Speaking at the opening ceremony, VNU Vice President Pham Bao Son emphasized that ASEAN is standing at a historic turning point of “twin transformation”: digital and green transformation. According to him, artificial intelligence is not only a technological tool but also an emerging driving force for restructuring development models and a litmus test for each nation’s strategic autonomy.
In the context of intensifying global knowledge competition, sustainable advantages no longer lie in natural resources or population size, but in the quality of human capital and innovation capacity. VNU is currently taking the lead in building a “Knowledge Ecosystem”, promoting the “three-party” cooperation model (State - University – Enterprise). The University’s leadership believe that by integrating education, talent attraction, and the effective utilization of expertise, bottlenecks in regional development can be removed.
 |
|
VNU Vice President Pham Bao Son affirmed that the AsTW 2026 symbolizes the strategic partnership between VNU and Kyushu University, while also serving as a platform for the younger generation of ASEAN to cultivate critical thinking, cross-border collaboration skills, and a strong sense of regional responsibility. VNU’s role as host of the program reflects the substantive and sustained cooperation between the two universities, especially after the bilateral leaders’ meeting in September 2023, where both sides agreed to further strengthen student exchanges and joint initiatives.
Kyushu University Executive Vice President Iwata Kenji affirmed that AsTW reflects the University’s long-standing commitment to strengthening academic connectivity with ASEAN, regarding this as a strategic pillar in its internationalization policy.
According to Mr. Iwata Kenji, as global challenges become increasingly interdisciplinary and transnational in nature, universities must go beyond their traditional role as knowledge transmitters to become “platforms for co-creation” among nations, industries, and communities. He highly appreciated the role of VNU as a strategic partner in Vietnam and the region, and expressed confidence that close coordination between the two universities will help shape a dynamic, substantive, and in-depth ASEAN-Japan academic network.
Mr. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, highly appreciated the role of higher education institutions in sustaining and expanding the ASEAN-Japan cooperation network. He noted that the AsTW 2026 is taking place in a particularly significant period, when ASEAN began implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, oriented toward resilience, innovation, people-centered development, and sustainability.
According to him, young people account for approximately one-third of ASEAN’s population, representing a strategic asset of the Community. Today’s younger generation is digitally connected, globally aware, and deeply engaged in innovation. AsTW provides a platform for them to engage in dialogue on regional issues, build transnational networks, and foster a shared sense of responsibility for the future of ASEAN.
Held from March 2 to 12, 2026 in Hanoi, the AsTW 2026 brought together students, lecturers, and experts from ASEAN member states and Japan. Through a series of thematic lectures, interactive seminars, multicultural group projects, and field activities, the program is an open academic space where knowledge, culture, and critical thinking converge to analyze major regional challenges, including digital and green transformation, climate change, inclusive growth, and narrowing development gaps.
VNU Vice President Pham Bao Son said that the co-hosting of the AsTW 2026 has once again affirmed the position of VNU as an academic hub capable of connecting regional initiatives, proactively engaging in multilateral forums, and advancing the internationalization of higher education. By organizing the academic exchange program, VNU is working closely with its partners to build a sustainable cooperation ecosystem, contributing to the development of the next generation of leaders who are capable, responsible, and united in their aspiration to build a resilient, inclusive, and innovative ASEAN Community.
