On of April 2, 2025, as part of the events organized under the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) by the Institute of International Education (IIE), a delegation of leaders from 21 universities in the United States (the IAPP Delegation) visited and held a working session with Thuyloi University.
This visit was one of the key activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025). It aimed to strengthen connections between higher education institutions in both countries and promote collaboration in training, scientific research, and sustainable development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice President of Thuyloi University, along with leaders of various faculties and departments, hosted the delegation. In his opening remarks, the Vice President expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, the Southeast Asia IAPP Program, and the delegation for taking the time to work with the university. He also provided an overview of Thuyloi University’s history, vision, and internationalization goals.
“As one of the leading institutions in engineering, especially in water resources engineering, Thuyloi University places strong emphasis on expanding international cooperation to enhance the quality of education and research,” the Vice President noted.
The representative of the US Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Adam Brock, a diplomatic officer, thanked the University for organizing a solemn reception for the Delegation and wished to serve as a bridge connecting U.S. educational institutions with Vietnamese partners.
Dr. Jonathan Lembright, Southeast Asia Regional Director of IIE, expressed his deep impression with the university’s achievements and capabilities. He reaffirmed IIE’s commitment to supporting Thuyloi University in connecting with U.S. partners and developing in-depth, practical, and effective academic cooperation programs.
The IAPP delegation's visit aimed to better understand Vietnam's higher education system and explore opportunities for collaboration, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), technology, science, and healthcare, etc.
Currently, the United States is the destination of more than one million international students, of which more than 30,000 Vietnamese students are studying, ranking 5th in the number of international students in the US. Strengthening the connection between the two countries' leading universities will create a solid foundation for expanding learning, research and teaching opportunities for students and lecturers in both Vietnam and the United States. (According to the People's Army Newspaper)
During the session, representatives from U.S. universities introduced the IAPP 2025 Program, which is designed as a strategic bridge to enhance ties between Vietnamese and American universities. Through this program, institutions are supported in building specific, practical cooperation plans aimed at long-term sustainable development. Representatives from Thuyloi University and the IAPP delegation discussed strategic cooperation directions moving forward. Both parties agreed that educational and scientific research cooperation between leading institutions from Vietnam and the U.S. would promote international integration and improve the quality of global human resources.
Discussions focused on developing joint training programs based on the 2+2 and 3+1 models, giving students opportunities for exchange and collaborative activities. Both sides also emphasized the need to strengthen English-taught programs at Thuyloi University to improve students’ language proficiency and international integration. They expressed interest in developing academic exchange programs for both students and faculty—short- and long-term—toward building a multinational network of experts and scholars working together in teaching, research, and technology transfer.
Priority areas include water resources, environment, engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainable development. Additionally, the issue of improving water quality in mountainous and underprivileged areas—a current challenge in Vietnam—was raised and received strong interest from the U.S. delegates.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Mai Dang, Director of the School of International Education, expressed his hope for strong support from U.S. partners in organizing interactive, high-application learning programs. He also proposed collaboration in English language training, scientific conferences, cultural exchange programs, and teaching capacity development for faculty members.
After the discussion, the Delegation visited the laboratory system of Thuyloi University. The delegation visited the ACROSS Center of Excellence, the Chemical Engineering Laboratory, the Biotechnology Laboratory and the Integrated Hydraulic Laboratory to discuss with researchers on simulation and analysis of flow phenomena, serving the research and design of hydraulic works.
At the end of the visit and work with Thuyloi University, the delegates had to express their goodwill to continue to maintain connections, jointly develop cooperation plans, through specific programs and projects in the coming time. The visit of the US Higher Education Delegation contributed to expanding the international partnership network of Thuyloi University, strengthening the educational cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the United States to become increasingly deeper and more sustainable.
Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation
Photos: Department of Political and Student Affairs