At the invitation of partner universities in China, a delegation led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of National Economics University (NEU), visited and met with universities and partners there from October 12 to 17, 2024.

The delegation also included Prof. Dr. Do Thi Hai Ha, Rector of the College of Economics and Public Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; Dr. Vu Van Ngoc, Dean of the School of Advanced Education Programs; and faculty and staff of the University.

On its first working day, the delegation visited and met with representatives of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Welcoming and meeting with the delegation were Ho Chi Cuong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee; Hoa Tinh, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; Ly Xuan Le, Secretary of the Party cell of the International Business School; and Tong Trach Ninh, Vice Dean of the International Business School.

The delegation visits and meets with representatives of Beijing Foreign Studies University

At the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation programs currently being implemented between the two universities. Although their partnership is new, the universities have undertaken concrete cooperative activities in recent years, including hosting exchange students, strengthening academic exchanges, and organizing workshops. Building on these tangible outcomes, Beijing Foreign Studies University agreed to increase the number of NEU exchange students it accepts to three students per year in the coming years.

An overview of the meeting between the two universities

The delegation then held a separate meeting with the International Business School at Beijing Foreign Studies University. The School’s leaders expressed their pleasure at the efforts both sides had made recently to advance their partnership. At the meeting, the parties agreed to continue implementing cooperation programs, including summer and winter student exchanges; student exchanges with credit recognition; lecturer exchanges; and sending students to pursue master’s degrees in China with corporate scholarships.

In the following days, the delegation met with representatives of the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing. Welcoming the delegation were Tran Ban Khai, Vice President of the Central University of Finance and Economics; Cat Kien Tan, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; and Truong Thanh Han, Head of the Department of Student Affairs.

In 2018, NEU and the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the two universities. Their cooperation has included training three doctoral graduates for NEU and numerous academic exchanges. Building on this long-standing partnership, in 2024 the two sides agreed to sign another MOU to open up new avenues for cooperation and advance the implementation of both institutions’ strategies amid increasingly extensive international integration.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, and Tran Ban Khai, Vice President of the Central University of Finance and Economics, exchange the new memorandum of understanding on cooperation

At the meeting, the two sides also acknowledged the contributions made to date to promoting cooperation between the two universities in general, as well as the close friendship and neighborly relations between Vietnam and China.

In 2024, Vietnam and China established a new “positioning” for their bilateral relationship, continuing to deepen and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. This marks a new development in China–Vietnam relations in general and relations between universities in Vietnam and China in particular, with a view to further promoting cooperation, mutual understanding, and cultural exchange. Accordingly, new areas of cooperation were discussed and agreed upon, including organizing COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) activities to help students from both countries better understand cooperation and investment between the two countries’ business communities. The two sides also discussed the possibility of jointly arranging for students from both countries to participate in CASE COMPETITION, as well as exchanging lecturers between the two universities and continuing scientific research cooperation.

An overview of the meeting with the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing

In Shanghai, the delegation met with representatives of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. Welcoming and meeting with the delegation were Dao Linh Tran, Vice President of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Dong Tinh, Dean of the School of International Cultural Exchange; Tham Huy, Dean of the Faculty of International Education; Ton Ky, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; and Duong Huu Tri, Deputy Head of the Department of International Cooperation.

An overview of the meeting

At the meeting, the two sides discussed activities related to cooperation in education, student exchanges, scientific research, and lecturer training. These included hosting groups of master’s students in Vietnam for Field trips; student exchanges with credit recognition; scientific research cooperation; and joint training programs.

Leaders of the two universities pose for a commemorative photo

The delegation also visited the history museum of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and learned more about the university’s establishment and development. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and NEU both have long-standing traditions and are leading universities in economics and business administration. This common ground provides a basis for the two universities to pursue more new cooperative projects in the future.

The delegation visits the history museum of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

The delegation’s visit concluded successfully, further opening a new phase of development for international cooperation with partners in China and bringing the University closer to its goal of becoming a research-oriented university that meets regional and international standards.

Article and photos: The delegation & Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.