The symposium was attended by 250 guests and speakers, including representatives from the Governments, Ministries, and local authorities of the two countries Vietnam and Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, VNUHN, Japanese partner universities, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), scientists, education experts, businesses, and the media of Vietnam and Japan.
The inaugural symposium on “Sustainable Development” with the participation of leading experts
Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo, VJU’s Rector, delivered the opening remarks. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo gave a brief introduction of VJU, its education philosophy and the rationale for launching the opening ceremony. On behalf of VJU, Prof. Furuta also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to government agencies, civil society organizations and partner universities of the two countries for their dedicated support during the past time and hoped to continue having such valued companion throughout the next development phases.
Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo, VJU’s Rector, delivered the opening remarks
Amidst critical environmental pollution faced by the world in general and Vietnam in particular, namely resource depletion, serious ecological imbalance, growing gap between the rich and the poor, the consequences associated with development and urbanization process, etc. sustainable development and underpinning solutions has become a well-debated topic. For this reason, topics presented at the symposium by Vietnamese and Japanese such as “Future for Vietnam”, “Global Changes and Sustainability”, etc. isvery practical and highly applicable.
Photo: Mr. Seko Hiroshige, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade And Industry presented on the topic “Future for Vietnam”
Mr. Seko Hiroshige, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry chose the topic “Future for Vietnam” for his presentation at the symposium. In his talk, Mr. Seko Hiroshige dwelled upon two major issues: free trade flows and training of human resources. During the past time, Asian countries in general and Vietnam in particular play an increasingly meaningful role in the world’s free trade flows. This is a global indispensable trend.
According to Mr. Hiroshige, Vietnam possesses undeniable economic potential, but realizing such potential requires radical reforms, at the heart of which is the training of high quality human resources. This is also the mission of Vietnam Japan University. In realizing this mission, VJU chose to start with 06 training programs matching with Japan’s competitive advantages and Vietnam’s demands, including: Nanotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering, Area Studies, Public Policy, and Business Administration. In closing his remarks, Mr. Seko Hiroshige conveyed his congratulations to the first student intake of VJU with an expectation that these students will play a significant role in Vietnam’s future development and a bridge between Vietnam and Japan.
Mr. Kitaoka Shinichi, JICA’s President delivered a speech on “Vietnam – Japan relationship in the world history”
In his talk, Mr. Kitaoka Shinichi recalled important milestones in Vietnam – Japan relationship, emphasizing that Vietnam and Japan share many things in common in terms of population size, Chinese culture influence, the love for peace, and the respect to international laws. As a matter of course, the relationship between the two nations has continuously been nurtured. In cementing this relationship, Japan has supported Vietnam in many major projects in recent years such as T2 Terminal Noi Bai International Airport, Nhat Tan Bridge, Cho Ray Hospital, and Vietnam Japan University is a special project of training between the two countries, and is the pride of us all today.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Sc. Vu Minh Giang, the Chairman of the Science and Training Council, VNUHN gave a talk on “Comparison between Vietnamese and Japanese culture”
Prof. Dr. Sc. Vu Minh Giang, the Chairman of the Science and Training Council, VNUHN also echoed Mr. Kitaoka Shinichi’s viewpoint. In his talk titled “Comparison between Vietnamese and Japanese culture”, Prof. Dr. Sc. Vu Minh Giang elaborated on similarities and differences between Vietnam and Japan in terms of natural and cultural features, government’s organizational structure and response to foreign cultures. Prof. Vu Minh Giang concluded that although Vietnam and Japan seem to have a lot in common at the first glance, they also possess some opposite features. “The two countries are like the right and left hands, which are of opposite but not contradictory andmore of complimentaryrelationship. Therefore, we need to work hand in hand for future development”, he said.
Prof. Dr. Vu Anh Dung – VJU’s Vice Rector gave a brief overview of VJU and reaffirmed on “no compromise of training quality”
Upon adjournment of the symposium’s first session, Associate Prof. Dr. Vu Anh Dung – VJU’s Vice Rector gave a brief overview of VJU. Associate Prof. Dung shared that VJU is proposing to apply enhanced special autonomy mechanism as an international university. Associate Prof. Vu Anh Dung also emphasized that VJU never compromises with quality, as evidenced in the limited first intake of 72 master students. Lastly, he shared with students and guests about the meaning of VJU’s logo, with two iconic national flower circled in the red sun glares of knowledge, showing the spirit of friendship and collaboration between the two countries Vietnam – Japan.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Kensuke Fukushi, University of Tokyo, Japan gave a speech on key concepts of global changes and sustainable sciences.
In opening the symposium’s second session, Prof. Dr. Kensuke Fukushi, University of Tokyo shared key concepts of global changes and sustainable sciences. According to Professor Fukushi, to develop in a sustainable manner, humankind needs to balance economic, social and environmental elements. Professor Fukushi also emphasized global climate change represents both challenges and opportunities to Vietnam. Therefore, VJU was established to train human resources to be qualified enough to cope with these challenges.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Takeuchi Kazuhiko, Director of the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, Advanced Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Japan underscored the importance of sustainable sciences to the society and mankind
Addressing the topic “Sustainable sciences: The linkages between science, policy and society for a sustainable future”, Prof. Dr. Takeuchi Kazuhiko, Director of the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, Advanced Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Japan underscored the importance of sustainable sciences to the society and mankind. To achieve sustainable development, we need to initiate policy reforms and mobilize the participation of the whole society. Universities have a meaningful role to play during this process in identifying and tackling issues. As stated in the University’s mission, VJU will focus on training and research in sustainable sciences – the sciences for future.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Sumi Akimasa, President of the National Institute of Environmental Studies, Japan delivered a lecture on “Basic Theory of Climate Change”
At the symposium, Prof. Dr. Sumi Akimasa, President of the National Institute of Environmental Studies, Japan delivered a lecture on “Basic Theory of Climate Change”. ProfessrSumi Akimasa cited scientific rationales for global warming in light of physical aspects to identify its impacts on the world’s future, including Vietnam.
Photo: Prof. Dr. Mimura Nobuo, President, Ibaraki University, Japan provided some data on global climate change during the past 150 years and projection model for global temperature by 2100.
Lastly, dwelling upon “Towards climate change-resilient society” topic, Prof. Dr. Mimura Nobuo, President, Ibaraki University, Japan provided some data on global climate change during the past 150 years and projection model for global temperature by 2100. Sharing with Prof. Dr. Sumi Akimasa, Professor Nobuo also emphasized to minimize global climate change’s impacts, the Government and society need to adopt a comprehensive and joint approach in identifying and implementing measures to respond and adapt to climate change.
13 leading Japanese universities committed to work closely with VJU
Following the symposium, VJU’s partner universities namely: Osaka University – partner university in Nanotechnology, the University of Tokyo – partner university in Area Studies, Infrastructure Engineering and Environmental Engineering, University of Tsukuba – partner university in Public Policy, Ritsumeikan University – partner university in Environmental Engineering, Waseda University – partner university in Japanese language training, Yokohama National University – partner university in Business Administration, Ibaraki University – partner university in Climate Change and other 06 collaborating universities have committed to support VJU students in study, research and internship.
Although this is only the first symposium conducted by VJU, in-depth knowledge and expertise that faculty and experts brought, thorough preparation and strong support from VNUHN, JICA and partner universities have made the opening symposium on “Sustainable Sciences” a great success, leaving positive impression in all guests and speakers.
Photo: Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Seko Hiroshige, Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha, Leadership of VNUHN and VJU taking photos with master students.