USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum: Advancing Strategic Cooperation in Education, Research, and International Integration

On the morning of December 17, at its Saigon Campus, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH-VNUHCM), in coordination with Dong-A University (Republic of Korea), hosted the USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum. The event was held as part of the official visit and working program of the Dong-A University leadership delegation to Vietnam, serving as a high-level dialogue platform to operationalize strategic cooperation priorities between the two institutions in a new phase.

An overview of the USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum held at the Saigon Campus of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH-VNUHCM delivered a speech at the Forum. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

Speaking at the Forum, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH-VNUHCM, highlighted the significance of strengthening the University’s international presence and academic reputation within the global higher education landscape. She noted that, in the context of deepening international integration, the academic identity of a university is shaped not only by its scale of training but also by multiple interrelated factors, including networks of students and alumni studying and working at universities worldwide; faculty members actively engaged in international teaching, research, and scholarly publication; and the leadership’s role in connecting and expanding international partnerships.

Building on this foundation, the President emphasized that the initiative to establish the USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum represents a concrete step toward deepening, substantiating, and sustaining cooperation between the two universities. Beyond creating a direct dialogue channel between institutional leaders, the Forum provides a space to jointly design practical cooperation initiatives that serve students and faculty while contributing to the long-term development of high-quality human resources. Within the program, the two sides also discussed opportunities to expand linkages between the universities, local authorities, and relevant partners, thereby promoting cooperation in education, culture, and urban development between Ho Chi Minh City and Busan.

Prof. Lee Hae Woo, President of Dong-A University shared the comprehensive cooperation with Vietnamese higher education institutions at the Forum. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

Representing the partner institution, Prof. Lee Hae Woo, President of Dong-A University, expressed his appreciation for the warm and respectful reception by USSH-VNUHCM and spoke highly of the University’s academic standing and role within Vietnam’s higher education system. He noted that Dong-A University is actively advancing its internationalization strategy and participating in a number of major projects supported by the Korean Government. In this context, he affirmed the University’s desire to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with Vietnamese higher education institutions, with USSH-VNUHCM identified as a key strategic partner.

In addition to leadership-level dialogue, the Forum program included an overview presentation of Dong-A University and a Q&A session with students and participants, enabling learners to gain deeper insights into the academic environment, study opportunities, and international exchange prospects in the Republic of Korea.

Lecturers and students from both universities engage in discussions at the USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum, aiming to translate strategic cooperation priorities into concrete initiatives. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

Notably, during the visit, Dong-A University awarded ten scholarships to students of USSH-VNUHCM, reflecting its tangible commitment to learners and its strong sense of social responsibility within the framework of educational cooperation between the two institutions.

Dong-A University awards ten grants to students from central Vietnam affected by storms and flooding, demonstrating solidarity, social responsibility, and its commitment to supporting students in overcoming post-disaster challenges. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

Grounded in mutual trust, open dialogue, and a shared vision, the Humanities–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum is expected to evolve into an effective cooperation mechanism, contributing to the development of exemplary partnership models in education, scientific research, and academic exchange, and thereby making a positive contribution to the advancement of Vietnam–Republic of Korea higher education cooperation in the new period.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Ngoc Thu, Head of the Office of External Relations and Research Affairs, delivers the joint statement on strengthening cooperation in education, scientific research, and international collaboration. Photo: LÝ NGUYÊN

---

Joint Statement of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM and Dong-A University

On June 20, 2025, in Busan, Republic of Korea, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong-A University signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking an important milestone in the internationalization process of both institutions, particularly in the fields of social sciences and humanities.

Based on the signed Memorandum of Understanding, the two universities agreed to establish and maintain the USSH-VNUHCM–Dong-A Presidents’ Forum as an annual strategic dialogue mechanism, to be held alternately in Vietnam and the Republic of Korea. The Forum aims to translate priority cooperation orientations into concrete actions and to promote bilateral cooperation in a deep, effective, and sustainable manner.

Key areas of cooperation include:

• Affirming the central role of university leadership in guiding and advancing cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and shared benefit;
• Expanding student exchanges, identifying and enhancing scholarship opportunities, and implementing international exchange, mobility, and experiential learning programs;
• Promoting cooperation in scientific research, scholar exchange, and the development of joint training programs, including 2+2 models, in areas of mutual strength;
• Strengthening engagement with local authorities and communities through training and capacity-building programs, and by linking research activities with practical societal needs.

Both universities reaffirm their strong commitment to the serious and effective implementation of the agreed cooperation contents, while enhancing information exchange and conducting regular evaluations to improve partnership outcomes. This Joint Statement reflects the firm determination of the two institutions’ leadership to further deepen their strategic partnership through cooperation in education, research, and international engagement.

Photos of the event:

LY NGUYEN

Translation by Khanh Linh