On the 8th of May, 2019, VNU University of Science (VNU-HUS) and the Sustainability Alliance of Urban Networks in Asian Cities (SAUNAC) co-organized the "International workshop on the involvement of higher education institutions and stakeholders in smart sustainable city development” at 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi.
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Overview of the Workshop
Assoc. Prof. Sc.Dr. Vu Hoang Linh - Vice Rector was joined by leaders of faculties and functional offices to represent VNU-HUS at the workshop. Also in attendance were representatives from the European Union Delegation in Vietnam, the Embassies of Spain, Finland, the Netherlands and representatives from universities at home and abroad.
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The Workshop attracted hundreds of scientists, managers and businesses from Vietnam and abroad
SAUNAC is the Erasmus + capacity building project funded by the European Union to provide Vietnamese universities and stakeholders with tools to innovate educational methods in Vietnam. The project includes five University partners from European countries including Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as six Vietnamese universities from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh - Vice Rector of VNU-HUS delivers his speech
Speaking at the opening of the Workshop, Assoc. Prof. Sc. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh - Vice Rector emphasized that "VNU-HUS is looking forward to combining basic science research with applied science, and the theme of the workshop is consistent with the training strategy of the university. In the past two years, there have been collaborations between 11 universities in Vietnam and the EU, enhancing the quality of training and connecting schools with businesses in the field of building smart and sustainable cities”.
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Mr. Tom Corrie - Deputy Head of Cooperation - European Union Delegation in Vietnam said
At the seminar, Mr. Tom Corrie, the Deputy Head of Cooperation for the European Union Delegation in Vietnam, affirmed that "Higher education is a top priority for both Europe and the Vietnamese government". Mr. Corrie emphasized that the purpose of the Erasmus + projects is to modernize and reform higher education institutions, to develop new curricula, improve governance and to develop relationships between higher education institutions and businesses.
Capacity building projects in higher education for Asian countries is 27% of the annual global budget. Vietnam has participated in 51 projects to date, all implemented by European and Vietnamese universities.
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Project manager Henna Knuutila introduced the achievements of SAUNAC project.
The SAUNAC project believes that students can design solutions to environmental challenges in major cities as part of their research. Project manager Henna Knuutila pointed out that new cooperation between universities, businesses and public agencies has provided valuable learning opportunities for students.
Ms. Knuutila noted that “In the long term, SAUNAC Project participants will form sustainable alliances. This trend will not only take place between universities in Vietnam, but also between universities and businesses in the region, nationally, and internationally.
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As part of the framework of the seminar, representatives of the various stakeholders discussed how higher education institutions can cooperate to develop sustainable smart cities in Vietnam. In addition, the workshop generated solutions, especially for promoting cooperation between businesses and universities. New cooperation agreements between universities and between Vietnamese and European enterprises were also signed during and following the seminar.
Contact:
- Project information: https://www.saunac.eu/
- Project management: Knuutila Henna, Email: henna.knuutila@turkuamk.fi
- Project coordinator: Vu Van Manh, Email: vuvanmanh@hus.edu.vn