Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between RMIT University and Vietnam National University of Agriculture

In the afternoon of April 11^th, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, President of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) chaired the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with RMIT University (Australia). Participating in the ceremony, VNUA also has representative leaders from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Institution Research (AMI), the International Cooperation Office, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Prof. Peter Coloe, Pro Vice-Chancellor of RMIT University and Dr. Patrick Grifiths, officer of the Industrial Liaison and Communications of RMIT University joined the meeting.

In the working the visit of RMIT University to VNUA on February 12^th this year, the two universities agreed to promote the cooperation in research, teaching, and training. Specifically, RMIT University would send their professors to VUA to transfer modern technology to faculties and re-compile RMIT's strong programs for VNUA. On the basis of the strengths and the needs of both sides, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan and Prof. Peter Coloe signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the following areas: (i) Research collaboration including the development of joint funding proposals in Smart Agriculture and/or Biotechnology, (ii ) Development of a post-graduate research program, including a PhD ‘sandwich model’ drawing upon student scholarship/support and funds from Vietnam and Australian sources, (iii) Exchange of academic staff to assist in the development of training programs and curriculum development in Agriculture and Biotechnology, ( iv) Joint consultancy activities to support outreach in Agricultural technologies, (v) Exchange of academic materials and information to support research and curriculum activities, (vi) Plan the development of a collaborative articulation plan between VNUA and RMIT in Biotechnology.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan and GS. Peter Coloe signed a Memorandum of Understanding between VNUA and RMIT University

At the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan shared the priorities in scientific research of VNUA in the near future. Specifically, the University has been focusing on promoting research and production of vaccines on animals and plants. Prof. Peter Coloe, who has had many years of experiences in Biotechnology, especially in infectious diseases in agricultural production in Asia, emphasized RMIT University's strengths in Biotechnology. He is committed to providing their leading experts to help VNUA in training, teaching, and research related to diseases on animals and crops. The two Universities will jointly consider opening joint training and research programs in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the University and RMIT University is expected to help tighten the training cooperation and other links of the two universities to improve the training quality and enhance the research capacity of both sides.

RMIT University, Australia was established in 1887. Rated as a QS 5-Star institution and having been awarded many precious prizes by the Australian Research Council, RMIT has excellent training and research quality. With about 82,000 students, RMIT is the largest undergraduate institute in Australia. RMIT University has 20% of its students as foreigners, which creates a very diverse cultural environment that is suitable for Vietnamese students and staff to study and foster research.