This is one of the activities for promoting extensive cooperation between VNU and Chinese universities as well as learning about China’s experience of building international education zones in order to apply to the building of VNU’s international education zone in Hòa Lạc.

VNU President Phùng Xuân Nhạ and President Hu Jun

at the Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony between VNU and Tế Nam University

In particular, the delegation paid a working visit to the Management Board of Suzhou International Education and Innovation District known as the "Knowledge Center of the East". Suzhou International Education and Innovation District is an applied research center, including four functional areas: the university area, biological area, innovative industrial and comprehensive education development area, research and business area. Currently, there is the presence of 22 leading international universities of the UK, France, USA, and Singapore with nearly 80,000 students and faculty.

After the working session with the Management Board of Suzhou International Education and Innovation District, VNU’s delegation visited two institutions currently operating in the District: Xi'an Transportation-Liverpool University, a cooperation between the University of Liverpool (UK) and Xi'an Transportation University (China), and the National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, to explore the experience of building and operating the international education zone.

During its working visit in China, VNU’s delegation met with the leaders of several major universities such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Macau, Jinan University and Zhongshan University.

The meetings’ discussions were focused on the strengthening of cooperation in training, scientific research, staff and students exchange and the forming of a Chinese Studies network. Specifically, VNU signed a cooperation framework agreement with Jinan University following its delegation’s visit to VNU this March. VNU also discussed and proposed to promote cooperation between VNU University of Engineering and Technology Center for Field Supervision Technology Integration and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Institute of Space and Earth Information Science; and cooperation in the fields of tourism and social work with Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

VNU’s delegation at University of Macau (Photo: Quang Huy) 

During its working trip, VNU’s delegation was strongly supported by Sunwah Group, Hong Kong. VNU and Sunwah Group signed a cooperation agreement in 2013, focusing on high quality human resources training and high-level scientific research; developing and internationalizing joint national training programs and joint research projects in the fields of common interest; developing scholarship and student exchange programs; mutually supporting and together implementing the VNU Project in Hòa Lạc; implementing and supporting cultural exchange programs. This February, Sunwah Group presented VNU University of Languages and International Studies with a building called ULIS-Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center located on VNU’s main campus.