TECO Representative Richard R. C. Shih (second left) and VECO Director Nguyen Anh Dung (second right) are joined by other officials in giving the thumbs-up to the sixth Taiwan-Vietnam Education Forum Dec. 21 in Hanoi. (Courtesy of MOE)
 

Taiwan-Vietnam Education Forum wrapped up Dec. 21 in Hanoi, underscoring the commitment of the government to expanding related exchanges and strengthening friendship with the New Southbound Policy target country.
 
Organized by the Ministry of Education, the five-day event attracted 218 representatives from 112 tertiary institutions. Discussions encompassed such topics as higher education reform, industry-academia collaboration, teaching quality enhancement and university autonomy.
 
During the forum, an agreement on mutual recognition of tertiary degrees and training program certificates was inked by Richard R. C. Shih, head of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, and Nguyen Anh Dung, director of Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.
 
The pact, which covers 168 Taiwan and 246 Vietnam institutions, was hailed by the MOE as another NSP milestone. Modeled on those in place between Vietnam and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, it is expected to create more opportunities for Taiwan to strengthen links with the intergovernmental organization.
 
Another highlight of the event, the MOE said, was the signing of 25 memorandums of understanding on academic cooperation between universities from both countries.
 
According to the ministry, the government will continue promoting Taiwan-Vietnam collaboration in core areas like talent cultivation and science research projects spanning agriculture, aquaculture and engineering.
 
The NSP is a key plank in the government’s national development strategy. It seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 ASEAN member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (YCH-E)