Student exchange program with the University of Miyazaki in 2017

After the framework of a collaboration agreement on training and research between the University of Miyazaki (UOM), Japan and Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), the UOM sent 11 students to VNUA. Accompanying with UOM students are 11 VNUA students from the advanced training program of the Faculty of Agronomy and the Faculty of Economics and Rural Development. This exchange program, a continuation of the success of the exchange program in 2016, coordinated by the Faculty of Regional Innovation – UOM, the Office of UOM Hanoi based at VNUA, and the International Co-operation Office – VNUA, took place from 23 August to 1 September 2017.

The focus of the exchange program 2017 is on rural development in Vietnam. It provided participating students with update knowledge and information on safe food production and consumption in Vietnam, mainly for Vietnam’s typical vegetables, fruits and roots. The students worked as teams to discuss and propose solutions that help develop safe food models, contributing to promoting community development and improving the wellbeing of the local people as well.

A prominent activity of the exchange program is the 3^rd International Sakura-Lotus International Seminar on "Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Community with the participation of representatives from the UOM, the International Cooperation Office - VNUA, lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Agronomy and the Faculty of Economics and Rural Development - VNUA. This is an opportunity for VNUA’s young lecturers, researchers and students to access new and advanced information, exchange and share expertise in the field of agriculture, especially in safe food production.

As one of series of annual cooperative activities since 2015 between the two universities, the program in 2017 contributed to building a strong bilateral relationship. It was a memorable event for students with beautiful moments, new friends from diverse cultures as well as exotic student life together with opportunities to exchange and learn professional knowledge in agriculture and rural development in both Vietnam and Japan.