Visit of the U.S. Congressional Delegation to Can Tho University

On April 9th, 2023, Can Tho University (CTU) was honored to welcome the U.S. Congressional Delegation led by Senator Jeff Alan Merkley, aiming at strengthening the cooperation relationship between U.S. partners and CTU. Receiving the delegation were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan, Rector, and leader representatives of CTU’s units.

Welcome the U.S. congressional delegation

At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan, Rector of CTU, sent a warm welcome to the U.S. Congressional Delegation and briefly introduced the University’s main activities on education and training, scientific research, and technology transfer, highlighting the strengths in agriculture, aquaculture, and environment, especially the development strategy of CTU in the next time.

Senator Jeff Alan Merkley and Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan

Accordingly, the cooperation relationship between CTU and U.S. partners has been established since the 2000s, and several noticeable projects included the Sustainable Development Project of CTU's Learning Resource Center sponsored by Atlantic Philanthropies; Project of Conservation of Coastal Biodiversity by OXFAM America; Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program by USAID, Arizona State University and Intel Products Vietnam Co., Ltd; Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology (BUILD-IT) by Arizona State University; AQUAFISH-CRSP by the University of Connecticut; two Advanced Programs in Biotechnology and Aquaculture in collaboration with Michigan State University and Auburn University; the English Access Microscholarship Program funded by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General; Maker Innovation Space by the cooperation between CTU and Arizona State University under the sponsorship of USAID through the BUILD-IT project. In particular, in 2022, the University was funded by USAID and received financial support from the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City for the Environmental Education Program in the Mekong Delta.

A representative of BUILD-IT informed the delegation about the project

At the meeting, 12 students of the University participated in, exhibited, and introduced three projects that were awarded high prizes in the previous STEM competition. They included Semi-automatic biometric fingerprint recognition system for the disabled, Solution for processing shrimp farming wastewater, and Farm management system based on IoT technology.

Through the discussion with the students, Senator Jeff Alan Merkley appreciated their creativity and efforts in research. He hoped that the above projects would soon be supported by USAID and the BUILD-IT project to be widely deployed to solve the needs of people and businesses in the Mekong Delta in particular and Vietnam in general.

Students presented their projects to the delegation

After that, the delegation visited the American Hangout on the 3rd floor of the Learning Resource Center to discuss with CTU’s students the issues of climate change and adaptation to climate change in the Mekong Delta.

The meeting at the American Hangout

The participants focused on people’s livelihood, activities to adapt to climate change, plastic waste pollution, environmental pollution, education, etc. In addition, a lot of suggestions and solutions were given such as the implementation of projects for the community, and green environment; contributing to raising people’s awareness of climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

Students shared their views and solutions to climate change

On behalf of the delegation, Senator Chris Van Hollen appreciated the intelligence and dynamism of CTU’s students; especially their awareness of having to deal with the impacts of climate change. He also shared that the U.S. Government always proposes policies to support Vietnam in prioritizing climate change adaptation, strengthening cooperation in the Mekong Delta region, investing in higher education, and promoting growth inclusive economy in Vietnam.

Senator Chris Van Hollen shared with students of CTU the U.S. policies

The meetings affirm that CTU always creates favorable conditions and opportunities for students of the University to exchange, learn, care, and connect with the community, especially on environmental issues and climate change, towards improving human resources, contributing to society through practical solutions for sustainable development of the region and the whole country.

Group photo

(CTU Media)