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From doctoral training and the development of AI - computing infrastructure to the co-development of academic curricula and the strengthening of East Asian scholarly connections, the two universities are expanding their collaboration beyond the traditional framework of academic exchange toward building a shared ecosystem of knowledge and innovation in the digital era.
The cooperative relationship between VNU and Peking University is regarded as one of the most exemplary and profound academic partnerships in East Asia. Both universities are founding members of the BESETOHA University Presidents’ Forum, a cooperative mechanism that has played an important role in promoting academic dialogue, cultural exchange, and intellectual connectivity among the region’s leading universities.
Speaking at the meeting, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of VNU Party Committee, and VNU President Bui The Duy emphasized that the attendance of the Peking University delegation, led by Party Secretary He Guangcai, at the 120th anniversary celebration of VNU carried special significance. The presence of one of Asia’s leading universities at this historic event not only demonstrated the importance attached to the bilateral cooperation, but also reflected the shared aspiration for long-term partnership between the two institutions that play key roles in the higher education systems of their respective countries.
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He noted that as the global higher education enters a period of profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence and digital technologies, cooperation among universities must move beyond the traditional framework of academic exchange toward jointly building research capacity, innovation ecosystems, and new knowledge platforms.
Party Secretary and Chair of the University Council of Peking University He Guangcai highly appreciated the position and academic reputation of VNU within the region. He noted that Peking University has established cooperative and academic exchange relationships with more than 400 universities and research institutes across over 70 countries and territories worldwide, among which, VNU is considered one of the university’s important partners in its international cooperation and exchange network. He also affirmed that Peking University wishes to further expand cooperation with VNU in strategic fields of the future such as artificial intelligence, data science, digital technology, and high-quality human resource training.
Based on their shared aspiration to strengthen friendly relations and promote scientific research and academic exchange between the two universities, VNU and Peking University agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on joint doctoral training, aiming to develop flexible and modern international training models closely integrated with substantive research.
VNU proposed that Peking University promote doctoral training programs in such fields as artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and data science. VNU also expressed its hope that the Chinese side would support Vietnamese doctoral candidates in conducting research at Chinese laboratories and technology centers through scholarship mechanisms and financial assistance programs.
According to the agreement, the two universities will promote various forms of doctoral training cooperation depending on the strengths of each institution, while also considering possible mechanisms for credit recognition, support for doctoral student exchanges, and joint degree granting in accordance with the regulations of both sides.
The two universities also agreed to strengthen coordination in organizing academic lectures, scientific conferences, young scholar exchange programs, and the development of joint research groups and co-authored scientific publications in their respective areas of strength.
In addition, both sides will cooperate in seeking support from government agencies, international organizations, and enterprises to develop joint doctoral training programs in the coming years.
VNU President Bui The Duy proposed that both sides soon translate the agreement into concrete programs and clear implementation roadmaps, while also leveraging the accompanying role of enterprises, particularly Sunwah Group, in providing scholarships, research support, and doctoral student exchange opportunities. He noted that in the context of increasingly intense competition for high-quality human resources, the development of international doctoral programs associated with strong research groups would contribute to enhancing the scientific capacity and academic standing of both universities in the region.
The leaders of both sides also agreed that university cooperation in the new era should be more closely linked with enterprises and innovation ecosystems in order to promote technology transfer, commercialization of research outcomes, and the creation of startups and spin-off enterprises based on shared technological solutions.
On this occasion, VNU University of Languages and International Studies and Peking University also exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on the co-development and publication of a Chinese-language textbook series for Vietnamese learners.
Under the agreement, the two sides will also jointly develop a systematic Chinese-language textbook series tailored to the cultural characteristics, learning needs, and language habits of Vietnamese learners, from beginner to advanced levels. The expected textbooks are to be designed to combine language training with the introduction of both Chinese and Vietnamese cultures, while also integrating digital learning resources such as videos, online lectures, and electronic exercises in response to the digital transformation trend in foreign language education.
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Notably, Peking University was among the first educational institutions in China to offer Vietnamese Language Studies and continues to maintain a team of lecturers and experts in Vietnamese Studies and the Vietnamese language. Both sides expect that the joint development of the textbook series will contribute to strengthening linguistic and cultural exchanges as well as academic understanding among students of the two countries.
Within the framework of cooperation, Peking University will provide academic experts, teaching materials, and support for editing and publication, while VNU University of Languages and International Studies will participate in developing localized content, conducting academic review, and implementing pilot teaching programs in Vietnam.
At the meeting, VNU and Peking University also discussed plans to resume the BESETOHA Forum in 2027. Under its new orientation, the forum will not only serve as a gathering place for leaders of leading East Asian universities, but also aim to build a strategic dialogue platform on higher education, artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainable development in the region.
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