Within the framework of a working visit to strengthen connections and foster cooperation with Korean partners, the delegation from the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang, had a working session with Soongsil University (SSU), Korea, on the morning of October 30, 2024, to discuss potential collaborations.

The VKU delegation took a commemorative photo with representatives from Soongsil University (SSU), Korea.

The delegation included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector, along with head of the Department of Science, Technology & International Cooperation, and head of the Department of Planning & Finance of the university.

Representatives from Soongsil University (SSU), Korea—including Prof. Shin Yoan, President; Prof. Yoo Kiwoong, Vice President of Training Affairs; Prof. Yu Taikis, Vice President of International Cooperation; and Ms. Yunsun Olivia Lee, Manager of the Office of Exchange and International Relations—warmly welcomed the delegation, highlighting the strong friendship between Vietnam and Korea.

At the meeting, Prof. Shin Yoan, President of SSU, warmly welcomed the delegation and fondly recalled the collaborative programs that SSU previously undertook with VKU under the Korean Government’s ODA project, Phase 2 (2013-2020), with a total investment of 5.2 million USD. This partnership achieved numerous goals, including faculty training, curriculum and program development, provision of equipment, training technology, research initiatives, and the organization of volunteer student exchange activities—all of which have contributed to VKU’s growth and development. Prof. Shin emphasized that SSU remains a strategic partner and looks forward to continued cooperation with VKU in the future.

Overview of the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector of VKU, expressed his sincere gratitude to SSU for the warm welcome extended to the delegation and acknowledged SSU’s contributions to the successful implementation of the Korean Government’s ODA project, Phase 2. He shared that VKU, established in 2020 through the merger of several institutions, has, over nearly five years, become a focal point in the friendly relationship between the two countries, benefiting from active cooperation and investment from the Korean Government’s ODA in education and training. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap highlighted that VKU’s admission standards rank among the highest in the Central region and nationwide, with an average score of 24 out of 30 across 16 majors and minors, including high-demand areas such as Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor Design, and Cybersecurity. VKU currently enrolls nearly 7,000 students, with a projected increase to 8,000-10,000 students by 2027. The university has strengthened scientific research and collaboration with strategic partners across Southeast Asia, linking many Korean enterprises to training and recruitment activities. Moreover, frequent cultural exchange programs and volunteer activities between VKU and Korean students foster academic reputation and community engagement at VKU. He also noted that VKU is currently implementing a project, with $7.7 million in non-refundable ODA funding from the Korean Government through KOICA, to strengthen academic development of VKU with regard to ICT education, research and governance for the 2022-2027 period.

With a commitment to becoming a prestigious university that supplies high-quality human resources to the global market, with a particular focus on Korea, VKU aspires to deepen cooperation with SSU, building on their established partnership. VKU seeks to collaborate on developing 2+2 and 3+1 joint training programs in fields such as Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Microelectronic Design, Computer Engineering, Business Administration, and Financial Technology. This includes opportunities for lecturer exchanges for short-term courses, inviting professors to participate in thesis defense committees, and organizing annual academic and cultural exchange programs for both students and faculty. Additionally, VKU hosts the CITA International Conference, a significant event launched in 2012 and now in its 14th year, attracting scientists and researchers from 40 countries and territories worldwide.

The working meeting concluded with a strong consensus and commitment from both sides to move forward with a shared vision for expanding cooperation between VKU and SSU. VKU’s Rector extended a warm invitation to SSU’s leadership to visit, collaborate, and sign an MoU to formalize these initiatives. Both institutions look forward to building a model of international educational cooperation that contributes to educational advancement in both countries as well as the region.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication 

Soongsil University (SSU) was first established on October 10, 1897, in Pyongyang. It was re-established as Soongsil Private School in April 1954 in Korea and was renamed Soongsil University in November 1986, as it is known today.

With nearly 130 years of history, Soongsil University is the oldest university in Korea and a prestigious educational institution, with only about 7-12% of university entrance exam candidates fortunate enough to gain admission. The university is particularly renowned for its programs in Computer Science and Business, offering many attractive scholarship opportunities. Throughout its history, Soongsil University has achieved significant milestones, including:

• Being the first university to establish a Computer Science department in Korea, currently ranked second only to Seoul National University.

• Ranking 29th in Korea and 1681st in the global rankings for 2024, with a score in the TOP 50% across 86 research topics.

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