On September 09, 2016, Vietnam Japan University (VJU) – Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNUHN) held a solemn opening ceremony for the university and new school year 2016 – 2017. The ceremony marks the official inaugural of VJU. It launches the first training activities after 02 years of preparation with the endorsement of the two Governments, Vietnam and Japan, and dedicated supports of VNUHN, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and 13 Japanese partner universities.
The opening ceremony of the university and school year 2016 – 2017
Over 400 guests and speakers attended the workshop, including representatives from the Governments, Ministries, and local authorities of the two countries Vietnam and Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, VNUHN, Japanese partner universities, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), scientists, education experts, businesses, the media of Vietnam and Japan, etc. and particularly, the leadership, faculty, and students of VJU.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo, VJU’s Rector, conveyed his warm greetings and congratulations to the university’s first cohort of Master students. Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo emphasized that “VJU is a symbol of the “comprehensive strategic partnership” between Vietnam and Japan.”
Looking back at history, Prof. Furuta recalled the Dong Du movement initiated by the patriot Phan Boi Chau in the early 20th century, aiming to train Vietnamese students in Japan to become future leaders. VJU has inherited this philosophy and seeks to become a “Dong Du movement” of the 21st century. Addressing the students, Prof. Furuta reminded them not to fit into the “VJU model.” Instead, each individual should view themselves as the VJU. In this way, each student forms themselves as an innovation agent, creating the university’s diversity and contributing to the new chapter of Vietnam and the world.
Addressing the ceremony, VNUHN’s President Nguyen Kim Son asserted that VJU’s establishment is a significant event to government agencies, partner universities, businesses, other organizations of the two countries, and especially the faculty, management, staff, and the first student intake of VJU. President Nguyen Kim Son also mentioned the theme of the opening symposium of “Sustainable Development” held on September 8, 2016. This is the mainstream scientific topic, action plan, and education philosophy of the VJU. With the strong support from the two governments, President Nguyen Kim Son believes VJU is heading towards a sustainable future.
Photo: Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, the secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): VJU is expected to reach a world-class institution and provide high-quality human resources for Vietnam and Japan.
Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, shared the joy with VJU and the first student intake. He said VJU is expected to reach a world-class institution and provide high-quality human resources for Vietnam and Japan. Such expectation has partly been realized in today’s opening ceremony. Mr. Toshihiro also asserted Japan would continue to support VJU throughout the upcoming development phases. However, students need to do their best to meet the expectations of the two Governments.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha also expressed his pleasure to attend VJU’s opening ceremony. Understanding the difficulties that the university has undergone and being delighted with the school’s achievements, the Minister appreciated the support from government agencies, universities, and organizations of Japan. The Minister also suggested that Vietnam National University, Hanoi, should continue to work with the Japanese and Vietnamese agencies to gradually overcome initial difficulties due to inadequate facilities faced by VJU.
On behalf of the Japanese Government, Mr. Higuchi Naoya, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, conveyed his congratulations to the first student intake of VJU. Mr. Higuchi Naoya hopes that after the university’s training and research process, the students will become talents of Vietnam and the world, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between Vietnam and Japan, creating the base to promote future economic cooperation.
Mr. Takebe Tsutomu, former chairman of the Japan – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, said Vietnam and Japan are jointly steering a ship, namely VJU. If either of the two parties stops, the ship cannot move forward, and hence, both need to collaborate closely to bring the ship to the desired destination. The decision to start with Master’s programs is based on a well-justified and differentiated rationale. Short training duration will help students better envisage their future beyond graduation and create momentum for the next VJU students.
On behalf of 72 students of the first master intake, Nguyen Manh Tung, enrolled in the Master’s Program in Infrastructure Engineering, said that amidst the globalization era, young generations wish to be equipped with not only basic science knowledge but also innovative mindset and adaptability to the future society. After the orientation week, he affirmed that taking a master’s program at VJU is the right choice.
In closing the ceremony, VJU’s Rector Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo gave the opening drum beat to officially launch a promising chapter for the Vietnam Japan University – an enduring symbol of Vietnam – Japan Friendship.
Vietnam Japan University – The 7th member of Vietnam National University, Hanoi
VJU, the 7th member of VNUHN, was founded on July 21, 2014, under a decision signed by the Prime Minister aiming at becoming a world class university. VJU is expected to provide new impetus to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, adding value to Japanese enterprises’ investment in Vietnam. VJU also has enormous potential to become the center of cultural and academic exchanges, serving as a symbol of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
In 2016, VJU was offering the first 6 Master’s programs in high technology and interdisciplinary sciences, namely Nanotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering, Area Studies, Public Policy, and Business Administration.
VJU’s mission is to
• provide human resources and scientific and technological products of high quality; receive transfers of knowledge from Japan
• promote cooperative relations between Vietnam and Japan,
• make positive impacts on the higher education system of VNUHN in particular, and Vietnam’s higher education in general. To realize such a mission, VJU aims at a new model, built upon Japanese format with appropriate adjustment to Vietnam’s context. VJU is developed based on financial and training autonomy and linkages between the university and businesses, and talents from different corners of the world.
The differentiation is reflected in the continuity and linkage with other universities in VNU-HN and the international edge with Japanese partners’ intensive engagement. The university has a high level of autonomy under the organization and operation regulations issued by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. The university expects to establish a Council comprised of dedicated and prestigious individuals of Vietnam and Japan. The University’s Council has a crucial role in driving development, mobilizing resources, and deciding upon the university’s essential matters.
With the strong support of the Vietnamese and Japanese governments, intensive cooperation of VNUHN and Japan’s leading universities, and backed by decent quality assurance conditions and international environment, VJU will host scientists and talented students to work, study and innovate to their full potential.
Some photos of the ceremony:
