On the afternoon of April 14, 2026, as Tsinghua University approaches the 115th anniversary of its founding, the China-Vietnam Forum on Higher Education Cooperation and Scientific Innovation was held, jointly organized by Tsinghua University and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The sub-forum entitled "Environment and Sustainable Development", hosted by Tsinghua's School of Environment and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, aimed to explore collaboration in talent development, research cooperation, and faculty-student exchange between Chinese and Vietnamese universities. The forum was co-chaired by Professor Liu Shuming, Dean of Tsinghua's School of Environment, and Professor Mai Thanh Phong, President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

Event Highlights

Professor Liu Shuming introduced the development of the School of Environment, stating that the School has a profound academic heritage, with disciplinary strength gradually reaching the world's forefront. In recent years, it has particularly focused on cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields such as "AI + Environment" and has shifted the research paradigm from traditional end-of-pipe treatment to a comprehensive approach focusing on source prevention, green low-carbon solutions, and systemic governance. He expressed hope that both sides could use this forum as an opportunity to align their research strengths, deepen cooperation in joint research, talent development, and platform construction, and promote regional ecological governance and sustainable development.

President Mai Thanh Phong，in his keynote speech, highlighted the increasingly prominent challenges posed by global climate change and environmental pollution, noting that sustainable development has become a core developmental task for all countries. He suggested that universities in Vietnam and China could deepen cooperation in four key areas: building a green energy research and development alliance, enhancing collaboration in circular economy, cultivating professionals for green transitions, and fostering expert exchanges and academic dialogue. Through higher education collaboration, both countries can jointly promote sustainable development.

During the interactive exchange session, participants engaged in extensive discussions on common environmental challenges, joint talent cultivation, collaborative research efforts, shared governance experiences, academic platforms co-construction, ecological protection, and mechanisms for long-term collaboration.

MOU Signing Ceremony

At the conclusion of the forum, Professor Liu Shuming and President Hoang Tung of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of both parties. They will engage in faculty and student exchange, resource sharing, and joint research initiatives in the fields of ecological protection and sustainable development.

Nearly 40 participants attended the forum, including representatives from Vietnamese universities and enterprises, and representatives from Tsinghua University's School of Environment and Vietnamese students studying at Tsinghua University.