Within the framework of strengthening international cooperation in education and scientific research, Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF) welcomed and worked with a delegation from the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania (Italy), and jointly organized an academic seminar entitled "Nanomaterials and Advanced Applications" on the afternoon of February 2, 2026, at the University.

At the meeting held on the morning of February 2, 2026, the VNUF delegation included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Toai, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Sam, Director of International Cooperation Division; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Xuan Phuong, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Division; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hai Hoa, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Forest Resources and Environmental Management; Dr. Phan Duy Hung, Deputy Dean of the College of Wood Industry and Interior Design; and Mr. Pham Van Hung, M.Sc., Deputy Director of Post-Graduate Study Division. The University of Catania delegation consisted of Assoc. Prof. Cristina Satriano, Assoc. Prof. Luisa D'Urso, and Prof. Salvatore Scirè. During the meeting, both sides introduced their respective strengths in education and research and discussed potential areas of cooperation, including faculty and student exchange, joint training programs, short-term internships, and the development of collaborative research directions.

The activity was conducted within the framework of the LEGO-TNE Cooperation Programme "Italy–East Asia Cooperation: From Local Expertise to a Global Outlook." This programme aims to promote collaboration between Italian higher education institutions and partners in East Asia through academic exchange, education, and research activities, thereby enhancing internationalization capacity and creating positive impacts on the scientific community as well as sustainable development at both local and global levels.

The LEGO-TNE programme focuses on three main thematic pillars: (i) languages and cultures; (ii) science and technology for sustainable development; and (iii) management and economics for society. Among these, science and technology, engineering, energy, and environmental fields are identified as priority areas, aligning well with VNUF's education and research orientations.

During their working visit, the University of Catania delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with VNUF leadership and specialized units on the establishment of joint research groups, international co-publications, and gradual steps toward developing joint training programs in the future, opening up many practical and long-term cooperation opportunities between the two universities.

Academic Seminar: "Nanomaterials and Advanced Applications"

The highlight of the visit was the specialized academic seminar "Nanomaterials and Advanced Applications," held on the afternoon of Monday, February 2, 2026, in Meeting Room 403, Building A1.

At the seminar, professors from the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, delivered in-depth presentations updating the latest research trends in nanomaterials, catalysis, energy, and environmental applications, including:

1. Bioinspired and Smart materials for health, energy, and environmental technologies.

2. Plasmonic nanomaterials for advanced sensing and energy applications.

3. Advanced sustainable catalysis for environmental and energy systems.

The presentations were delivered by:

• Assoc. Prof. Cristina Satriano
• Assoc. Prof. Luisa D'Urso
• Prof. Salvatore Scirè

The seminar attracted wide participation from VNUF lecturers, students, master's students, and doctoral candidates. The presentations were highly interdisciplinary, closely linked to materials technology, energy, environmental science, and sustainable development, and provided many valuable insights for future research collaboration.

Through the visit, working sessions, and academic activities, both sides agreed to continue strengthening information exchange, establishing joint research groups, and gradually concretizing the discussed cooperation contents, thereby contributing to the promotion of internationalization in education and scientific research at Vietnam National University of Forestry.

Some photos from the visit and working sessions of the delegation