After 10 years of implementing the VLIR Vietnam Network Bioscience for Food Program (2013 - 2023) with numerous successful outcomes in training and research collaboration between partners in Vietnam and Belgium, on October 27, 2023, the Program's closing ceremony was held at Can Tho University.
The VLIR Vietnam Network is a collaborative program involving five institutes and universities in Vietnam, including Can Tho University, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hue University, Nha Trang University, and Research Institute for Aquaculture 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. It collaborates with Ghent University and KU Leuven in Belgium, aiming to establish and develop international postgraduate training programs in the fields of Food Technology and Aquaculture.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Hà Thanh Toàn, Rector of Can Tho University and the Vietnam Coordinator; Prof. Koen Dewettinck, Flemish Coordinator from Ghent University; Mr. Peter De Lannoy, Global Partner Coordinator, along with members of the project, including the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nha Trang University, Hue University, and the Research Institute for Aquaculture 2 in Ho Chi Minh City.
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| Ceremony event of the VLIR Vietnam Network Bioscience for Food Program's 10 years (2013 - 2023) |
The event marked the conclusion of the achievements of the VLIR Vietnam Network program over the past decade (2013 - 2023). Sponsored by the Council of Flemish Universities, the VLIR Vietnam Network aimed to establish a network between universities in Flanders, Belgium, and Vietnamese universities to develop and strengthen collaboration between institutes, schools, and postgraduate training partnerships internationally, leading to a double-degree Ph.D. based on research in food biology. The program consists of two projects (P1 on Aquaculture and P2 on Food Technology) with two phases: Phase I (2013 - 2018) and Phase II (2019 - 2023).
The collaborative project on postgraduate and research-based training in aquaculture (P1) and the interuniversity research-based training project in Vietnam to ensure the safety and quality of the global food supply chain (P2) have achieved significant successes. Results include the enrollment and training of 102 students (6 cohorts specializing in Aquaculture) at Can Tho University and 65 students (5 cohorts specializing in Food Technology), with 37 students trained in rotation at network member institutions (Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nha Trang University, Hue University). Students came from 22 countries worldwide, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, France, Nepal, Malawi, the Philippines, Burundi, China, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, India, Liberia, and Vietnam. The quality of the MSc Aquaculture program has improved, the network both within and outside Vietnam has expanded, the double-degree Ph.D. program has been developed, models for enhanced collaboration and knowledge transfer have been built and implemented, and research work by doctoral students has been successfully completed with eight international publications. Additionally, the teaching staff of the network has received international teaching training, related units at institutes and universities have improved their professionalism in management and training.
Prof. Koen Dewettinck, Flemish Coordinator, shared his pleasure in collaborating on the VLIR Vietnam Network project, a collaboration between Vietnamese universities and Flemish universities to form a network aimed at efficiently achieving common goals. He expressed his desire to continue cooperation with Vietnamese partners on future educational projects.
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| The Project Management Board awarded a token of appreciation to acknowledge the contributions made to our Belgian and Vietnamese partners. |