March 28, 2023
On March 27, 2023, a partnership meeting took place between officials from Tra Vinh University (TVU) in Vietnam and Samar State University (SSU) at 3rd floor Convention Center. Delegates from Vietnam include Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Thanh Tung – TVU Vice Rector, Dr. Phung Van De – Director of International Education Institute, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Khanh – Head of International Collaboration Office, Dr. Chau Thi Hoang Hoa – Vice Head of International Collaboration Office, and Dr. Tieu Thanh Thuy – Director of Center of Learning Resources and Innovation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss potential collaborations between the two universities and to explore ways in which they could work together to promote international education and exchange opportunities.
The meeting began with opening remarks by the SSU University President Dr. Marilyn Cardoso. She was honored and grateful for the visit of Tra Vinh University Officials all the way from Vietnam, which according to her “symbolic and inspiring”. “The coming reflects their commitment to their inclusive collaboration”, stated Dr. Cardoso.
It was followed by the presentation of participants and rationale of the partnership meeting by the SSU Director for International Affairs Dr. Elmer Irene who provided an overview of the university, as well as the plans for internationalization. He briefly discussed the current efforts to build strong relationships with universities in other countries, as well as the plans to create a global network of universities that could provide students with educational and research opportunities around the world.
After the presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Thanh Tung, the Vice Rector of Tra Vinh University showed his appreciation for the warmest welcome of Samar State University to him and the party. In his short message, he provided an overview of the TVU’s history, academic programs, and research initiatives. He also discussed the potential areas of collaboration between the two universities, such as student exchange programs, faculty and staff exchanges, joint research projects, and internships.
The SSU and TVU officials from both universities then engaged in a discussion about the three (3) Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) formed between the two institutions. The MOA on International Poverty Conference, Faculty Exchange, and Library Linkages. They discussed the benefits that could be gained from such partnerships, such as increased international academic collaborations, increased faculty mobility, library resource sharing and library staff exchange and mobility for professional development, and increased opportunities for research and development.
The representatives from both universities, SSU University President Dr. Marilyn Cardoso and TVU Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Thanh Tung then concluded the meeting by signing the documents in the presence of each party’s signing officials and witnesses. The two institutions sealed their partnership and expressed their enthusiasm for the potential collaborations that could be formed between their two universities, and agreed to begin exploring the possibilities in the near future. They also agreed to meet again in the future to discuss further developments and to continue to develop their relationship.
The partnership meeting between Tra Vinh University and Samar State University was a successful one, as both institutions showed a strong desire to work together to promote international education and exchange opportunities. This meeting serves as an important step towards the development of a global network of universities that could provide students with educational and research opportunities around the world.
