Dutch Alumni Meeting on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands

On the afternoon of December 11, 2023, Can Tho University (CTU) coordinated with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education - Nuffic organized the Dutch Alumni Meeting event at the Hall of Learning Resource Center, CTU.

Attending the event, there was Mr. Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Union of Friendship Organizations of Can Tho City. On the side of CTU, there was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh, Vice Rector in charge of CTU, along with representatives of leaders of departments, faculties, institutes of the University and a large number of Dutch alumni attended.

Overview of the event

The cooperative relationship between CTU and Dutch partners has experienced impressive milestones and numbers. Accordingly, 6 memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed; 21 candidates were nominated to participate in the Mekong 1,000 Program, master's and doctoral degrees in Dutch institutions. These students act as a bridge for cooperation between Dutch partners and the Mekong Delta provinces. CTU and Dutch partners have conducted 15 international projects serving the community with a total budget of about 395,030 euros. In particular, CTU received aid from the Dutch Government through the MHO and VH10 programs that were conducted within 8 years (1996-2004) with a total funding cost of about 13 million euros.

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh shared that the meeting is an opportunity to exchange information and expand cooperation between CTU and Dutch organizations, enterprises, and partners. At the same time, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh also sent his deep thanks to the government and people of the Netherlands, the Dutch Ambassador, the Netherlands Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Dutch Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education - Nuffic for supporting CTU in the past time. Dr. Tinh also expressed his belief that related parties will continue to make efforts, promote bilateral cooperation achievements, and strongly develop meaningful activities in the future.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh delivered the speech at the meeting

Mr. Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam, also expressed his joy when the friendship and solidarity relationship between the Netherlands and Vietnam reached the 50-year milestone. The close cooperation and support between the two countries in general, between Dutch partners and CTU in particular is a solid premise for developing together as well as solving important global challenges. Supporting agricultural transformation, food security, and community resilience to the impacts of climate change with community participation are issues that stakeholders are trying to implement. At the same time, he also expressed his belief that the cooperation between the Netherlands and Vietnam is getting better and better and considered long-term activities not only in the diplomatic ties but in the general development of the people’s lives in the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Kees van Baar spoke at the event

At the meeting, the delegates heard the presentations from the speakers who are Dutch alumni on issues related to the environment, sustainable aquaculture, water resources, and climate change in the Mekong Delta. In addition, the delegates had the opportunity to exchange information with the speakers through a discussion session that focused on the issues of practical difficulties in biodiversity, sediment, and irrigation systems of people in the delta and agricultural areas.

The speakers presented at the event

Discussion Session

Giving the closing speech at the event, Mrs. Ingrid Korving, Agricultural Counselor of the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, expressed her expectation that all alumni will become ambassadors in conveying good messages from a cultural perspective of knowledge in order to contribute to the mutual development of both countries. This is a meeting for everyone to look back at the past journey, the achievements, and the set objectives. A 50-year relationship is not a number to stop but it is the next step to create a premise for expanding the friendship between Vietnam and the Netherlands. Mrs. Ingrid Korving expressed her belief that with her best efforts, both countries will increasingly develop and progress.

Mrs. Ingrid Korving spoke at the event

It was not only a celebration of half a century of establishing diplomatic relations with outstanding milestones and achievements, but this meeting also highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge about agriculture and water management in the development of international relations in the sustainable growth of Vietnam and the Netherlands. The event has become a useful forum in helping scientists, lecturers, and alumni researching in these fields to have the opportunity to exchange, share knowledge, and experience, and collaborate on research to contribute to developing information and ideas of speakers, updating new knowledge and techniques as well as vision for the future.

The Delegates took souvenir photos at the event

(Website Editorial Board)