Originally a regional research facility established in 1996 at Khon Kaen University under an agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Thailand, by 2006 the Institute of Mekong (MI) was transformed into an intergovernmental organization It is sponsored by the six GMS countries of Cambodia, China (Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The operational objective of MI is through human resource development and capacity building to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development, poverty reduction in GMS countries and to promote GMS regional co-operation and integration. The MI Council consists of representatives of member countries, academic institutions, businesses and partners outside the region. Hue University and Khon Kaen University are the two academic representatives in the MI Council.

The activities of MI are quite diverse including funding projects and programs in various fields; offering capacity building courses and workshops; providing policy consultation; And especially organizing Mekong Forums (so far 5 forums in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017). In addition to participating in annual activities and forums, Hue University has participated in the activities of the project "Regional and Local Economic Development - East West Economic Corridor" (RLED-EWEC) implemented in Quang Tri, sent lecturers of Quang Tri Branch of Hue University to participate in the training course on sustainable energy for rural areas, etc. 

The MI Council meeting was to approve the reports of the MI Steering Committee including the report of the activities of the first half of 2017, the action plan of the second half of 2017, the financial audits of 2016 and the proposed budget allocation for 2017. The MI Council also endorsed the end of chairmanship of Myanmar (8/2015-7/2017) and the beginning of the next chairmanship of Thailand (8/2017 - 8/2019). Speaking at the meeting, HU President Nguyen Quang Linh expressed his commitment to MI as a member of MI Council and proposed some cooperation initiatives within the framework of MI, including establish relationships, academic exchanges and cooperation in training between Hue University and the universities in the East-West Economic Corridor such as Khon Kaen University, National University of Laos, etc.

With the theme "New geo-economics: reshaping the future of the GMS?", the Mekong Forum 2017 gathered more than 200 participants, including development specialists, senior policy makers, businessmen and civil society organizations leaders, and scholars to share lessons learned on geo-economics and how it shapes and influences society. After the speeches of famous speakers like Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, former Minister of Commerce and Minister of Energy of Thailand; Dr. Datuk Manickam Suppermaniam, former Malaysian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, the forum was organized into 3 thematic sessions, including: Dynamics of Geopolitics and Geo-economics: Past, Present and Future; Re-assessing Impacts on Development Cooperation in the GMS; and Re-adjusting Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Strategies for the GMS. It was agreed in speeches and discussions at the Forum to further strengthen the cooperative efforts of both the public and private sectors to make GMS a global investment and trade attraction, then promote regional integration and sustainable growth for all of its members. Some representatives emphasized that strengthening regional ties and avoiding conflicts will contribute significantly to the development of the region. The delegates also confirmed the important role that MI played in ensuring that members of the GMS be linked to each other and to the rest of the world and enabling countries to support each other to raise public awareness for security and prosperity.

In the framework of the events, Hue University delegation also had meetings, exchanged opinions and established connections with some international universities, enterprises and organizations, including Khon Kaen University, National University of Laos, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), PLAN Asia, etc.

Hue University delegation at MI Council Meeting

Hue University President with other members of MI Council

Hue University President giving present to Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Executive Director of Mekong Institute (MI).

Writer and Dr. Ongath Vongsay from Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand 

Writer: Phạm Khắc Liệu

Translated into English by Thanh Huong