Southeast Asian, European universities discuss higher education governance reform
A workshop on building common development strategies for higher education was held at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) in Belgium on September 29, attracting representatives of eight Vietnamese and Cambodian universities and the Francophone University Agency (AUF).
Hanoi University is among the Vietnamese schools joining the Renewed University Steering in Southeast Asia (PURSEA) project. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – A workshop on building commondevelopment strategies for higher education was held at the Free University ofBrussels (ULB) in Belgium on September 29, attracting representatives of eightVietnamese and Cambodian universities and the Francophone University Agency (AUF).
Participants discussed skills in making strategic plans onhigher education, plan implementation, the establishment of systems for assessingteaching quality and assisting lecturers, and policies for research and capitalisationof research findings, which are all important to Southeast Asian universities,especially in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the reform of higher educationgovernance.
The workshop was part of the Renewed University Steering inSoutheast Asia (PURSEA) project funded by the EU from 2020 to 2023 within theframework of the Erasmus - Key Action 2 programme that aims at improvinguniversities’ capacity.
The Vietnamese schools in the PURSEA project comprise theHanoi University, the Hanoi Architectural University, the University ofTransport and Communications, the University of Science and Technology underthe Da Nang University, along with the University of Social Sciences andHumanities and the University of Economics and Law under the Vietnam National University- Ho Chi Minh City.
Five universities and institutes of France, one university ofBelgium, and another from Germany provide experts and experience under the project.
Sandrine Canter, who is in charge of the ULB’s qualitydivision, said PURSEA is an ambitious and important project which has seenimpressive performance by Vietnamese and Cambodian universities despite theCOVID-19 pandemic over the last two years.
She also highly valued the Vietnamese partners’ efforts andcapacity in coordinating this project.
Prior to this workshop, representatives of the Vietnamese andCambodian schools had exchanged experience in this field with leaders of the Universityof Lorraine in France’s Nancy city./.
The Partnership for Higher Education Reform (PHER), which involves some Vietnamese and US universities, was launched on August 1 with a view to improving the academic quality, governance, and market relevance of Vietnam’s higher education institutions.
The Vietnam National University - Hanoi (VNU) ranked 758th in the latest Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, jumping 186 places from the previous list released in January.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam requested construction of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-HN) campus be sped up while examining the project in the Hoa Lac area in Thach That district on August 16.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on September 12 announced that it has signed its first-ever Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam (MOET) to improve the quality of Vietnamese higher education.
The Industrial University of HCM City (IUH) has launched the first Smart Grid Lab in Vietnam, giving 350 students a year the opportunity to build the skills they need to address the power network challenges of the future.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Hanoi University is among the Vietnamese schools joining the Renewed University Steering in Southeast Asia (PURSEA) project. (Photo: VNA) 
