Undergraduate As part of the ongoing working program of the Vietnamese aquaculture delegation in the Netherlands, from August 31 to September 4, 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh - President of Can Tho University (CTU), and the delegation held working sessions with three Dutch higher education universities: Wageningen University & Research, Delft University of Technology, and the University of Groningen.
During the working sessions, the parties reviewed the outcomes of their cooperation to date and discussed opportunities to further expand and strengthen strategic partnerships, with a focus on core technologies supporting the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta and aligned with CTU’s strengths as a multidisciplinary and multi-field university. With an extensive network of universities, research institutions, and international partners, CTU seeks to develop long-term, high-value collaborations that benefit both the University and the region.
Can Tho University and Wageningen University & Research: More Than 30 Years of Cooperation, Connecting Strengths in Research and Education
On September 2, 2026, the CTU delegation continued its working program with Wageningen University & Research (WUR) - one of the world’s leading institutions in education and research in agriculture, food, and the environment. At the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh met with Prof. Dr. Carolien Kroeze - Vice President and Rector of Wageningen University, to review the long-standing cooperation between the two universities and discuss directions for expanding and strengthening their strategic partnership in the new period.
The partnership between CTU and Wageningen University & Research has spanned more than 30 years, dating back to the 1990s, with notable support through the Netherlands Programme for the Institutional Strengthening of Post-secondary Education and Training Capacity (MHO). The program provided important support for CTU in human resource training, strengthening research capacity, and enhancing academic cooperation. Over the years, the partnership has contributed to efforts toward sustainable development in the Mekong Delta, the region, and beyond.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh - President of CTU (right) presented a token of appreciation to Prof. Dr. Carolien Kroeze - Vice President and Rector of Wageningen University & Research (left), in recognition of 30 years of cooperation
CTU delegation and the leadership of Wageningen University & Research
Building on these achievements, the two universities discussed new areas of cooperation in climate change adaptation and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, crop science, natural resource management, and food-chain systems. Particular attention was given to developing industry clusters that connect research, production, processing, consumption, and innovation in the food sector, linking the Mekong Delta with international networks and markets.
The CTU delegation continued its working program, visit, and discussions with Wageningen University & Research on September 2, 2026
The two universities also explored opportunities to strengthen human resource development through high-quality training, joint research, expert and student exchange, research-group collaboration, and the transfer of applied science and technology. These efforts are expected to further connect the complementary strengths of the two institutions and generate practical value for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.
Can Tho University and Delft University of Technology: Expanding Cooperation in Innovation and Strategic Technology Human Resource Development
On September 3, 2026, the CTU delegation held a working session with Delft University of Technology, one of Europe’s leading technical universities, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in research, innovation, sustainable development, and high-quality human resource development.
The delegation met with representatives of Delft University of Technology and Ms. Marjan Kreijns - Director of The Green Village, a living lab developed under Delft University of Technology. The parties discussed the operation, functions, and value of the living lab model in connecting universities with businesses, regulatory agencies, and communities, thereby creating an environment where technological solutions can be tested, evaluated, and refined under real-world conditions before being deployed on a wider scale.
CTU delegation held a working session at Delft University of Technology on September 3, 2026
The Green Village serves as a real-world testing environment where technologies and solutions aimed at sustainable development are implemented and evaluated under actual conditions. For CTU, the experience of The Green Village offers valuable lessons and potential approaches for further study and adaptation to the context of the Mekong Delta, a region increasingly affected by climate change, sea-level rise, riverbank erosion, natural resource degradation, and new demands for a transition toward sustainable development.
On this basis, the two sides discussed in particular the potential to connect Delft University of Technology with CTU, as well as with research institutes, universities, and local authorities in Vietnam, to conduct research, testing, and evaluation of technologies and solutions in real-world settings. Potential areas of cooperation include sustainable mangrove ecosystem management, riverbank erosion prevention and adaptation, water management, sustainable infrastructure, and technologies for climate change adaptation. These are interdisciplinary issues that require the integration of scientific and technological expertise, policy perspectives, and local practices, while closely aligning with CTU’s strengths in education and research and its extensive network of partners in the Mekong Delta.
In addition to research and innovation, developing human resources for strategic technology sectors was another important topic of discussion. As technology becomes an increasingly important driver of development, CTU and Delft University of Technology discussed potential cooperation in developing human resources for emerging fields with high demand and strategic importance to the country’s modernization, particularly semiconductor technology, high-speed rail engineering, infrastructure engineering, and advanced engineering technologies.
In this direction, the cooperation between the two universities is expected not only to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer but also to focus on strengthening institutional and local capacity through connections among faculty members, experts, students, and research groups. The two sides discussed opportunities to develop joint education and research programs, strengthen academic exchange, and gradually establish cooperation models that closely integrate education, research, innovation, and practical development.
Commemorative photo of CTU delegation and Delft University of Technology leadership
Through the working session, CTU expressed its intention to gradually build a partnership with Delft University of Technology by connecting the strengths of the two universities to create shared value, particularly by linking knowledge and technology with practical challenges in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta. An important direction is to connect Delft University of Technology and CTU with research institutes, universities, and local authorities in Vietnam to conduct research, testing, and evaluation of technologies and solutions. At the same time, CTU seeks to draw on the experience of The Green Village to explore the development of appropriate testing environments at the University and strengthen connections among universities, businesses, government agencies, and communities in bringing research outcomes into practice.
University of Groningen: Strengthening Cooperation in Law and Medicine
On September 4, 2026, the CTU delegation held a working session with the University of Groningen, one of CTU’s long-standing university partners in the Netherlands. The delegation was welcomed by representatives of the university’s leadership and its relevant faculties, including the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Medicine.
Over the years, nearly 30 CTU lecturers have completed master’s and doctoral programs at the University of Groningen, serving as important bridges that have contributed to maintaining and expanding the partnership between the two institutions.
At the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the leadership, faculties, professors, and experts of the University of Groningen for their continued support, engagement, and contributions to cooperation with CTU, particularly in training, research, and the academic supervision of the University’s faculty and staff over the years. He affirmed that these achievements provide an important foundation for the two institutions to maintain, strengthen, and expand their cooperation in the years ahead.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh and the CTU delegation worked at the University of Groningen
Building on the foundation developed over the years, the partnership between CTU and the University of Groningen continues to open new avenues for cooperation, contributing to the expansion of CTU’s academic space as a multidisciplinary university. This also reflects CTU’s increasingly diverse and in-depth approach to international cooperation, which not only builds on its traditional strengths in agriculture, aquaculture, and the environment but also gradually expands into law, economics, medicine, public health, professional training, and interdisciplinary research.
For the Faculty of Law, international academic exchange can open up new approaches to education and training models, particularly professional certificate programs commissioned by Vietnamese enterprises engaged in production and exports to European markets. Research cooperation may also focus on legal issues related to sustainable development, green energy, the environment, international trade, and social governance, which are becoming increasingly interconnected with legal frameworks.
In medicine, connecting with a reputable research university such as the University of Groningen creates additional opportunities for cooperation in education, scientific research, and the development of human resources in medicine and public health. This is an area of practical significance for the Mekong Delta, where improving the quality of human resources and healthcare capacity is closely linked to the region’s sustainable development.
Expanding the Space for Cooperation, Creating Greater Value for the Mekong Delta
From August 31 to September 4, 2026, CTU continued to expand and strengthen its cooperation with partners and academic networks in the Netherlands across a wide range of fields. Each partner brings complementary strengths, creating greater opportunities for academic exchange, curriculum development, research collaboration, and international engagement for faculty members, researchers, and students.
Connecting universities with diverse areas of expertise also helps broaden interdisciplinary approaches to the challenges facing the Mekong Delta, from water management, climate change, agriculture, and aquaculture to technology, law, healthcare, and core technologies. These areas are increasingly interconnected and require not only strong disciplinary expertise but also interdisciplinary thinking and international competencies. This direction is consistent with CTU’s development strategy of strengthening the internationalization of education, enhancing the quality of training, advancing research, and connecting knowledge with the practical needs of the region.
The working program in the Netherlands therefore not only strengthened CTU’s connections with international partners but also opened up opportunities for deeper and more focused cooperation in education, research, academic exchange, and human resource development. These efforts contribute to enhancing CTU’s capacity while generating greater value for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. Through these partnerships, CTU continues to affirm its role as a regional center for education and research, proactively connecting international knowledge and expertise with practical challenges in the Mekong Delta while bringing the region’s knowledge, strengths, and contributions closer to the international academic community.
(Website Editorial Board)
