NEW STUDENT ALUMNI STUDENT STAFF VIETNAMESE

Inauguration Ceremony of Research Laboratory Complex (RLC) and Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL) – Can Tho University Improvement Project

On the morning of October 30th, 2022, Can Tho University (CTU) solemnly held the inauguration ceremony of the Research Laboratory Complex (RLC) and Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL) in the framework of the CTU Improvement Project. These are currently the two largest scale construction works of CTU with modern architecture that help CTU becomes a more spacious and comfortable location to serve for teaching, learning, and scientific research activities of all lecturers, staff, and students. They also mark the sustainable development of the university according to the spirit of Conclusion No. 28-KL/TW, dated August 14th, 2012 of the Political Bureau on building and developing CTU to become an excellent institution, on par with the universities in the region and the world.

Attending the ceremony were the Japanese Deputy Ambasassdor; Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office; JICA-CTU Project Office; Consultants, Contractors, representatives of leaders of Can Tho City People’s Committee, local authorities, institutes, schools and enterprises in the Mekong Delta Region. At the side of CTU, there was the participation of former leaders of the university through the ages; members of the Board of Trustees, the Rectorate Board, the Project Management Unit, and the leaders from CTU’s units.

Overview of the Inauguration Ceremony and the Delegates

Since 2011, CTU has embarked on a plan to use ODA loans. After the preparation process, on July 4th, 2015, Loan Agreement No. VN14-P6 was signed by the Governments of Vietnam and Japan, and officially took effect from October 30th, 2015 to October 30th, 2022. The project is expected to upgrade CTU into an excellent institution that meets international standards in terms of training, scientific research, technology transfer, and governance, focusing on three fields of Agriculture, Aquaculture/Fisheries, and Environment, contributing to socio-economic development, adapting to climate change, protecting the environment, adding value for agriculture and fisheries in the Mekong Delta region.

Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan – Rector of CTU, Representative of the Project Owner, shares information about CTU Improvement Project, expresses his pride, and joyfully announces: “CTU Improvement Project using ODA loans from the Japanese Government has been completed in accordance with the schedule and objectives as planned; at the same time, two new projects officially are put into operation to realize the space and orientation of teaching and learning, in-depth research, with optimal conditions for lecturers and learners and to constantly improve the capacity of scientific research and technology transfer, cooperative training of CTU with its partners in the future”.

CTU Improvement Project has a total capital of 12,306 million Japanese yen, equivalent to 2,250 billion VND. Which, the ODA loan is 10,456 million yen (equivalent to 1,912 billion VND), and the reciprocal capital from the legal revenue of CTU is 1,850 million yen, equivalent to 338 billion VND. The project consists of five main components: (1) Human Resource Development, (2) Research Projects, (3) Facility Construction, (4) Equipment Procurement, and ( 5) Consulting Services. The component of facility construction consists of 4 construction items including: i) The Research Laboratory Complex (RLC) was built on an area of 8,193 m2 (5 floors) with a total floor area of 30,161 m2; ii) Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL) was built on an area of 3,546 m2 (7 floors) with a total floor area of 18,827 m2; iii) The Net House system was built on an area of 7,483 m2, including 6 net houses with a total floor area of 3,804 m2; iv) The Hatchery was built on an area of 5,149 m2, including 02 blocks with a total floor area of 2,827 m2. The two construction works of “Research Laboratory Complex - RLC” and “Advanced Technology Laboratory - ATL” were officially started on the occasion of Vietnam Teachers' Day, November 20, 2019. The construction work of “Research Laboratory Complex - RLC” was built by the Urban Infrastructure Development Investment Corporation (UDIC) on an area of 8,193 m2 (5 floors) with a total floor area of 30,161 m2 and the Advanced Technology Laboratory - ATL was built by the Joint Venture Contractor of Thanh An Corporation - the 789 Corporation on an area of 3,546 m2 (7 floors) with a total floor area of 18,827 m2 after nearly 3 years of construction with many difficulties and challenges, including the heavy impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, with the efforts and coordination between the Consultants, the Contractors, and especially with the support of ministries, agencies, and JICA as a sponsor, the Project has been conducted with the right design, high quality, and aesthetics. .

Nguyen Van Luyen, General Director of Urban Infrastructure Development Investment Corporation (UDIC), shares information about the RLC’s construction process

Representative of the Joint Venture Contractor Thanh An Corporation – 789 Corporation, Mr. Nguyen Cong Hieu – General Director of 789 Corporation, shares information about the construction process of ATL

The date of October 30th, 2022 marked the completion of two construction works of the Research Laboratory Complex (RLC) and the Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL), which have been completed and officially put into use with 147 modern laboratories, 78 working rooms, 69 research rooms, 47 high-quality classrooms, seminar rooms, 02 auditoriums with a capacity of 154 and 200 seats respectively. The two new buildings will realize the space and orientation in teaching and in-depth research, with optimal conditions for lecturers and learners to constantly improve their capacity in scientific research, technology transfer, and cooperative training. They are also the highlight in the process of upgrading CTU to become an excellent institution, meeting international standards in the coming time.

Mr. Naoki Tominaga, Representative of Consulting Unit - Nihon Sekkei, speaks at the ceremony

Mr. Naoki Tominaga, representative of the consulting unit - Nihon Sekkei, expressed his pleasure and congratulated to the success of the Project. He also shared more about the design of the two construction works in the Project. Accordingly, both ATL and RLC buildings were designed with a unique atrium at the center of the building, creating a common space where students can explore and experience learning activities. Environmental issues were also calculated and considered. Besides, natural conditions were brought into the buildings; therefore, there is no need for an air-conditioning system for the atrium area thanks to the available natural resources such as wind and sunlight.

Mr. Watanabe Shige, Japanese Deputy Ambassador, speaks at the ceremony

In the pleasure of attending the inauguration ceremony of important construction works in CTU Improvement Project, Mr. Watanabe Shige - Japanese Deputy Ambassador summarized some key features of the close relationship between Japan and CTU – one of the leading institutions in Vietnam, which are of special interest to Japanese universities and businesses. He believes that with the works inaugurated today, CTU is going to play a vital role to help achieve the goals of the Vietnamese Government in the “Strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development” and “The green growth action plan of the industry” as well as further dedication to the Vietnamese Government in solving important national issues such as ensuring food security, climate change, etc. The year 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. He also hopes that CTU, with its location in the heart of the Mekong Delta – an institution with a long history of connection with Japan, will have many events leading the series of commemorative events in the region.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan, Rector of CTU present flowers to thank agencies, organizations, sponsors, contractors, and consultants

In more than 56 years of construction and development, CTU has made great progress and is always proud to be one of the key training institutions in the country. Its vision is to become an excellent institution in Vietnam and in the group of strong universities in training, scientific research, and technology transfer, which is recognized in the region and the world. Besides constantly improving the quality of the training programme, and developing the capacity of scientific research and technology transfer, CTU always pays much attention and effort to investment and expansion of facilities, materials, and equipment to facilitate the development of the university towards the goal of serving the needs of nearly 20 million people in the Mekong Delta region and the people of the whole country. Accompanying the university efforts is the interest of the Party and the State, the direction of the Government and relevant Ministries, as well as the enthusiastic help of relevant agencies.

The completion of the CTU Improvement Project is a premise to develop the university sustainably, to well perform its role and mission, to supplement high-quality human resources, foster talents, and develop science to serve the socio-economic development of the region and the country, creating a driving force for CTU to become one of the leading universities in terms of quality in Vietnam and in the group of strong universities recognized in the region and the world in training and scientific research, contributing more effectively to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta and the whole country in a new situation.

The Delegates cut the ribbon to ignaugurate the ATL Building

Mr. Natanabe Shige, Japanese Deputy Ambassador, and Mr. Shimizu Akita, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam plant a souvenir tree in front of the RLC Building