Accepting invitations from partner universities of the Kingdom of Belgium and the French Republic, from June 4 to 12, 2022, the delegation of Hanoi National University of Civil Engineering, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa - The Rector of the University and members of the delegation visited and worked at the University of Liege (Belgium), KU Leuven University (Belgium), Paris Bridge and Bridge University (France) and University School of Public Transport Paris (France). This is the first overseas business trip of the University after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 epidemic, with the goal of promoting international cooperation activities in the coming time.

At the University of Liege, on June 7, 2022, Prof. J. Winnard - Permanent Vice Rector and leaders of Faculty of Applied Science, Faculty of Research, Institute of Non-Metallic Civil Building Materials (ArGEnCo), Institute of Urban Environmental Engineering and full-time staff respectfully welcomed the delegation of HUCE. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation programs currently being implemented. On that basis, the leaders of the two universities conducted a Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony to promote cooperation activities in training and research; establish research groups to write proposals for funds such as: ARES, Wallonie Bruxelle, Erasmus in the coming period.

Pic 1 Photo taken at Liege . school

Following the activities to promote cooperation in the Kingdom of Belgium, within the framework of a business trip to Europe, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa and the delegation of NUCE visited and worked at KU Leuven University. This is a University with a history of nearly 600 years, ranked 42nd in the world in 2022 by Times Higher Education and rated by Reuters as Europe's leading university for innovation and creativity in 2019.

During the meeting, the two sides summarized cooperation activities in training and research. Currently, there are 03 international projects being implemented and many proposals have been jointly developed by the research groups between the two universities and sent to the International Research Funds. Besides, many lecturers of NUCE have been researching and studying at KU Leuven.

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa emphasized the importance of international projects and collaboration between an experienced research team from KU Leuven University and a young and dynamic research group from HUCE aiming at solving pre-existing problems related to the field of construction and architecture in both Vietnam and Belgium.

On that basis, the two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation activities by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU emphasizes cooperation in research and training of PhD students within the framework of the Advanced Project to improve capacity of lecturers and managers of higher education institutions to meet the requirements of fundamental and comprehensive renovation of education in training in the period of 2019-2030 approved in Decision 89/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as Project 89).

Pic 2 Photo taken at KU Leuven

On June 9, 2022, the delegation of HUCE visited and worked with the Paris School of Bridge and Road (ENPC). Mrs. Sophie Mougard - Principal of ENPC and experts from the school welcomed the delegation of HUCE. At the meeting, the two sides summarized cooperation activities, in which the highlight was high-quality engineer training programs (Infrastructure industry, and new industry Materiaux de construction - Building materials industry). The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation activities in research and training, towards the signing of a training cooperation agreement under the Project on Capacity Building of lecturers and managers of higher educational institutions to meet the requirements of fundamental and comprehensive renovation of education in training for the period of 2019-2030 approved in Decision 89/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as Project 89). In addition to exchange and cooperation activities, the Delegation visited and explored facilities, lab, library and met HUCE alumni of different generations who have been studying and working at Paris Bridge and Road university.

Pic 3 Photo taken at Paris Bridge School - ENPC

At the end of the business visit to partner universities in Europe, on the afternoon of June 10, 2022, the delegation of Hanoi University of Science and Technology visited and worked with the Paris School of Public Transport (ESTP Paris). At the meeting, the two sides summarized cooperation activities, emphasizing the student exchange program and dual degree training. Every year, HUCE receives 3-5 ESTP students to conduct a 1-term exchange program, as well as 2-3 HUCE students to study at ESTP under a dual-degree program, among them are students awarded Eiffel Scholarship. Up to now, there have been about 40 students from each school conducting student exchange programs, as well as dual degree programs at partner schools. The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation activities by signing a new memorandum of understanding between the two universities.

Pic 4 Photo taken at ESTP Paris

The visit and working session at the European partner schools of the leaders of Hanoi National University of Civil Engineering was a great success. The visit was marked by concrete and in-depth cooperation in the fields of training and scientific research as well as the strong commitment of the University to participate in international research projects and strengthen the capacity of member universities.