The second Joint Steering Committee meeting of the Phase 1 Partnership Project for the Institutional University Cooperation with Quy Nhon University (2022-2027)

ICT – On January 9, Quy Nhon University (QNU) in collaboration with KU Leuven – Kingdom of Belgium organized the second Joint Steering Committee meeting of the IUC-QNU Project Phase 1. The meeting aimed to evaluate the implementation progress of the entire project as well as each sub-project in the first year of Phase 1, thereby drawing valuable lessons and discussing plans for implementing projects for years to come.

The Flemish delegation came to the meeting with 9 members from some major universities in the Flanders region such as University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Ghent University, University of Antwerp and Hasselt University.

At the plenary session, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Do Ngoc My – Rector of QN, expressed his joy at welcoming all the Flemish and Vietnamese members of the IUC Project. The IUC-QNU Project, one of QNU’s important international cooperation projects, was officially launched in September, 2022 with the dual goals of sustainably improving the livelihoods and living conditions of the residents in the South Central Coast – Central Highlands region in Vietnam as well as enhancing the quality of QNU’s training, research and community service in the fields of agriculture, food, environment and renewable energy. “Although there are still a lot of obstacles and challenges, with the relevant parties’ strong commitment, the IUC – QNU Project will be implemented effectively and achieve its long-term goals”, he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Kristiaan Temst – Flemish Coordinator of the IUC-QNU Project thanked QNU and VLIR-UOS for their cooperation during the implementation of Phase 1 of the IUC – QNU Project. He also emphasized the important role of the project team members and graduate students within the framework of the IUC-QNU Project in developing research and serving the community.

With the participation of the members of the IUC-QNU project, local team leaders of 07 sub-projects presented the achieved results. Evaluating the activities in the first year, the reports clearly stated that, with close coordination between QNU and Flemish universities/colleges, the IUC – QNU Project had implemented many activities effectively, adding that the sub-projects on capacity building in university administration had effectively implemented many activities related to providing electronic services for students, e-learning, libraries, and building waste management systems and sustainable, safe laboratories. These reports also affirmed that many activities to improve research and training capacity had also been implemented successfully. Also, at this meeting, the participants discussed detailed plans for the sub-projects to be carried out in 2024.

At the management meeting, with the participation of all Flemish and Vietnamese sub-project leaders and the IUC Program Support Unit (PSU), had a detailed discussion on organizational and management issues to reach a consensus on well coordinating all activities of the IUC – QNU Project.

In addition, many other activities of the IUC-QNU Project and 07 sub-projects have also been implemented such as seminars, workshops, field trips at QNU and research sites for 7 days (January 8 – 14, 2024).