The SWFU delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Ding Renzhan, Vice President, and included Mr. Ou Guanglong, Director of the Office of Science and Technology; Mr. Peng Jiansong, Secretary of the Party Committee, College of Ecology and Environment; Mr. Yang Xin, Secretary of the Party Committee, College of Humanities and Law; Mr. Wang Haitao, Deputy Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange; and Ms. Xiong Chunmei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering.

Representing VNUF were Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien, President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Quoc An, Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Toai, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui The Doi, Vice President; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President, together with leaders of relevant departments, offices, faculties, and institutes.

Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien, President of VNUF, delivering his remarks.

Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien, President of VNUF, warmly welcomed the delegation of leaders from SWFU on their working visit, which coincided with China's Teachers' Day on September 10, 2025. He extended his congratulations on the occasion and expressed sincere appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the two universities in recent years, particularly in capacity building for faculty and students through master's, doctoral, and short-term exchange programs. He also acknowledged SWFU's support in sending staff and experts to assist with Chinese language training and professional collaboration at VNUF. Prof. Dien emphasized his strong confidence that, building on the tradition of long-standing cooperation and mutual trust as reliable and priority partners, the two universities will continue to expand and deepen their collaboration, achieving many more outstanding results in the years ahead.

Prof. Dr. Ding Renzhan, Vice President of SWFU, delivering his remarks.

Prof. Dr. Ding Renzhan, Vice President of SWFU, expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm reception extended by VNUF. He emphasized that VNUF is among SWFU's most important partners, noting the many similarities the two institutions share in training and scientific research, as well as the strong potential for further collaboration in the future. He highlighted that the establishment of the cooperation office will serve as an important bridge for both sides to effectively implement upcoming programs.

At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Sam reviewed the key outcomes of collaboration between the two universities in recent years and proposed priority areas for strengthening cooperation in the future.

University leaders presenting flowers to the SWFU delegation on the occasion of Chinese Teachers' Day.

During the discussion session, the delegates expressed high appreciation for the potential of cooperation in a wide range of fields, including materials science and technology, the wood and furniture industry, forestry, forest resource management, ecology, economics, landscape architecture and urban greenery, as well as Chinese language training. The head of the delegation underscored the desire to expand faculty and student exchange programs, develop joint research projects, and enhance international publications in the near future, thereby contributing to a stronger, more substantive, and effective partnership between the two universities.

Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien and Prof. Dr. Ding Renzhan signing the cooperation agreement

Within the framework of the meeting, the two universities agreed to initiate and launch several important cooperative activities. A key highlight was the signing of a Cooperation Agreement to establish the International Research Office for Biomass Materials and the Training Office for Forestry Research and Chinese Language. The two sides also explored further opportunities for collaboration in education and scientific research, opening up new prospects for faculty members and students of both institutions.

On the same afternoon, the delegation held a working session with the College of Wood Industry and Interior Design to discuss potential cooperative programs in training, faculty and student exchanges, and scientific research.

SWFU comprises 18 member schools with a staff of more than 1,800, including 525 professors and associate professors. In recent years, the university has hosted and trained nearly 100 faculty members and students from VNUF through scientific conferences, forums, master's and doctoral programs, and short-term exchanges. In addition, SWFU has sent 11 professors and students to teach and study at VNUF.

Photos from the meeting