongse had a strategic
planning meeting with the AITCV staff, wherein various administrative
matters, opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for AITCV were
discussed.
Vietnam International Education Development
(VIED)
After updating Dr. Nguyen Xuan Vang, Director General of the Vietnam
International Education Development (VIED), MOET on the recent
developments at AIT, the idea of the possibility of joint
Ph.D. programs planned with the 6 Vietnamese universities was explored
and discussed. Director General Vang expressed his support of these
partnerships between Vietnamese and foreign universities, as well as
the launching of Ph.D. programs in areas which are relevant to
Vietnam’s focus on generating professional
careers.