AsTW Program 2016 is held from March 4, 2016 to March 18, 2016 by VNU in collaboration with Kyushu University (Japan) with the participation of 33 students from Japan and the ASEAN member countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, VNU Vice President Nguyễn Hoàng Hải said that AsTW program promoted mutual understanding among the ASEAN countries and helped raise students’ awareness as well as equipped them with knowledge, understanding of the ASEAN’s issues to effectively contribute to the peace and prosperity of the ASEAN Community in particular and Asia in general.

At the ceremony, ASEAN Secretary-General Lê Lương Minh highly appreciated VNU’s hosting role in AsTW 2016. According to him, VNU is one of the 18 Vietnam’s central agencies participating in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar (ASCC). Therefore, VNU’s participation in the AsTW program will contribute to the affirming of its reputation, status and responsibility in implementing the activities in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directive.

On behalf of Kyushu University, Vice president Reiko Aoki said that AsTW, initiated by Kyushu University, had been organized in collaboration with Mahidol University (Thailand) from 2009 to 2011 and with Ateneo de Manila University (the Philippines) from 2012 to 2014. This two-week program with the participation of students from nations worldwide is a forum for students to share knowledge on the regional issues.

Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Vice Minister Lê Hoài Trung expressed his support for VNU and Kyushu University in organizing such a meaningful activity for students from the ASEAN+3 nations. He also said that as a representative of Vietnam, VNU’s hosting of AsTW 2016 would contribute to the enhancing of Vietnam’s international role and status aimed towards the building and developing of the country.

The AsTW 2016 participants are staying at VNU’s Mỹ Đình Dormitory. They are grouped for English, Japanese or Vietnamese classes​​ in the morning and for ASEAN-related knowledge classes such as Food and Environment Issues in Asia, Intercultural Communication in Asia and Current Issues in Asia, in the afternoon. The classes are delivered by faculty from Kyushu University, Fukuoka Women's University and VNU. In addition, the participants are to attend a special lecture on ASEAN delivered by a representative of the ASEAN Secretariat. Furthermore, culture exploring excursions to Hanoi surroundings, Mai Châu and Hạ Long are scheduled for the participants.

Held in the year when the ASEAN member nations have officially ushered in the era of a unified ASEAN Community, AsTW 2016 is even more meaningful.