The ceremony was conducted in a dignified atmosphere and was attended by representatives of both institutions, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Son, President of HNUE, along with heads of relevant departments, and Mr. Tomas Legrand, an authorised representative of Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, accompanied by senior staff and experts from Belgium. Notably, members of the Belgian Royal Delegation were present, underscoring the high-profile significance of the event during the state visit.

Speaking after the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Son expressed his honour at welcoming the delegation from Belgium and emphasised that the agreement with Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is a significant milestone in HNUE’s internationalisation strategy. He noted that the partnership offers HNUE students and lecturers a valuable opportunity to experience a modern, practical, and multicultural academic environment in Belgium – a country renowned for its advanced higher education system. He expressed optimism that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial and further elevate HNUE’s international profile.

In line with principles of equality, reciprocity, and mutual respect, the newly signed agreement encompasses several key areas of collaboration. Firstly, abut student exchanges, each year, up to four Social Work students and two Early Childhood Education students from each university will be hosted by the partner institution for a maximum of five months of study or internship. These exchange students will be exempt from tuition fees at the host institution and will have their academic credits recognised upon completion of their programmes. Secondly, about faculty exchange and development, both universities will create opportunities for faculty members to undertake short-term teaching or research visits at the partner institution. This includes the sharing of academic expertise and educational materials to enrich the teaching and learning experience on both sides. Thirdly, about joint academic initiatives, the two institutions agreed to collaborate on developing curricula and training programmes, co-organising academic workshops and seminars, and initiating joint research projects. These initiatives are designed to foster shared expertise and innovation, and are especially meaningful in the context of globalisation and the growing imperative to enhance the quality of higher education.

This partnership comes amid increasingly robust Vietnam–Belgium cooperation in education, science, and technology. In recent years, Belgian universities have actively expanded their collaboration networks in Vietnam, making education an effective bridge for people-to-people exchange and cultural understanding between the two countries.

The signing ceremony is not only a meaningful milestone for the two universities, but also a symbol of their close ties and shared vision for high-quality, innovative, and internationally integrated education. Both HNUE and Artevelde University of Applied Sciences affirmed their commitment to a sustained and strategic academic partnership, looking forward to continued flourishing collaboration in the years ahead.

Here are some photos at the meeting:

News: The President's Office