On April 17, 2026, Vietnam National University of Agriculture held a working session with partners from Ireland, including the University of Galway and the Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) to discuss how both sides realize goals of joint initiatives in order to promote the sustainable transformation of food systems in Vietnam and to advance research on the application of biotechnology in crop breeding.
Attending the meeting were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Long, Director of the International Cooperation Office; Mr. Do Huy Thiep, Deputy Director of the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Institutions; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thuy Hang, Director of the Research Group on Crop Breeding and Development Technology. Representatives from Ireland included Dr. Peter McKeown, Project Director of Eco Food Systems at the University of Galway (UoG); Mr. Hoang Van Tu, SFSI Country Manager in Vietnam along with experts and Phd candidate.
Meeting between VNUA and partners from Ireland
At the beginning of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Long, Director of the International Cooperation Office and Deputy Director of the Center of Excellence Research and Innovation, warmly welcomed the delegation from the University of Galway and the SFSI:
“VNUA highly values the strategic and trustworthy partnership with the University of Galway with the support of SFSI and the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam over the years. We would especially like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Ireland and the SFSI for their practical programs and projects, which have made significant contributions to the sustainable transformation of food systems in Vietnam. On this occasion, we would also like to extend our warmest congratulations to the EcoFoodSystems project of the University of Galway for successfully organizing the expert consultation workshop with Vietnamese specialists on April 15 -16, 2026. We highly appreciate the practical significance and scientific value of the project in advancing the transformation of food systems in Hanoi in particular and nationwide in general. The president of VNUA has shown her strong interest in the bilateral collaboration development, and the University is committed to continuing to promote cooperative activities between two parties to a new level, delivering sustainable value to the agricultural sector.”
Representing the University of Galway, Dr. Peter McKeown shared: “On behalf of the delegation from the University of Galway, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Vietnam National University of Agriculture for the warm reception. We are particularly impressed by the University’s facilities and research capacity, which provide a solid foundation for establishing joint laboratories on biological applications in crop breeding and food systems transformation. The University of Galway is committed to sharing best practices in financial management, operational mechanisms, and doctoral training collaboration to help create an international-standard academic environment at the University. We believe that convergence of Galway’s academic expertise and VNUA’s rich practical experience will generate breakthroughs for the EcoFoodSystems project, contributing to the development of a sustainable and resilient food system for the future.”
On behalf of the SFSI, Mr. Hoàng Văn Tú emphasized: “The SFSI is honored to serve as a bridge in the strategic partnership between two leading universities in the fields of agriculture and life sciences in two countries. Through the IVAP program, we highly appreciate the University’s pro-activeness and professional contributions in implementing projects on biosafety and agricultural innovation in recent years. The SFSI remains providing our support in terms of resources and technical assistance to promote evidence-based policymaking, enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products, and further strengthen the friendship between our two nations.”
Establishing an Innovation Hub and Joint Laboratories
A key point of the discussion was the plan to establish a Food Systems Transformation Lab/Hub at the University. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Long emphasized that with its modern infrastructure and the involvement of multiple faculties currently conducting research in related fields, VNUA is willing to designate workspace for Irish experts on campus.
In parallel, the two sides plan to develop an Agribiosciences Laboratory. This facility will focus on advanced technical research and serve as a foundation for implementing co-supervision programs for PhD candidates. This model will enable scientists and students from both institutions to access Ireland’s international academic standards while addressing practical challenges in Vietnam’s agricultural sector.
Representatives from the University of Galway and SFSI
Enhancing the Cooperative Innovation Ecosystem
At the meeting, a progress report on the SFSI-funded project titled “Assessment of the Current State of the Cooperative Innovation Ecosystem in the Agri-Food Sector in Vietnam.” was shared. Representing the SFSI, Mr. Hoang Van Tu noted that the project aims to transform cooperatives into key drivers of change within the food system.
In the context of Vietnam having approximately 23,000 agri-food cooperatives, supporting these entities in meeting stringent EU market standards and adopting digital technologies has become a top priority.
Formalizing commitments through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
To ensure that commitments go beyond discussion, both parties agreed sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). This document will clearly define financial resources, expected outputs, and designated focal persons responsible for maintaining the momentum of cooperation.