On the afternoon of April 17, 2026, the Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF) held an important working session with a leadership delegation from Urban Vocational College of Sichuan (China) and the Vietnam Training and Production Combined Technology Company Limited (VIETIE Group) to concretize cooperative programs in training and applied high-tech research.

Attending the meeting on behalf of VNUF were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President in charge of International Cooperation; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Quoc An, Deputy Secretary in charge of the Party Committee, along with representatives from relevant offices, faculties, and institutes. Representing the Chinese delegation and partners were Mr. Luo Ji (La Cat) – Dean of the School of Intelligent Manufacturing and Transportation (Urban Vocational College of Sichuan), along with other delegation members. Representing VIETIE Group were Mr. Tran Van Lam – Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Kong Shunwei (Khong Thuan Vi) – Vice Chairman of the Board.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Xuan Phuong introducing the VNUF delegates participating in the reception.

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa emphasized the importance of concretizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in March 2026. The University strongly believes in the tripartite cooperation model: Urban Vocational College of Sichuan (strengths in training programs), VNUF (ensuring enrollment and facilities), and VIETIE Group (corporate resources).

The core objective of this collaboration is to implement the "Chinese language + skills" training model, focusing on spearhead engineering sectors such as Mechatronics-Automation, smart automotive, and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

One of the most prominent topics discussed was the proposal to establish a Center or enhance collaborative research and training activities for UAV applications in agriculture, forestry, and the environment at VNUF.

Mr. Luo Jie introducing the strengths of Urban Vocational College of Sichuan.

Mr. Luo Jie, Dean of the School of Intelligent Manufacturing and Transportation (Urban Vocational College of Sichuan), stated that the college has deep practical experience in manufacturing and applying UAVs for forest monitoring, safety inspections, and transportation. The partner is ready to transfer technology and AI algorithms for forest resource monitoring, supporting VNUF to achieve a leading position in the "low-altitude economy" sector in Vietnam.

The expected areas for UAV application deployment include:

• Forest fire monitoring, exotic plant detection, and AI-driven forest resource management.
• Applications in cadastral surveying, mapping, and topography.
• Development of low-altitude logistics services and eco-tourism.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed and exchanged views on the implementation directions for training, specifically focusing on two main formats:

1. Short-term training (7-30 days): Focused on fostering professional skills ordered by enterprises, helping students familiarize themselves with modern production culture and standards to secure employment immediately upon graduation.
2. Long-term and degree training: Developing internationally distinctive joint training programs, integrating the curricula of both sides, moving towards mutual credit recognition and the issuance of dual degrees.

The Chinese partner also committed to supporting language (Chinese) and professional training through exchange programs and intensive training sessions for VNUF's staff and lecturers.

Concluding the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa requested the University's focal units to work closely with Urban Vocational College of Sichuan and VIETIE Group to finalize the detailed proposals for the three training programs (Mechatronics, Electric Vehicles, UAVs), while simultaneously completing the scheme to build the Center or enhance collaborative research and training activities on UAV applications in agriculture, forestry, and the environment at VNUF.

Collaborating with leading Chinese partners like Urban Vocational College of Sichuan - an institution consistently ranked in the Top 3 vocational colleges in China—promises to open outstanding academic and employment opportunities for VNUF students, while simultaneously enhancing the University's scientific research and technology transfer capacities in the digital era.

Some pictures from the working session