On April 28, 2026, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) held a working session with representatives from the University of L’Aquila (Università degli Studi dell’Aquila – UNIVAQ), Italy. The meeting focused on discussions to strengthen strategic cooperation, aiming toward sustainable development, creative innovation, and comprehensive integration in education and scientific research between the two universities.
Attending the meeting on behalf of VNUA, there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cong Tiep, VNUA’s Vice President; M.Sc. Le Thi Bich Lien, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office; Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Director of the Training Management Office; Dr. Pham Quang Dung, Acting Vice Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology; along with heads and deputy heads of departments from the Faculty of Information Technology. Representing the University of L’Aquila were Prof. Bruno Rubino, Vice Rector for International Cooperation; Prof. Matteo Colangeli, Program Coordinator; as well as experts and administrative staff of the university.
Overview of the working session between VNUA and the University of L’Aquila
At the opening of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cong Tiep, VNUA’s Vice President, warmly welcomed the delegation from the University of L’Aquila. He emphasized that, “Your visit is a highly meaningful occasion for our two universities to strengthen academic exchange and promote institutional cooperation. We sincerely appreciate the presence of the delegation from the University of L’Aquila and highly value your goodwill in fostering collaboration with Vietnam National University of Agriculture. We recognize the University of L’Aquila as a prestigious institution globally, within Europe, and in Italy in particular, especially in the fields of Engineering and Health Sciences. According to the 2025 rankings, the university is placed 906th worldwide, among the top 4.3% of universities globally, ranked 339th in Europe and 43rd in Italy. It is also positioned within the top 800 universities worldwide and the top 600 in Europe. The university is highly regarded for its research performance (62.1 points) and internationalization (74.1 points). Our two universities share many common interests in international cooperation, particularly in education and training, science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation in education. This visit opens up numerous opportunities for collaboration in research, training, and technology transfer, contributing to the enhancement of human resource quality, especially in the fields of agriculture, environment, and high technology. We are confident that through these cooperative activities, the relationship between our two universities will continue to develop in a sustainable manner, bringing tangible benefits to both sides and contributing to national development.”
Representing the University of L’Aquila, Prof. Bruno Rubino, Vice Rector for International Cooperation, stated that,“We are honored to establish a collaborative partnership with VNUA, a leading institution in the field of agricultural sciences in Vietnam. Both universities demonstrate strong capacities in applied research and innovation, particularly in agriculture and high-technology domains. We anticipate that this partnership will facilitate the development of joint research initiatives, academic mobility for students and faculty, and the establishment of collaborative training programs, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific and technological capacity in both universities. Founded in 1952, the University of L’Aquila has established a strong academic reputation in engineering, information technology, mathematics, business administration, and related disciplines. It is widely recognized within the international research community for its contributions to knowledge generation, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As an active participant in internationalization efforts, the university has engaged extensively in student mobility programs such as Erasmus and has developed numerous collaborative research projects in areas including information technology, automation, artificial intelligence, mathematics, and smart technologies. These initiatives support the continuous development of academic staff and students, enhancing both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies. Given these shared strengths, we are confident that, underpinned by mutual trust, a shared strategic vision, and sustained institutional commitment, the partnership between the University of L’Aquila and VNUA will continue to expand and generate substantive academic and societal value for both universities.”
Within the framework of the visit, and building upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two universities in 2024, both parties agreed to further expand specific areas of cooperation, including: (1) the implementation of joint research projects and the provision of short-term training programs for VNUA staff to enhance professional capacity, particularly in spin-off development, innovation advancement, and the application of mathematics and artificial intelligence in education and agriculture; (2) the exchange of faculty members and students, alongside the development of joint academic programs; and (3) the co-organization of international conferences, workshops, and other scholarly activities.
The working session with the University of L’Aquila was intended not only to strengthen ongoing collaborative activities but also to open new avenues for the development of joint research projects, the establishment of collaborative academic programs, and the promotion of student and faculty mobility, as well as the sharing of research resources and advanced technologies. It also provided an opportunity for both sides to identify priority areas of mutual interest and to formulate strategic collaborative initiatives, thereby enhancing the international standing of higher education and research institutions in both countries. During this visit, the delegation from the University of L’Aquila comprised scientists, researchers, and coordinators of international programs, all of whom were leading experts in fields such as remote sensing, automation technologies, artificial intelligence, digital transformation in agriculture, and data management, and who played key roles in the university’s international cooperation activities. Notably, Prof. Bruno Rubino, Vice Rector for International Cooperation, expressed a strong commitment to establishing a long-term and sustainable strategic partnership with the Vietnam National University of Agriculture. Future collaborative activities between the two universities would focus on applied research, technology transfer, and the development of high-quality human resources, thereby contributing to strengthening national competitiveness in the digital era.
The visit of the Italian delegation to VNUA marked the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between VNUA and the University of L’Aquila. This collaboration was expected to promote scientific research, foster innovation, enhance the quality of education and training, facilitate student exchange, strengthen staff capacity, and encourage cultural exchange between the two universities.
Some photos from the working session
The two universities exchange commemorative gifts and take group photos.