On the afternoon of April 19, Thuyloi University cooperated with the Vietnam - Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association to organize a program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands.
Representative of the Organizer welcomes the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam
The program was attended by Mr. Kees van Baar, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam; representatives of ministries, agencies, research institutions and alumni.
In his opening remarks, President of Thuyloi University Trinh Minh Thu stressed that over 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam has received great support and technical assistance from The Netherlands in the field of water resources, disater prevention and control. Thu said the long-lasting and close cooperation between Thuyloi University and TU Delft is a good example that Vietnamese and Dutch partners are actively working together to implement meaningful projects to the communities in the vulnerable coastal areas like the Mekong Delta.
At the workshop, Vietnamese and Dutch scholars, engineers exchanged technical solutions to protect the coastal areas, demonstrating further cooperation to tackle emerging environmental issues.
Director and Cimate change expert of Climate SenSe company Koos Neefjes (from Netherlands, based in Vietnam) stated that water resource management and sustainable development in the the Mekong Delta area, a common interest of Vietnam and the Netherlands, are in need of community-base solutions and and planning with clear impacts for better local living habitats.
From the Vietnamese side, Assoc.Prof.Le Hai Trung from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Thuyloi University, presented about the milestones of sea dyke development in Northern area of Vietnam.
Trung stressed that, from 2006-2012, Vietnam's sea dyke system in North and Central Vietnam was significantly improved thanks to the technical assistance from the Netherlands.
Prof. Marcel Stive, Emeritus Professor of TU Delft, emphasized that research and projects on water resource management and disaster prevention from Vietnam's coastal areas are also valuable lessons for the Netherlands, and other coastal countries worldwide.
Overview of the Workshop
Concluding the workshop, the representatives of Vietnam and the Netherlands affirmed the need to continue to cooperate regularly and in research and training to protect Vietnam's coast, actively contribute to the sustainable economic and social development of Vietnam as well as the good diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The wokshop was followed by the ceremony to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam- the Netherlands diplomatic relation.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam Kees van Baar delivered a speech at the ceremony, sharing about the importance of raising awareness and communication for better cooperation between the two countries across all fields.
He emphasized that in water resources management, disaster and climate change control and preventions, academic institutions, as well as businesses, organizations and individuals, need to focus on the implementation the results of researches to benefit the people of both countries.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam Kees van Baar
The Dutch diplomant also affirmed that the Embassy will actively coordinate with Vietnamese partners to host more meaningful actitivies such as seminar, workshop and cultural exchange.
Representing the host, President of the Vietnam-Netherlands Frienship and Cooperation Association Dao Xuan Hoc said that this year is also the 10th founding anniversary of the Association. In 2023, there will be many activities to not only celebrate the special occasion but also contribute to enhancing understanding, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese and Dutch people.
Ms. Marjan Krejins, Head of Project Management Department of of TU Delft, stated that the two countries has gained many achievements together thanks to the cooperation at all levels, from management to scientists. There is a young generation of students, engineer, researchers, who will strengthen the cooperation with the valuable sources from both Netherland and Vietnam, said the Dutch professor, and will enhance the partnership and friendship between people of the two countries.
Group photo