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With over half a century dedicated to Vietnamese culture, Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo, Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU) at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is known not only as a profound Vietnamologist but also as a pioneer in creating a university model with an international vision. Driven by his love for Vietnamese people and culture, he has helped connect the knowledge of the two nations, opening a new direction for Vietnamese higher education in the era of global integration.
Reporter:As the first foreigner to hold the position of Rector at a Vietnamese public university, how did you begin your work at VJU?
Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo: Having been closely involved with Vietnam for many years, I recognized that Vietnamese higher education is very strong in professional training but still limited in helping students develop global thinking and adaptability. Therefore, VJU chose a liberal education philosophy, focusing on developing students' critical thinking, international cooperation skills, and innovative spirit.
Reporter:How do you evaluate Vietnamese education today, in the context of global integration?
Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo: Vietnamese people are very eager to learn and have a long-standing educational foundation. Currently, higher education is undergoing a strong transformation with a spirit of reform and innovation. In some aspects, Vietnamese universities have been even more pioneering than those in Japan in quickly adapting to global trends. I believe that Vietnam will soon become an attractive destination for international students.
Reporter: Japanese Studies is considered your "brainchild" at VJU. What notable results has this program achieved?
Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo: Currently, Japanese Studies is the program with the largest number of students among VJU's nine undergraduate programs. We implement all three educational levels - bachelor's, master's, and doctoral - with a focus on contemporary Japanese research in relation to Vietnam, while placing special emphasis on Japanese language proficiency and bilateral cultural understanding. The quality of the program's training is now comparable to institutions with decades of tradition in this field.
Reporter: What orientations do you have to make VJU a destination for international students?
Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo: VJU's mission is to foster global human resources through Vietnam-Japan cooperation. Over the past 10 years, about 15% of the university's graduate students have come from more than 10 countries in Asia and Africa. We will continue to expand our international cooperation network, giving VJU a multicultural learning environment for the region.
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Reporter: On the occasion of the opening ceremony for the new 2025-2026 academic year, what message would you like to send to Vietnamese students?
Professor Dr. Furuta Motoo: I am always proud of Vietnamese students - who are intelligent, hardworking, and full of aspirations. I hope they continuously learn, innovate, and prepare to become global citizens, contributing to the development of the country and the region.
Along with the mission of the Vietnam-Japan University, I wish to contribute to nurturing global human resources through cooperation between Vietnam and Japan - individuals who possess not only knowledge and skills but also an open spirit, respect for multiculturalism, and an aspiration for the common future of humanity.
Reporter: Thank you very much!
