Assoc.Prof.Dr.Nguyen Quang Linh, President of Hue University, delivering opening remark at the VLIR-IUC Joint Steering Committee Meeting

VLIR-IUC program was initiated in June 2013, including the following projects: Institutional Strengthening; Develop and improve sustainable aquaculture and livestock production with comprehensive solutions for environmental pollution; Protection of Ecosystems and natural resources against economic development; Strengthening training and services at the grassroots level to improve Rural health care, pilot subprojects in the Central Vietnam. 

Evaluating 6 year operation of phase 1, capacity building phase, it is emphasized in the project report that the objectives of the project have been achieved, consistent with the overall strategy of Hue University, of VLIR-UOS and of the local government. VLIR-IUC has been involved in a number of projects such as Lotus, MOET 911, NutriSEA, Asian-EU-SHARE, and VLIR-NSS in enhancing the capacity of higher education institutions of Hue University. With the projects 2 and 3, six students were sent to do their PhD in the field of sustainable environmental development. Initial achievements have been made in the application of e-learning. At Hue University level, the program has helped improve the quality of training, research, innovation and university governance.

The two sides highly valued the achievements of the first phase and reached agreement on the changes in the second phase of the project. It is expected that the second phase will last for 4 years (2019 - 2022), focusing on consolidating and valorising the achievements of phase 1 on the principle of shifting from a focus on investments to a focus on training of personnel and joint research; Extension of on-campus results at broader level link with country strategy; sustainability including income generating activities and spin-offs.

During the two days, the Joint Steering Committee made recommendations based on the results of the projects, assessment of the achievements and shortcomings for the changes to the second phase of the Program.