On December 23, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE) organized a reception and working session with Professor Vu Manh Chien, who is currently affiliated with Université du Québec, Canada.
Figure 1 – Overview of the working session
Attending the working session on behalf of Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE) were Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Thien Tai, Head of the Office of Science and Technology and International Relations; Dr. Le Thi Kim Thoa and Dr. Tran Thanh Tam, Deputy Heads of the Office of Science and Technology and International Relations; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lu Phuong, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Environment; and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Nguyet, Dean of the Faculty of Economics.
Figure 2 – Representatives of Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment
From the partner side, the meeting was attended by Prof. Vu Manh Chien of Université du Québec, Canada, an expert in research areas related to the circular economy and sustainable development.
Figure 3 – Prof. Vu Manh Chien, Université du Québec, Canada
At the opening of the program, a representative of HCMUNRE presented an overview of the University, including its history and development, organizational structure, key academic programs, as well as notable achievements in education, scientific research, and community service. The presentation emphasized the University’s role and mission in training high-quality human resources in the fields of natural resources, environment, and sustainable development, meeting national development needs and international integration requirements.
Subsequently, Prof. Vu Manh Chien shared an overview of Université du Québec, Canada, highlighting the institution’s strengths in the field of the circular economy and practice-oriented research programs. According to Prof. Chien, the Université du Québec system has significant potential in terms of research funding, creating favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation in academic research and human resource training.
Within the framework of the meeting, Prof. Vu Manh Chien also discussed existing research funding sources, including three main categories: small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale research projects. Each category has its own funding levels and research requirements, aligned with specific objectives and implementation scopes, thereby facilitating the participation of research groups at different levels.
In addition, Prof. Chien proposed expanding cooperation in research and postdoctoral training, particularly in the context of Canada’s current policies that support and attract international researchers and students to participate in postdoctoral programs. Such initiatives would contribute to enhancing research capacity and international integration for the University’s lecturers and young scientists.
Figure 4 – Discussion and conclusion of the working session
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed that the exchange was successful and opened up many potential opportunities for cooperation in the fields of the circular economy, scientific research, human resource training, and academic development. Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment and Prof. Vu Manh Chien expressed their desire to continue maintaining exchanges and to move toward the development of concrete, practical, and long-term cooperation programs in the near future.