As part of its commitment to strengthening international cooperation, on September 30, Victoria Pacific University (VPU) hosted an academic meeting and exchange program with partners from the Francophone university community. The program provided an opportunity for the participating institutions to discuss cooperation in education, scientific research, and international learning opportunities for students.
Attending the program were professors and experts from Université Clermont Auvergne and University of New Caledonia (France). Representing the Consulate of Vanuatu in Ho Chi Minh City was Mr. Robbie Iauko, Education Attaché. On behalf of Victoria Pacific University, the program was attended by Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Vice President; Ms. Le Anh Van, Vice President; leaders of relevant faculties and departments; and Vanuatu students currently studying at the University.
During the working session, the participants focused on academic cooperation and exchange, scholarship opportunities in France, and the potential development of joint research projects. Vanuatu students also had the opportunity to engage directly with professors and representatives of the Consulate of Vanuatu to discuss personal development pathways, career orientation, and opportunities for pursuing further studies in France.
Victoria Pacific University officially became a member of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) in 2025. This milestone provides an important foundation for the University to strengthen connections with educational institutions, research institutes, and the global Francophone academic community, thereby expanding opportunities for learning, research, and capacity development for students and faculty members.
Later that afternoon, the delegation visited the Dr. Alexandre Yersin Memorial and the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) – Suoi Dau Facility. Dr. Yersin was a prominent figure in the transfer and exchange of scientific knowledge between France and Vietnam. In 1902, he founded the Indochina Medical School, the predecessor of Hanoi Medical University, and served as its first principal. He also introduced the scientific achievements of the Louis Pasteur school of thought to research and applications in Vietnam, particularly in medicine, microbiology, and vaccines.
In this context, the visit was not only an opportunity to learn about a scientific legacy deeply connected with Khanh Hoa, but also highlighted a meaningful link between the Vietnam–France scientific exchanges established more than a century ago and the educational, research, and academic exchange partnerships that continue to develop today.
The program concluded with constructive discussions and prospects for new areas of cooperation. It also contributed to turning international academic connections into practical opportunities for students to access knowledge, resources, and global experiences throughout their studies at the University.