As part of the cooperation program between Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) and the China Agricultural University (CAU), four students from the Faculty of Economics and Management, VNUA, including Nguyen Truong Xuan (K68 KTNNA), Nguyen Dinh Huy (K69 KTTCE), Nguyen Ngoc Mai (K70 KTA), and Nguyen Thuy Thuy Linh (K70 KTA), participated in the International Summer School on Area Studies and Global Development, organized by the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), China Agricultural University (CAU), from July 5 to 18, 2026. The program took place in Beijing and field sites in Yunnan Province, China.
VNUA students during the first lecture of the International Summer School at CAU, Beijing (Photo: CIDGA, CAU Organizing Committee)
With the aim of promoting academic exchange and international cooperation, the Summer School provided a learning environment that combined theoretical knowledge with practical experience through thematic lectures, field studies, enterprise visits, and cultural exchange activities. The program offered students an opportunity to explore key issues in agriculture, rural development, sustainable development, and global governance from an interdisciplinary perspective.
In Beijing, the students attended a series of thematic lectures delivered by international professors and experts, covering topics such as rural revitalization, area studies, sustainable development, land market transformation, field research methods, scientific publishing, and development finance. The open discussions provided opportunities for students to exchange perspectives, analyze development challenges in a global context, and compare experiences across countries.
Open discussion session of the International Summer School on Area Studies and Global Development, July 9, 2026 (Photo: CIDGA, CAU Organizing Committee)
In addition to classroom sessions, participants also had the opportunity to choose from study visits and exchanges with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Tencent, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) Office in China. Through these engagements, students gained practical insights into digital transformation, innovation, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and international cooperation, while also learning about the roles of organizations and businesses in global governance and development.
VNUA students with the delegation at the closing ceremony of the Beijing session of the International Summer School, before embarking on field research in Yunnan Province (Photo: CIDGA, CAU Organizing Committee)
In Yunnan Province, the students conducted field research in several localities to explore models of rural revitalization, community-based tourism development, ethnic cultural preservation, and grassroots governance. Under the guidance of faculty members, they conducted field surveys, made observations, and engaged in discussions with local residents and authorities, enabling them to apply research methods in real-world settings.
Participants and faculty members of the International Summer School conducting field research in Yunnan Province, China
The delegation also visited a number of enterprises and modern agricultural production models, gaining insights into agricultural value chains from production and processing to distribution; the application of technology, brand development, digital transformation, and linkages between enterprises and farming households. These experiences provided a more comprehensive understanding of agricultural modernization and sustainable rural development.
Beyond acquiring professional knowledge, participants also had opportunities to interact with lecturers, experts, and students from different countries through seminars, group work, and cultural exchange activities. This multicultural learning environment helped enhance their communication and teamwork skills, critical thinking, and adaptability in the context of international integration.
Closing ceremony of the Yunnan session of the International Summer School, marking the conclusion of the 2026 Summer School program at CAU (Photo: CIDGA, CAU Organizing Committee)
The study and exchange program in China enabled the four students from the Faculty of Economics and Management, VNUA, to strengthen their disciplinary knowledge, enhance their research capacity, and broaden their understanding of development models around the world. At the same time, the program demonstrated the effectiveness of cooperation between VNUA and CAU in providing students with opportunities to engage in an international academic environment, gain practical experience, and prepare for their future studies, research, and careers.