The University of Sydney and its Vietnam Institute are looking to further collaborate with Hanoi on scientific research, the university's Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Mark Scott, said today (June 21).

Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha meeting with Mark Scott, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, on June 21. Photo: The Hanoi Times

At the meeting with Hanoi People's Committee Deputy Chairwoman Vu Thu Ha, Scott said the university is one of the top 20 in the world, has the largest campus, and is among the most internationalized.

He said the University of Sydney has established strong partnerships with Vietnamese counterparts for scientific studies and research, especially in agriculture, economics, technology, and information and communication.

Recently, the university opened the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, the principal said, adding that this is the first institute of the university established in a foreign country.

He stressed that the Institute will focus on building partnerships with the Vietnamese government, local agencies, and enterprises and contribute to the development of Vietnam-Australia relations.

Nguyen Thu Anh, the institute's Executive Director, said the institute opened an office in Hanoi on June 20 and signed cooperation agreements with several local partners.

"As a social enterprise, the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute is committed to putting our research into practice and serving the Vietnamese community," said Anh, adding, "We have partnered with Bach Mai Hospital and Hanoi Lung Hospital to conduct scientific research in the field of healthcare."

Deputy Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha, for her part, praised the university's achievements and appreciated that the university has set up its institute office in Hanoi.

She hoped that the institute would help promote relations between Hanoi and the University of Sydney in the fields of healthcare, cultural industries, and education and training.

Ha said Hanoi has been working to develop and improve the health sector. She hoped that the two sides would soon initiate and carry out joint projects.

Regarding the cultural industry as a high-potential economic sector in the city, the Deputy Chairwoman said that Hanoi needs strong support to preserve and promote cultural values. She suggested that the University of Sydney should help the capital in this matter.

Ha said Sydney is a popular study destination for Hanoi students. Therefore, she recommended that the University of Sydney start educational programs to meet the growing demand.

In return, Principal Mark Scott promised to study Hanoi's policies and develop appropriate programs for both sides. He also addressed Hanoi as a promising metropolis and expected the city and the university to build an all-round win-win partnership.