Kumamoto University Alumni Association in Vietnam established
On October 28, 2023, Kumamoto University Alumni Association in Vietnam (KUAV) was established as the third overseas alumni organization of Kumamoto University followed by the one in China and in Indonesia. To commemorate this occasion, the establishment ceremony was held attended by former exchange students, representatives from Vietnam Association of Japan Alumni (VAJA) and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), and President Hisao Ogawa.
In the first part of the ceremony, Dr. Leu Tho Bach, Associate Professor of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, who became the first president of KUAV, gave opening remarks and introduced the activities of KUAV. Then President Ogawa gave complimentary address followed by Dr. Phan Tung Nghia, Vice Chairman of VAJA and Dr. Nghiem Ha Tan, Deputy Head of International Cooperation Department of HUCE gave complimentary addresses.
After that, Dr. Jun Otani, Executive Vice President for research and global strategy gave the certificate to certify KUAV as the alumni organization of Kumamoto University (KU) to Dr. Leu. Then, KUAV gave watercolor painting of the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School drawn by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Duong, a former exchange student and a watercolor painter, to President Ogawa as a memorial gift.
In the second part of the ceremony, Dr. Otani gave a talk as “Kumamoto University -in a period of Change” to report recent KU, then Dr. Kenji Furukawa, Professor Emeritus of KU and accepted many students from Vietnam gave a special lecture titled “Expectation on Kumamoto University Alumni Association in Vietnam”
At the reception held afterwards, Dr. Leo gave an opening remarks and Dr. Furukawa gave a toast. Participants enjoyed the interactive exchanges.
This year, 2023, is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. The establishment ceremony of KUAV is certified as the 50th anniversary event to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Vietnam in the areas of culture, education, and science and others.
KU will continue to promote exchange and friendship among KUAV, as well as promote cooperation with partner universities in Vietnam which the alumni belong, in order to develop not only the exchange between KU and Vietnam, but also education and research in both Japan and Vietnam.
The special website for the 50th anniversary for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam (Japanese and Vietnamese only)
Giving Certificate from Vice President Otani to Dr. Leu
Memorial Gift of watercolor painting
Special Lecture by Dr. Furukawa
Group Photo