Background of the project

Vietnam has been experiencing dynamic socio-economic reformation during the past twenty years.
To sustain economic and social development of the country, it is very important to deal with
various issues and needs in regional areas and local communities. Otherwise, they will be left behind by the socio-economic changes, and will miss out on the fruits of the development of the country.

Higher Education institutions in Vietnam have also been striving to adapt to changing circumstances in education and science & technology. To sustain self-driven development of the country, closer collaboration between regional areas/communities and universities, makes the role of the university more significant.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), administered under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, is recognized as the center of excellence for education and research in engineering and technology in southern Vietnam. The university has 26,000 students enrolled in 11 academic departments and 1,100 staff members. To be more responsive to social and regional needs through its academic and scientific assets, HCMUT is designated as the implementing institution for this JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project, under the agreement at the governmental level.

Mekong River Delta region, seen as the potential place for further development but having various needs in technology, knowledge and human resource development, is the focal area in the project. Since the commencement of the project, there has been close partnership between Tien Giang province and An Giang province. In these provinces, people's committees, their departments, universities, research centers and other local stakeholders have been cooperating with HCMUT in implementing the project.

On 2 December, 2005, the project framework was officially agreed on in the Record of Discussion signed between the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh, University of Technology Ho Chi Minh City, and JICA. The project was launched on 15 January, 2006 as a technical cooperation project for three years . JICA-HCMUT project office was established at the campus of HCMUT, and project management staff of HCMUT are jointly managing the project.

The project activities includes; research and technology development to meet local needs of the cooperating provinces, technology transfer to the locals, receiving technical assistance from Japanese experts, participating JICA training courses in Japan and management of those activities. It is expected that this project contributes to progress of higher education in Vietnam and also to regional development. For more details of this project, please look at the following pages.

The project has officially concluded the activities with much accomplishment on 14th January 2009 after three-year operation. It is expected that the 2nd phase of the project will start early in 2009. All project members appreciate very much your interest in and support for the project. We look forward to updating you on new activities soon.