Vietnam
Country Strategy Identification
Mission
7-18 november 2011
FINAL REPORT
Ruddi Vaes
Nguyen Van Thang
Table of contents
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
ii
List of Annexes
vi
1.
1
2.
3.
The Identification Mission in Brief: Framework, Preparations and Activities
1.1.
The Broader Framework of the Country Strategy Identification Mission
1
1.2.
The Preparatory Process to the Country Strategy Identification Mission
5
1.3.
The Mission Programme and Activities
6
Vietnam Strategy Main Strategic Niche Topics
9
2.1.
The Alignment with the Vietnamese Development and HE Policies and Strategies
9
2.2.
The Consultations with the Flemish and Vietnamese Stakeholders as Basis for the Matching 9
2.3.
The Proposed Vietnam Country Strategy Thematic Areas
2.4.
The Coverage of the Country Strategy Thematic Areas by Thematic Institutional Networks as
12
Innovative VLIR-UOS Cooperation Tools
15
2.5.
18
The Country Strategy Niche Sub-Areas under the Respective CS Thematic Areas
Country Strategy Transversal Support Themes
20
3.1.
The Transversal Support Themes in the Country Strategy
20
3.2.
The Integration and Mainstreaming of Transversal Support Themes in the Country Strategy
23
4.
5.
6.
Special Attention Points for the Country Strategy
25
4.1.
General Special Concerns in the Country Strategy
25
4.2.
The Country Stragey and the VLIR-UOS Cooperation Key Result Areas
27
Potential for Institutional University Cooperation (IUC)
35
5.1.
The Sources of HEs/RIs Institutional Screening and the IUC Selection Criteria
35
5.2.
The Recommended IUC University
36
5.3.
The IUC Programme Components and Areas of Special Concern
37
The Vietnam Country Strategy Decomposition and VLIR-UOS Toolbox
39
6.1.
The Country Strategy Decomposition
39
6.2.
The Phased Introduction of Thematic Institutional Networks
39
6.3.
The Vietnam Country Strategy Summary Matrix of CS Tools
40
6.4.
The Institutional Anchoring of the Vietnam Country Strategy and Coordination
42
6.5.
Vietnam Country Strategy Summary Overview
45
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
i
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
ASEAN
Association of South-East Asian Nations
BA
Bachelor of Arts
BSc.
Bachelor of Science
BTCCTB
Belgian Technical Cooperation
CD
Compact Disk
CO
Community Outreach
CS
Country Strategy
CTG
Close the Gap (VLIR programme)
CTU
Can Tho University
DAC
Development Assistance Committee (of the OECD)
DE
Distant Education
DGD
Directorate General for Development Cooperation (the former DGDC)
DR
Development Relevance
DVD
Digital Versatile Disc
E-
Electronic …
EC
European Commission
EI
Own Initiative Project (Eigen Initiatief Project)
EU
European Union
EUR
Euro
FWO
Research Foundation Flanders (Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek)
GIS
Geographic Information System
HCMC
Ho Chi Minh City
HDI
Human Development Index (UNDP)
HEI
Higher Education Institute
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
HRD
Human Resources Development
HRM
Human Resources Management
HU
Hue University
HUA
Hanoi University of Agriculture
HUT
Hanoi University of Technology (now HUST)
HUST
Hanoi University of Science and Technology (before HUT)
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
ii
ICOS
Instellingscoördinator Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (entity within the Flemish
universities in charge of the coordination of university development cooperation)
ICP
Ìndicative Cooperation Programme (DGD)
ICT
Information and Communication Technology
IS
Institutional Strengthening
IUC
Institutional University Co-operation
JSCM
Joint Steering Committee Meeting
KPI
Key Performance Indicator
KRA
Key Result Area
KUL
University of Louvain (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
LAN
Local Area Network
LFA
Logical Framework Analysis / Approach
LLL
Life Long Learning
LogFrame
Logical Framework
LUC
Limburg University Centre (Limburgs Universitair Centrum)
M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation
MBA
Master of Business Administration
MCH
Maternal and Child Health
MDG
Millennium Development Goal
MHO
Dutch programme on international university co-operation
MoET
Ministry of Education and Training
MoST
Ministry of Science and Technology
MoU
Memorandum of Understanding
MOV
Means of Verification (LogFrame)
MSc.
Master of Sciences
MTE
Mid-Term Evaluation
N.A.
Not Applicable
N.I.
No Information available
NAFOSTED
Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development
NEI
National Economic University
NGO
Non-Governmental Organisation
NIHE
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
N-N-S
North-North-South
N-S
North-South
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
iii
N-S-S
North-South-South
NSSCF
North South South Cooperation Fund
NUFFIC
Dutch counterpart of the VLIR
OD
Organisational Development
OECD
Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development
OI
Own Initiative (now also referred to as TEAM Initiative)
OVI
Objectively Verifiable Indicator
PAR
Public Administration Reform
PC
Personal Computer
PCM
Programme/Project Cycle Management
PHC
Primary Health Care
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
PME
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
PMES
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System
PRSP
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
PSU
Programme Support Unit
Q&A
Question and Answer
RET
Research, Extension and Training
RI
Reseach Institute
RIA
Research Institute for Aquaculture
RIP
Research Initiative Programme
RUG
University of Ghent (Rijksuniversiteit Gent)
S-S
South-South
SI
South Initiative
SS
Social Security
SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis
TIN
Thematic Institutional Network
TOR / ToR
Terms of Reference
UA
University of Antwerp
UC
University College (= “Universitaire Hogeschool”)
UCOS
University Centre for Development Co-operation (Universitair Centrum voor
Ontwikkelingssamenwerking)
UDC
University Development Co-operation
UNDP
United Nations Development Fund
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
iv
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UOS
Universitaire Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (= UDC)
USD
United States Dollar
VASS
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
VAST
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
VET
Vocational Education and Training
VI
Vietnam
ViBeFOOD
Vietnam - Belgium Food Network
ViFINET
Vietnam Food Institutional Network
VLIR
Flemish Interuniversity Council (Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad)
VND
Vietnamese Dong
VNU
Vietnam National University
VUB
University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
VVOB
Vereniging voor Opleidingsprogramma’s in het Buitenland (Flemish Association for
Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance)
WAN
Wide Area Network
WWW
World Wide Web
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
v
List of Annexes
1.
Mission programme outline
2.
Vietnam strategy summary status report
3.
VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy regional consultation meetings and national
conference - Practical information: Programme, List of background materials, List of
Participants, and Group discussion guidelines
4.
Outputs of the discussion groups and plenum discussions of the two local seminars and the
national conference on the Vietnam country strategy
5.
List of presentations on the occasion of the regional consultation meetings and the national
conference on the Vietnam country strategy (by the mission team members and local
stakeholders), with web-links
6.
Summary mission monitoring sheets of Vietnamese HEIs/RIs attending the local seminars
and compliance with institutional fact sheet submission.
7.
Completed Vietnamese HEIs/RIs Institutional Fact Sheets
8.
Selective concept notes on various topics / components of the Vietnam country strategy
received from visited or contacted Vietnamese HEIs/RIs or from Flemish HEIs
9.
Proceedings of the main interview meetings with the visited Vietnamese HEIs / RIs
10.
Presentations by the Vietnamese HEIs/RIs made on the occasion of the VLIR-UOS Country
Strategy Mission visits
11.
Summary overview of Vietnam higher education policies and strategies as broader
framework of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy
12.
Summary overview of Vietnam poverty reduction and socio-economic development policies
and strategies as broader framework of the country strategy with Vietnam
13.
Summary notes on Vietnam sectoral / thematic policies of special relevance to the VLIRUOS Vietnam country strategy
14.
Special points of attention for the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy with Vietnam emanating from
the consultations with Flemish and Vietnamese HEIs/RIs and other stakeholders, clustered
by VLIR-UOS Standard Key Result Area (KRA)
15.
Summary overview of niche thematic sub-areas with high potential win-win added value for
both Vietnamese and Flemish stakeholders, clustered by country strategy main thematic
area.
16.
Brief presentation of HUE University as recommended VLIR-UOS Institutional University
Cooperation (IUC) Programme partner university under the Vietnam Country Strategy
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
vi
17.
The phased introduction of Thematic Institutional Networks in the VLIR-UOS Vietnam
Country strategy and programme
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
vii
1. The Identification Mission in Brief:
Framework, Preparations and Activities
1.1. The Broader Framework of the Country Strategy
Identification Mission
The Evolved VLIR-UOS Policy and Strategy Framework for the Vietnam Country Strategy: The
Vietnam Country Strategy Identification Mission of 07 to 18 November 2011 on which is reported here
is part and parcel of a structured, multi-phased VLIR-UOS country strategy development process of
which the operational phase started early this year 2011. The broader policy framework is formed by
the 22 April 2010 Policy Agreement with the Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation which will
take effect on 01 January 2013. In accordance with the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid
Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda of Action, the VLIR-UOS university cooperation is to be anchored
in and aligned with the national / regional development planning and strategies of the partner countries
concerned. The country strategies follow a holistic, integrated programmatic approach, away from the
earlier individual stand-alone actions, and will be implemented along rolling planning principles with
earmarked allocations. The new policy also pursues concentration of the university cooperation, both
geographically and thematically. An important element of the broader policy and strategy framework of
the VLIR-UOS cooperation with Vietnam was the visit of the Presidents of the Flemish Universities to
Vietnam of 09-17 April 2011. The Presidents visited on this occasion a number of Higher Education
Institutes and Research Institutes (HEIs/RIs). One of the outcomes of the visit was the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on university cooperation between Belgium/Flanders and
Vietnam.
The Vietnam Socio-Economic Development Policies and Strategies: The main overall national
development strategy document is the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2011-2020, which
is further operationalized in a series of regional socio-economic development master plans.1 The
strategy was approved by the 11th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam of January 2011. The
strategy document consists of the following six main sections: (i) Domestic and global context, (ii)
Development viewpoints, (iii) Strategic development objectives and main activities, (iv) Directions for
social economic development, innovation of growth model, and restructuring of the economy; (v)
Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of state management to ensure the success of the
strategy, and (vi) Strategy implementation.
Poverty Reduction Policy and Programme: The main updated poverty reduction policy and programme
documents are: (i) The resolution of 19 May 2011 setting the strategic directions for sustainable
poverty reduction in the period from 2011 to 2020 (including the increase of per capita income of poor
households by 3.5 times and a 2% annual decrease of the national poverty rate); (ii) The 30A
programme to support rapid and sustainable poverty reduction for the 61 poor districts nationwide,
spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA); and (ii)The Poverty
Reduction National Target Programme approved in December 2010. The highlights of these three
1
More details and a more in-depth analysis of these strategies and plans are presented under
Annex 12.2 to this report.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
1
documents are presented under annex 12.1, which also includes a summary overview table of the
main policy documents concerned between 1998 and 2011.
Box 1 : Vietnam Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2011-2020:
Main Development Directions
Directions for socio-economic development innovation of the growth model, and restructuring of the economy:
 To improve the institutions of the socialist oriented market economy, ensuring macroeconomic stability;
mobilization and efficient use of resources;
 To develop industries in terms of modernization, quality and competitiveness;
 To develop a comprehensive agricultural sector towards modernization, enhanced effectiveness and
sustainability;
 To develop the service sector, especially high value, high potential, and highly competitive services;
 To rapidly develop infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure;
 To harmoniously and sustainably develop the regions, and to build “new urban” and “new rural”
communities;
 To comprehensively develop culture and society in harmony with economic development;
 To vigorously develop the health sector; improve the quality of people's health care services;
- To improve the quality of human resources; comprehensively innovate and rapidly develop education and
training;
- To develop science and technology and making science and technology to become key and dynamic
drivers for rapid and sustainable development;
- To protect and improve environmental quality, to actively respond to climate change and prevent natural
disasters;
Vietnam
Sectoral / Thematic Policies: A series of summary notes on Vietnam sectoral / thematic
- To maintain independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and unity; to keep security and political
policies
of
special
relevance
to the external
VLIR-UOS
Vietnam
countryintegrate
strategyand
areempower
presented
underatAnnex 13
order, social
security;
to expand
relations
and actively
Vietnam
international
level.The notes cover: (i) Food and nutrition; (ii) Biotechnology; (iii) Public health; (iv)
for ready
reference.
Natural resources and climate change; (v) Science and technology, and (vi) Agriculture (including
aquaculture). For each of these strategies the general objectives, specific objectives and main tasks
are provided, including key performance indicators when available. Just by way of example, are
summarily presented in the below Box 2: (1) The directions and objectives of the master plan for
science and technology by 2015, and (2) The general and specific objectives of the master plan for the
development and application of biotechnology in Vietnam to 2020.
Box 2 : Examples of Excerpts of Vietnam Sectoral / Thematic Policies of Direct Relevance
to the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy: Objectives regarding Science and Technology,
and regarding Biotechnology (just by way of illustration)
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
2
A. Directions and Objectives of Science and Technology to 2015
 Directions
- At the basis: Organisational reform and enhanced management practices for science and
technology activities; Focus on policies, organisational structure of science and technology;
- Investments for studies in basic science with focus on the needs of developing suitable processes;
Focus on developing science and technology to serve/improve security, defense and other public
purposes;
- Mobilize resources for carrying out approved science and technology programmes, such as
programmes on national products, high tech development, technology reform, technology market
development, quality improvement of products, national targeted programme on intellectual assets,
programme on technology transfer to serve the development of rural and mountainous areas, and
technological integration programme;
- Increase national science and technology capacity, by combining training, research, and
production; Development of the technological market;
Objectives

- The number of registered patents increases by 1.5 times, compared to the number in the period
2006-2010; Develop 4,000 national standards, of which 45% follow international standards; Issue
1,000 technical standards;
A. Directions and Objectives of Science and Technology to 2015 (continued)
 Objectives (continued)
- 60% of the research in the field of natural sciences and 20% of the research in the field of social
sciences have their results published in international standard journals; Establishment of about 10
research institutes in the big universities having the capacity to meet international standards;
- Completion of all targets/objectives of the approved programmes and the national targeted
programme on science and technology;
- Create 3,000 technological enterprises, of which 70% come from universities and research
institutes; Annual growth rate of technology (related) transactions in the technological market by
15-17%;
- Create 30 R&D centers/institutes with modern equipments, and with research capacity to deal with
national technological issues, and meeting international standards.
B. Specific Objectives of the Master Plan for Biotechnology to 2020:
 By 2015:
- Acquiring and mastering the basis of modern and advanced biotechnology;
- Producing valuable technology for production and daily life;
- Continue applying bio-technology in various fields to promote socio-economic development and
environmental protection;
- Establishing a research centre for biotechnology meeting ASEAN regional standards;
- Developing a bio-industry, ensuring production of key bio-products with high quality and high
competitiveness, good services to consumers and for export.
 By 2020:
- Training sufficient human resources in biotechnology of high quality, competency, creativity and
mastery of the technology, effectively contributing to socio-economic development, human health
and environmental protection;
- Establishing a research centre for biotechnology which meets modern international standards;
- Highly developed bio-industry with increased production capacity of main essential products for the
national economy.
The Vietnam Higher Education (HE) Policies and Strategies: Under Annex 11 to this report a summary
overview of the main Vietnam Higher Education policies and strategies is provided. The overview
especially focuses on the Higher Education Reform Agenda (HERA – Resolution 14 of 2005). Below
is an overview of the HERA (a) Key principles, (b) Key goals and objectives, and (c) Strategic targets:
a) Key Principles: The HERA key principles to guide the reform policies and strategies on Higher
Education in Vietnam are summarized in the document as follows:
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
3
1. The reform of higher education shall contribute to the development of high quality human
resources with appropriate knowledge and skills for economic development;
2. The reform is a process of modernization of HE, changing approaches to HE, helping each
institution and the whole system to improve. The HE system should find a right balance between
learning great international experiences and conserving Vietnamese traditional values;
3. The HE shall be practical and effective. The HE shall develop non-state institutions and provide
opportunities for the whole society to participate in;
4. Reform of HE management to give institutions more autonomy and responsibility, increase each
institution’s competitiveness, and separating government management from institution
management;
5. The reform shall be conducted covering all aspects: Finding a right balance between increasing
quantity and improving quality, between ensuring effectiveness and equity.
6. The reform shall promote the participation of all stakeholders, including teachers, researchers,
students, and others.
b) Key Goals and Objectives: The main objectives of the strategy of the Higher Education Reform
Agenda can be summarized as:
1. A drastic increase in capacity to enable an increase of the participation rate in higher education
(or tertiary education) institutions, which implies huge investments in infrastructure and in
training of new lecturers and faculty;
2. Simultaneous increase in quality and/or efficiency of the system;
3. The distinction between research and professional oriented universities. Reinforcement of
research in universities in order to better train the future new teachers, to enrich and upgrade
present teachers teaching, and to upgrade the quality level and international visibility of
Vietnamese universities, and;
4. Improved governance of the higher education and research system at both national and
regional levels, as well as of universities.
c) Strategic Targets: In HERA, the Vietnamese Government has set the following targets for the
higher education sector:
 450 college / university students per 10,000 people;
 70 - 80% of the students follow professional oriented programmes;
 40% of the students are in non-state institutions;
 Revenue from science and technology activities increased to 15 percent of total university
revenue by 2010, and to 25 percent by 2020;
 The proportion of university teaching staff with masters level degrees increased to 40 percent by
2010, and to 60 percent by 2020;
 The proportion of university teaching staff with doctoral level degrees increased to 25 percent by
2010, and to 35 percent by 2020;
 The ratio of university students to teaching staff is reduced to 20:1 by 2020.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
4
Factual Information on Higher Education in Vietnam: Under Annex 11 is furthermore provided a
summary matrix of goals, objectives and Key Performance Indicators of the main policies and
strategies on Higher Education in Vietnam. This overview covers 13 HE policy / strategy documents
issued in the period 2005-2011 plus the law on high technology of 2008. Factual information on the
organisation of Higher Education in Vietnam is provided in the Vietnam Country Fact Sheet report
which has been prepared by VLIR-UOS Secretariat as part of the inclusive country strategy
preparation process. These facts and figures are not repeated here in order to avoid duplication.
New VLIR-UOS Cooperation Instruments and Partners: The VLIR-UOS Think Tank meetings of late
last year and recently of 04 October 2011 on new cooperation modalities and instruments with the
developing partner countries proved of special relevance to the VLIR-UOS country strategies and
programmes formulation processes, in as much as they resulted, amongst others, in the design of a
new cooperation instrument: Thematic Institutional Networking (TIN). These TINS turn out to be one of
the more appropriate and cornerstone instruments of a country strategy with a lower middle income
country as Vietnam.
Complementarity with Strategies of Other Development Partners: Another key principle of the new
cooperation strategy, also in line with the principles of Aid Effectiveness laid down in the Paris
Declaration, is the alignment and complementarity of the country strategy and programme with those
of other Development Partners. This in first instance pertains to the bilateral cooperation strategy of
Belgium with Vietnam, as laid down in the DGD Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP) for the
period 2011 – 2015. Focal sector 2 on good governance and the facility for capacity building are of
special relevance to the VLIR-UOS higher education cooperation strategy and programme with
Vietnam. Other main Development Partners include the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTCCTB),
CIUF, VVOB, FWO, Non Government Organisations, and international DPs as the European Union
and its Member States and the multilateral organisations.
1.2. The Preparatory Process to the Country Strategy
Identification Mission
Building on the Desk and the Flemish Stakeholders Consultation Phases: For the strategizing of the
identification mission, the knowledge gained from the desk study and from the stakeholders
consultations in Flanders in the period from July to September as summarized in the latest updated
version of the Vietnam Strategy Summary Report 1, was built on. The selection of Vietnamese
HEIs/RIs visited during the country mission and/or invited to the structured events (regional
consultative meetings and national conference) to a large extent was based on the recommendations
emanating from the consultations with the Flemish HEIs/RIs. Special tools to rationalize this matching
and to organise the consultations and events based on the pre-identified and other individual and
institutional contacts, have been developed by the team.2 Special monitoring tools enabled followingup on these contacts to ensure representative participation of the identified HEIs/RIs in the three
above-mentioned country strategy development consultative events. 3
1
Copy of which is included under Annex 2
See for example the spreadsheet under Annex 6.1 “Invitations to CS Conferences /
Consultative Meetings: List of Special Vietnamese Contact Persons Indicated by Flemish Partner HEIs
/ Stakeholders per HEI” .
3
The table under Annex 6.3 is such monitoring instrument
2
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
5
The Structured Preparation and Consultative Process Prior to the Identification Mission: Amongst the
main preparatory activities of the comprehensive and consultative Country Strategy development
process in the period leading to the Country Strategy Identification Visit to Vietnam of 07 to 18
December 2011 are to be mentioned:
(i)
The inventory and desk study of the portfolio of prior VLIR-UOS supported cooperation
interventions in Vietnam, by type of intervention and by sector/thematic area, and with special
attention for evaluation findings, best practices and lessons learned;
(ii)
The web-based survey and needs / priorities assessment with Flemish HEIs/RIs and other key
stakeholders;
(iii)
The establishment of a Vietnam Country Profile (compilation of facts and figures – hard data
and information);
(iv)
The information day on 05 July 2011 for Flemish HEIs on the preparation of the Country
Strategies regarding the first batch of five VLIR-UOS concentration countries amongst which
Vietnam;
(v)
The compilation of summary Vietnam macro policies and strategies to ensure VLIR-UOS
country strategy alignment with and its embedding in:
a)
The Vietnam national and regional policies and strategies on economic and social
development;
b)
The Vietnam poverty reduction and related policies and strategies, and;
c)
The Vietnam Higher Education (HE) policies and strategies;
(vi)
The September 2011 individual interviews with Flemish HEIs/RIs and other stakeholders and
the processing of these about 30 interviews in a consolidated document;
(vii)
The Vietnam Country Seminar for Flemish HEIs/RIs and stakeholders of 28 September 2011
as documented, consisting of presentations, working groups discussions and a plenary
session on key thematic areas and niche sub-areas of possible cooperation with Vietnam,
and:
(viii)
The different updates of the Vietnam strategy summary status report. 1
To ensure maximum accessibility to and open consultation by all parties concerned, all strategy
preparatory documents are uploaded on the VLIR-UOS webpage concerned:
http://vliruos.be/index.php?navid=655&language=EN&throughadmin=1
1.3. The Mission Programme and Activities
The Organisation and Programme of the Country Strategy Mission: The VLIR-UOS Vietnam Strategy
Identification and IUC Partner Identification Mission took place from 07 to 18 November 2011. The four
member mission team consisted of the Chairman of the VLIR-UOS Bureau (partial participation in the
1
The latest updated version of this summary status report at the onset of the strategy
identification mission to Vietnam is included under Annex 2 to this report.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
6
mission), the VLIR-UOS Country Desk Officer for Vietnam and two country strategy experts (one
international and one local). The mission itinerary included respectively Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh
City, Can Tho City and Hanoi. The detailed programme of meetings and activities is included under
Annex 1.4. Grossly three main parts of the visit can be distinguished, coinciding with the three main
regions, each of which a special consultative exercise was organised for: (i) Middle Vietnam, (ii)
Southern Vietnam, and (iii) Northern Vietnam, the latter as concluding national seminar. Eleven (11)
Higher Education Institutes / Research Institutes (HEIs/RIs) were personally visited by the Team on
the spot:
1.
Hue University, Hue
2.
Da Nang University, Da Nang
3.
Can Tho University, Can Tho
4.
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho
5.
HCM Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City
6.
HCM University of Pedagogy, Ho Chi Minh City
7.
Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi
8.
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi
9.
National Economics University, Hanoi
10.
Hanoi University of Agriculture, Hanoi
11.
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi
The Three Consultative Meetings / Conferences: The second type of meetings with the respective
Vietnamese HEIs/RIs took place on the occasion of the two regional country strategy consultative
meetings in respectively Hue (10 November for Central Vietnam) and Hoi Chi Minh City (14 November
for Southern Vietnam), and of the concluding National Conference on the Country Strategy in Hanoi
(17 November for the whole country, including Northern Vietnam). A total of 33 HEI/RIs participated in
these events with a total of 74 participants (with 43 in the Hanoi National Conference as the highest
number of event participants).1 The outputs of these consultation and coordination events with the
main Vietnamese stakeholders proved very instrumental for the design of the overall country strategy. 2
Other key Vietnamese stakeholders met include the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and
the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). Non-Vietnamese stakeholders consulted with during
the mission include the Embassy of Belgium, BTC-CTB and a Flemish programme preparation
mission.
The Institutional Fact Sheets: In addition / complementary to the personal visits by the strategy
identification team to the individual universities, the relative institutional and academic strength of
these shortlisted Vietnamese HEIs/RIs was also assessed based on the standard VLIR-UOS
1
Full details on the practical organisation of the events can be found under Annex 3.
Summary outputs of the discussion groups and the plenary sessions of the three events are
incorporated under Annex 4. Detailed information on these three events is provided under respectively
Annexes 3.1 to 3.3, including: A) Detailed programme, B) List of background naterials in participants
folders, C) List of participants, D) Group discussion guidelines.
2
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
7
institutional fact sheets completed by the respective HEIs/RIs concerned. 1 Eleven (11 or one third) of
the 33 contacted Vietnamese HEIs/RIs have returned the profile fact sheet. Three of these were fully
completed, whereas 8 still had some portions still to be completed. Nine HEIs/RIs fact sheets where
adequately completed and are incorporated under Annex 7. An overview sheet of the institutional fact
sheets distributed to the Vietnamese HEIs and of their responses is included on the first two pages of
this Annex 7.
1
The compilation of institutional fact sheets is included under Annex 7.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
8
2. Vietnam Strategy Main Strategic Niche
Topics
2.1. The Alignment with the Vietnamese Development and
HE Policies and Strategies
The Broader Policies and Strategies: As described in the prior introductory Chapter 1.1 on the broader
framework of the CS identification mission to Vietnam, the analysis of the broader macro socioeconomic development policies and strategies of Vietnam (including poverty alleviation and climate
change related overarching policies) and of the Higher Education policies and strategies1 during the
desk phase was further validated during the field visit. The analysis has been further refined with a
series of summary notes on Vietnam sectoral / thematic polices of special relevance to the VLIR-UOS
Vietnam country strategy based on the pre-identified (sub-) sectors with high added value for
university cooperation between Flanders and Vietnam, in turn based on the indications emanating
from the earlier consultations with Flemish stakeholders.2 As mentioned, this set of sectoral / thematic
policies of special relevance to the VLIR-UOS Vietnam country strategy covers: (i) Food and nutrition;
(ii) Biotechnology; (iii) Public health; (iv) Natural resources and climate change; (v) Science and
technology, and; (vi) Agriculture. For each of these, a brief analysis is presented under Annexes 13.1
to 13.6 of respectively the general objectives, the specific objectives, and where possible the main
tasks and/or indicators with target setting.
2.2. The Consultations with the Flemish and Vietnamese
Stakeholders as Basis for the Matching
The Prior Consultations with the Flemish Stakeholders as Basis: As indicated above, the earlier
consultations with the Flemish Stakeholders included: (i) A broad series of about 30 individual
interviews with HEIs/RIs representatives and interested parties as well as from other key stakeholder
parties, and; (ii) A concluding collective consultation on the occasion of the Vietnam Country Seminar
in Brussels of 28 September 2011 with some 65 participants, consisting of working group discussions
and a plenary session. These participatory processes and events led to the identification of four main
thematic areas of interest3, with for each a series of sub-areas of special interest and niche topics with
special added value by the respective Flemish HEIs/RIs as follows:
1.
Food / Nutrition and Health mainly covers veterinary services, molecular epidemiology, health
economics, food technology and biotechnology. Within this area a concept note on rural health
1
Key excerpts of these policies are presented under Annex 12.
This set of sectoral / thematic policies of special relevance to the VLIR-UOS Vietnam country
strategy is included under Annex 13.
3
See page 2 of the latest update of the Vietnam Strategy Summary Status Report (V.4 of 04
Nov 2011) under Annex 2 hereafter. Full details can be found in the expert team’s “Synthesis report of
the Interviews with the Flemish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and Other Stakeholders in
Preparation of the Vietnam Country Strategy “; Version V.3 of 05 Oct 11, and in their report on the
“Vietnam Country Seminar for Flemish HEIs and Stakeholders of 28 September 2011”, including the 9
attachments thereto.
2
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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(full title: Integrated Primary Health Care in the Rural Areas of the Mekong Region) was
prepared. Another note was received on Bioscience for Food (full title: Multidisciplinary Support
for Research based education in food and environmental sciences in Vietnam).
2.
The second thematic area, Environment and Natural Resources, mainly focuses on
aquaculture, waste management, marine biology, natural heritage and water treatment
technology.
3.
On infrastructure and related sciences and technology the focus goes mainly to mechanical
engineering, textile engineering, chemistry, ICT (hardware, software and information networks)
and crop protection.
4.
Other and cross-cutting themes: a fourth thematic area encompasses both other sectors and
transversal themes, amongst others: Social sciences; Higher professional education and
training; Internships; Institutional strengthening, Scientific English, Gender; Governance; ...
The Matching Exercise Based on Field Investigations and Consultations in Vietnam: The above priority
areas and niche areas identified at Flanders’ side served as basis for the discussion on matched
priority setting at Vietnamese side within the overall context of the above mentioned overall socioeconomic and sectoral/thematic development policies and strategies.
The configuration of working groups and their outputs of the three structured HEI/RI consultative
events in Vietnam is indicative for the matched prioritization of main strategic priority areas and niche
areas therein for the Vietnam Country Strategy. A relatively strongly aligned prioritisation of thematic
areas and sub-areas in relation to the priorities indicated earlier by the Flemish stakeholders could be
noted, as can be gleaned from the below summary Table 1 on the CS main thematic priority areas and
niche sub-areas indicated by the discussion groups during these events.
Table 1 : List of Country Strategy Main Thematic Priority Areas and Niche Sub-Areas as an
Outcome of the Three Structured CS Consultation Events in Vietnam (Hue, HCMC and Hanoi)
Structured HEIs/RIs Group
Main Thematic Priority Areas and Niche Sub-Areas
Consultation Event
(Working Groups and Sub-Areas)
1. Public health and related priority themes
A.
 Nutrition
Hue Regional Consultative
 Maternal and child health
Meeting for Middle Vietnam
 Epidemiology and vaccinations
2. Biosciences for food
 First and foremost: Food production
 Value chain management of entire food cycle
1. Food / nutrition and health
B.
Ho Chi Minh City Regional
Consultative Meeting for
2. Environment and natural resources (climate change)
 Climate change
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Structured HEIs/RIs Group
Main Thematic Priority Areas and Niche Sub-Areas
Consultation Event
(Working Groups and Sub-Areas)
Southern Vietnam
 Environmental protection and natural resources related to
aquaculture
 Technology development
3. Cross-cutting issues:
 NSS education networking
 Vocational training at commune level
 E-learning and distant training
 Research based education
1. Food / nutrition and health
 Ensuring food hygiene and safety
 Functional food
 Training of field staff on food hygiene and safety
 Vaccine technology and molecular biology
 Control of non-communicable diseases
C.
2. Environment and natural resources (climate change)
Hanoi National Conference
(Vietnam national, including
Northern Vietnam)
 Biodiversity and conservation
 Waste treatment and management
 Natural resources
 Climate change
 Aquaculture
3. Cross-cutting issues: Networking and outreach for the community
 Establishment of network centre
 Key focal areas of activities:
 Promotion of spin off and incubator companies (with
industry)
C.
Hanoi National Conference
(Vietnam national, including
Northern Vietnam)
(continued)
 Promotion of the application of research to rural society
 Short courses,
 learning and distant learning
 Teleconferencing
 Database sharing
 Monitoring and evaluation of the outreach (feed-back, impact
assessment…)
 Strengthening university management (strategic
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Structured HEIs/RIs Group
Main Thematic Priority Areas and Niche Sub-Areas
Consultation Event
(Working Groups and Sub-Areas)
management, results / performance management,
business management, etc. )
2.3. The Proposed Vietnam Country Strategy Thematic
Areas
The Strategy Focal and Non-Focal Priority Areas: In summary, from the individual interviews with HEIs
and RIs in both Flanders and Vietnam as attested to by the structured consultations with the
stakeholders in both Flanders and Vietnam (national conferences and regional consultation meetings),
a total of five thematic areas are identified for the VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy for the six1
year 2003-2008 CS programming period. Of these, two are focal and three are non-focal priority
areas2.
The two country strategy focal areas are: (F1) Bio-sciences for food and nutrition, and (F2) HEIs/RIs
institutional strengthening and reform. The non-focal thematic areas are: (N1) Environment and natural
resources, with special focus on climate change issues; (N2) Public health with special focus on rural
health, and; (N3) Science and technology, with special attention for sustainable development
infrastructure. A summary overview of the proposed focal and non-focal areas of the VLIR-UOS
Country Strategy for Vietnam is provided in the below Table 2.
1
Two times three years in accordance with the new VLIR-IUC budgeting, planning and programming
cycle rules, regulations and procedures.
2 In line with international practices (e.g. the European Commission), the distinction between focal
and non-focal thematic areas is made in order to keep the country strategy maximally focused on an
as limited as possible number of thematic areas. The distinction between focal and non-focal on the
other hand still makes it possible to have a larger number of thematic areas covered in a priority order.
As is argued further in the final Chapter 6 on the country strategy decomposition and toolbox, it is
suggested to have a phased expansion of the Vietnam Country Strategy with the first three year
period (2013-2015) focusing on the piloting of the Biosciences for Food/Nutrition in a Thematic
Institutional Network (TIN) setting as new VLIR-UOS programming tool, with preparations for a
possible expansion of up to 4 more TINs for the other four thematic areas in the second three year
period (2016-2018) depending on a positive assessment by the end of the first three year CS period.
During this first three year period, these four other thematic areas will be catered to via the VLIR-UOS
tools at Departmental level (i.e. via Own Initiatives / Team Initiatives and South Initiatives).
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Table 2 : Proposed Vietnam Country Strategy Focal and Non-Focal Thematic Areas
Vietnam Country Strategy
F1.
Bio-sciences for food and nutrition
Focal Areas
F2.
HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and reform
Vietnam Country Strategy
N1.
Environment and natural resources (climate change)
Non-Focal Areas
N2.
Public / Rural health
N3.
Science and technology (development infrastructure)
The Synergy of the Thematic Areas and Alignment with the Vietnam Development Strategies: The
proposed thematic areas are maximally aligned with the Vietnamese overall and sectoral/thematic
development policies and strategies as discussed earlier and further detailed in the annexes, notably:
(i) Annex 12 with a summary overview of Vietnam poverty reduction and socio-economic development
policies and strategies as broader framework of the VLIR-UOS country strategy with Vietnam, and; (ii)
Annex 13 with a compilation of summary notes on Vietnam sectoral / thematic policies of special
relevance to the VLIR-UOS Vietnam country strategy.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Figure 1 : Synergy of VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy Thematic Areas
Aligned with the Vietnam National Development Strategies
Sustainable and Equitable
Socio-Economic Development
and Poverty Alleviation
Biosciences for
Food / Nutrition
Environment and
Natural Resources
(Climate Change)
Public / Rural
Health
HEIs/RIs
Institutional
Strengthening and
Reform
Science and
Technology
(Infrastructure)
IS Support Services:
-
ICT
Statistics & Analysis
Social Sciences
Network Development
...
The VLIR-UOS country strategy has the overall objective of contributing to sustainable and equitable
socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. It thereto concentrates on four of the thematic /
sectoral areas which are prioritized in the development plans: (i) Food security and nutrition; (ii)
Environment and natural resources (iii) Public / rural health; and (iv) Science and Technology. These
development areas and concomitant VLIR-UOS country strategy components are interrelated,
complementary and mutually reinforcing. This synergetic relationship between the country strategy
thematic areas is depicted in the below Figure 1 by bringing them in a circular bi-directional
relationship. All together contribute to the overall strategy objective / goal. The transversal, crosscutting country strategy thematic area of HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and reform, supports and
strengthens the four thematic areas. Especially highlighted are the cross-cutting HEIs/RIs institutional
strengthening support services as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), statistics and
statistical analysis, social sciences, network development, amongst others.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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2.4. The Coverage of the Country Strategy Thematic Areas
by Thematic Institutional Networks as Innovative VLIRUOS Cooperation Tools
Thematic Institutional Networks as New and Innovative Tool: The proposed main VLIR-UOS tool for
supporting the above CS focal and non-focal areas is the new, innovative instrument of Thematic
Institutional Networks (TINs). Such TIN consists of a network (consortium) of Flemish HEIs/RIs on the
one side in a bi-directional multiple network setting with a similar network (consortium) of Vietnamese
HEIs/RIs at the other side, all with one or more specific areas of (complementary) multi-disciplinary
specialisation and academic excellence on the thematic area. The network also includes Research
Institutes (RIs) and University Colleges (UCs - “Universitaire Hogescholen”) particularly for the
education and research extension, outreach and spin-off components with broader society,
communities and the industrial / commercial private sector. Depending on capacities, the network at
Vietnamese side also includes network partners in neighbouring countries of the Mekong Delta region
(Laos and Cambodia), and possibly broader within the ASEAN South-East Asian region.
TIN Focus: The TINs are thematically focused but preferably encompass different or all Key Result
Areas (KRAs) of the VLIR-UOS cooperation strategies and programmes: Education, Research,
Outreach (Extension / Community Services / Spin-Offs), academic and/or technical HRD,
management development, ICT, infrastructure, and networking. The TINs especially focus on
(innovative) joint network initiatives and their institutionalisation, including:

Joint and double degrees,

Joint researches,

Academic and student exchanges,

Multi-disciplinary community services research and methodologies,

Creation of spin-offs,

Organisation of conferences,

E-platforms and discussion groups,

E-conferencing, video- and audio-conferencing.
More detailed brainstorming notes on the practical organisation and functioning of Thematic
Institutional Networks are included under Annex 8.7 to this report. These notes particularly focus on
NSS networking as win-win undertaking for both Vietnam and Flanders, on the contents of networking,
joint resources generation for the networking, institutional provisions for networks (e.g. scientific
committee, evaluation committee, technology transfer units), the practical organisation of joint
researches, and on the creation of spin-offs.
Network Hubs, Sub-Hubs and Nodes: The Thematic Institutional Network consist of a hub at the
centre of both the Flemish and the Vietnamese network, seconded by a back-up sub-hub, and a
network of HEI/RI/UC partners. These peripheral network “node” partners need to number at least 4
(four) at Vietnamese side. Hence a TIN is required to consist of at least 6 (six) network partners at
Vietnamese side, including the hub and sub-hub.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Criteria for Hub and Sub-Hub Selection: The criteria for hub selection (and thus also for the sub-hub
selection, be it possibly to a less stringent extent) at Vietnamese side include the following:
(i)
Intensity and quality of past institutional or academic relationship and networking with VLIR
and/or Flemish HEIs/RIs, e.g. through an IUC;
(ii)
Existing formalized networking and actual networking operations within Vietnam (with other
HEIs, RIs and/or UCs) and possibly beyond in the Mekong Delta;
(iii)
Academic excellence in the thematic area;
(iv)
Managerial and networking capacity;
(v)
Shown interest and commitment to lead in the network, and;
(vi)
Pro-active support from top management.
The Priority TIN on Bio-Sciences for Food and Nutrition: Of the proposed two focal areas and three
non-focal areas of the VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy, the first focal area (F1) of Bio-sciences
for Food and Nutrition appears to be eligible for priority Thematic Institutional Networking in the
upcoming Country Strategy in view of the actual maturity status of networking in this thematic /
sectoral area already (including, amongst others, networking initiatives as ViFINET or
ViBeFOODNET).
The Proposed Network Hub: Can Tho University (CTU) in its role of former Institutional University
Cooperation (IUC) partner of VLIR-UOS and as main proponent of the above networking initiatives,
could be called upon as a potential hub for this TIN on Bio-sciences for Food and Nutrition, with
possibly the Hanoi University of Agriculture (HUA) as sub-hub. From the HEIs / RIs visited during the
Country Strategy Identification Mission to Vietnam and from those who have participated in the
consultative seminars / national conference, the following turned out to have special features and
interests to make them eligible / suitable as network partners under the biosciences TIN, amongst
others: Da Nang University, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Institute of Tropical
Biology; Nha Trang University; Nong Lam University, National Institute for Veterinary Research,
HCMC Nutrition Centre, Vinh University and National Institute of Nutrition, Research Institutes for
Aquaculture (I, II and III), etc. CTU as network hub at Vietnamese side, together with the hub at
Flemsih Side, is expected to take the lead and proactive initiative in organising the networking,
including the selection of the sub-hub and of network partners. CTU makes for a strong partner which
may call upon the other universities in the network to jointly work out a networking strategy and work
plan in accordance with the VLIR-UOS TIN modalities and principles. This in turn in due course may
inspire leading HEIs/RIs of other CS thematic areas to embark in due course on similar networking
processes for the creation of a Thematic Institutional Network (TIN).
The Phasing of TIN Introduction and Operationalisation: As is further argued in concluding Chapter 6
hereafter it is suggested to have the Biosciences TIN fully implemented from the start of the Country
Strategy for the whole duration of the country strategy (2003-2008) with up to four other TINs possibly
started up in the second half of the strategy depending on a positive recommendation from the CS
mid-term review by mid 2005. Preparatory activities / initiatives for these 2nd phase TINs could be
supported during the first phase by means of VLIR-UOS cooperation toolbox instruments to support
departmental initiatives, i.e.: Own Initiatives (OIs), also referred to as Team Initiatives, and/or South
Initiatives (SIs).
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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TIN Solid Institutional Anchoring as Critical Issue and Success Factor: The institutional anchoring of
the TIN in the hub and sub-hub HEIs will be within the Department, Faculty or Member University (in
case of a “University System”) concerned of the thematic expertise, directly reporting to the Head /
Dean / Rector of the HEI/RI thematic area lead entity concerned. The satellite HEIs/RIs in the
Thematic Institutional Networks (TINs) are in first instance selected from the list of HEIs/RIs included
in the list of HEIs/RIs visited or contacted on the occasion of the VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy
development process, but are by no means limited to these.
Operational Modalities and Performance Indicators: The proposed contractual mode of operation is a
Call for Proposal co-managed by the Flemish and Vietnamese TIN hubs (procedures, rules and
regulations still to be determined by VLIR-UOS), in a highly competitive and performance / results
oriented setting, based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) still to be determined. Such KPIs may
include, amongst others:

Number of joint and/or double degrees established, or progress in setting up of joint and/or double
degrees;

Number of students in / graduating from joint degrees;

Number and quality of joint international A publications;

Number and quality of joint local B publications;

Number of graduates;

Number and progress of PhD / MSc degrees;

Number and quality of international conferences,

Number and quality of national conferences;

Number of e-conferences, tele- and video-conferences between the network members and
beyond, with number of active participants;

Number and quality of extension projects and their reach;

Innovativeness of research – extension translations / conversions;

Number of extension projects with involvement of University Colleges and/or Intermediary
Organisations,

Number and value of industrial / commercial spin-offs;

Etc.
E-Networking: Networking between the network partners (both N-S-S and N-N-S intercontinental
between Flanders and Vietnam, and S-S within Vietnam and within the Mekong Region) in first
instance will be facilitated by electronic platforms, joint thematic websites and through e-conferencing,
video- and teleconferencing and / or by any other innovative / state-of-the-art e-networking means.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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2.5. The Country Strategy Niche Sub-Areas under the
Respective CS Thematic Areas
Niche Sub-Areas under the Country Strategy Thematic Areas: It is not the intention to go too deep into
programming details at this early stage of the strategy development cycle. However, further detailed
strategic programming inspiration and technical details on the possible contents of the above
proposed strategy thematic areas can be found in the selective concept notes provided by visited or
contacted Vietnamese HEIs/RIs or from Flemish HEIs/RIs 1 on various topics / components of the
Vietnam country strategy, as compiled.
Summary Figure of CS Win-Win Niche Areas: Above Figure 2 is an overview of the main niche areas
with high potential win-win added value for both the Flemish and Vietnamese partners as identified by
both parties under the five CS thematic areas. The figure is based on the various individual interviews,
the outcomes of the structured joint exercises with groups of stakeholders 2 (national conferences /
seminars, regional consultative meetings, group interviews), and the returned interview questionnaires
and institutional fact sheets3, both in Belgium / Flanders and in Vietnam. The figure also shows how
the different thematic areas are related to each other and how their interdependence leads to mutually
reinforcing each other. The figure also shows the importance of the cross-cutting / transversal subareas under the HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and reform transversal area having important
effects / impact on the other four key thematic areas of the strategy. Detailed lists of sub-areas for
each of the five country strategy thematic areas are provided under Annex 15 to this report.
1
This compilation of selective concept notes is included under Annex 8 to this report.
See Annex 4 for the outputs of the discussion groups and plenum discussions of the two local
seminars and the national conference in Vietnam on the country strategy. The outcomes of the
Vietnam national seminar in Flanders of 28 September and of the individual interviews with Flemish
HEIs/RIs and other Flemish stakeholders in the month of September 2011 are separately reported on.
3
The completed Vietnamese HEIs/RIs institutional fact sheets returned to the strategy
identification team are compiled under Annex 7 to this report.
2
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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Figure 2 : Identified Win-Win Niche Sub-Areas (*) for Vietnamese and Flemish HEIs/RIs
within the VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy Main Thematic Areas
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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3. Country Strategy Transversal Support
Themes
3.1. The Transversal Support Themes in the Country
Strategy
The fourth strategic area for the Vietnam Country Strategy identified as a result of the Flemish
consultations concerns other sectors and also the different transversal support themes. Also at
Vietnamese side, the central importance of these transversal support themes was recognized and got
more stressed over time. While these transversal themes cut across all thematic areas, they are
explicitly and systematically focused on in the second CS focal area of HEIs/RIs institutional
strengthening and reform. Below are some transversal support themes having merited special
attention in the design of the country strategy and for the actual cooperation programmes and projects
built on these:
1.
Gender: The “traditional” cross-cutting issue of gender needs to be mainstreamed as a matter
of principle in all CS cooperation initiatives. All relevant Key Performance / Result Indicators of
the strategy and its components need to be gender differentiated. Special attention will be
given to the gender balance in programme and project staffing at all levels. The same pertains
to the attendance of programme events.
2.
Governance: Also commonly referred to as “Good Governance” is another “traditional” crosscutting issue in development strategies and programmes. It covers all different GG aspects
and themes including: transparency, accountability, results-orientation, performance
appraisals based on key performance indicators (both institutional and personal) etc. In the
context of a Higher Education strategy and programme it particularly refers to strategic
steering and management aspects of HE institutes.
3.
Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Impact of Climate Change: The same
mainstreaming strategy needs to be observed for the other “traditional” cross-cutting issue of
environment and development. A special perspective is the impact of climate change.
Besides, in the proposed country strategy, Environment and Natural Resources has been
uplifted to a special non-focal area for which in due course a Thematic Institutional Network
(TIN) as VLIR-UOS implementation modality could be considered. 1
4.
Social Protection and Social Security: With the globalisation of the economy and its pressure
on the social cohesion of societies and communities and its erosion of social protection and
social security systems, sustainable and equitable socio-economic development and
enhanced welfare and wellbeing of all citizens require special attention for social protection
and social security aspects and systems. This particularly pertains to tiger middle-income
countries with growing internal disparities, geographically (e.g. the urban-rural divide and
between regions) and between the socio-economic strata of society. Belgium / Flanders has
long-standing and widely recognized accumulated knowledge, expertise and practical
See above Table 3 with N1 “Environment and Natural Resources (Climate Change)” as
strategy non-focal area. A concept note on environment and natural resources in the perspective of
climate change is included under Annex 8.5
1
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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experiences with the organisation of social security and social protection policies, tools,
schemes and systems, which guarantees win-win benefits to both country strategy partners.
5.
Institutional Strengthening / Organisational Development: Sustainable institutional
strengthening and networking is a core thematic transversal theme of the new Country
Strategy, as it is very central to VLIR-UOS’ cooperation strategies and programmes.
Moreover, also in Vietnam institutional capacity development and related governance issues
are becoming more central policy themes, with universities getting more involved in such
research and related projects. The institutional strengthening and reform cross-cutting theme
covers issues related to both (i) management development and networking capacities
strengthening; performance planning, measurement and monitoring, including the use of key
results / performance indicators and their target setting, on the one hand and (ii) accountability
and transparency issues and tools on the other. HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and
reform takes centre stage in the country strategy as one of the two proposed strategy focal
areas.1
6.
Statistics and Statistical Analysis: The above need for across-the-board mainstreaming also
pertains to statistics and statistical analysis as cross-cutting issues, in relation to all country
strategy thematic areas and to all VLIR-UOS pillars / Key Result Areas: teaching, research,
HRD, outreach/extension, and management.
7.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Since the Vietnam country strategy
strongly concentrates on sustainable network building and maintenance between HEIs/RIs,
ICT has a crucial supportive function. This pertains to both hardware and, particularly,
software. The networking will be strongly e-based, making maximum use of state-of-the-art eplatforms and discussion fora, e-conferencing, tele- and video-conferencing. Also the
outreach/extension component of the proposed IUC programme under the country strategy
will make maximum use of ICT, particularly in relation to distance education and e-learning.
The HEIs/RI institutional strengthening and reform TIN (coded F2) will have e-learning and enetworking as one of the main strategy components.
8.
Research Based Education and Research / Education / Extension Model: The strengthening
of research based education is an all pervading central theme of the Vietnam Country
Strategy. The same holds for the systematic translation of research findings in education /
teaching and furthermore especially into extension and outreach messages, where applicable
( REE or Research, Education and Extension Model). This services to the community / society
component of the strategy covers both policy support services and extension services to the
deprived groups in society on the one hand, and commercial / industrial spin-offs on the other.
9.
Higher Professional Education and Training: The above REE model also provides special
opportunities for higher professional education and training, especially of intermediate
organisations and entities to substantiate the outreach/extension component of the strategy on
the one hand, and the facilitation of commercial / industrial spin-offs on the other. The
strengthening of the cooperation and networking between HEIs/RIs and University Colleges 2
(UCs) is one of the cornerstones of the VLIR-UOS cooperation strategy in line with the
1
See Strategy Focal Area F2 in the above summary Table 2 on the proposed thematic areas
for the country strategy. Under Annex 8.3 a concept note is included on capacity strenghtening of
university networking to support higher education reform in Vietnam in relation to this proposed
strategic focal area F2.
2
“Universitaire Hogeschool” in Dutch language.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
21
changed regulatory framework in Flanders regarding Higher Education Institutes,
incorporating both Universities and University Colleges.
10. Institutional Networking as all pervading central theme of the Vietnam Country Strategy: The
envisioned networking between HEIs/RIs covers four interrelated concentric geographic
layers: (i) Local-regional (e.g. in the Province, Middle Vietnam), (ii) Vietnam national, (iii)
International-regional (especially Mekong Delta) and (iv) N-S-S / N-N-S international
networking with Flanders and beyond. Existing networks with Flemish HEIs involvement as
ViFINET or ViBeFOODNET will be further strengthened (especially their management and ICT
components), but also new viable and sustainable, high added value networks will be
facilitated, strengthened and monitored. The new VLIR-UOS collaboration modality of
Thematic Institutional Networks (TINs) as cornerstone of the new Country Strategy with
Vietnam will facilitate this results-oriented networking in the prioritized sectoral and thematic
focal and non-focal areas of the strategy.
Incorporation of Cross-cutting Issues under Specific Thematic Institutional Networks: The following are
identified as cross-cutting issues preferably to be attended to through specific Thematic Institutional
Network. It however is recommended to still keep them in the strategy as fully-blown cross-cutting
issues.
1. Social Sciences: Most Vietnamese universities now have a Social Sciences and Humanities
Faculty / Department / School, but they lack a tradition of social research. This particularly
pertains to social research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. As such, the
strengthening of social sciences methodologies became a transversal support issue,
highlighted in both the individual and group consultation events during the strategy
identification mission to Vietnam. Transversal support to the social sciences needs to be
based on inventories of the existing situation and needs assessments to ensure relevance and
ownership at the Vietnamese side, and to identify and synchronize niche expertise at Flemish
side. It is suggested to have social sciences incorporated as key transversal topic/issue under
the HEIs institutional strengthening and reform TIN. Apart from social research methodologies,
the social sciences transversal thematic area of the country strategy also gives special crosscutting attention to social protection and social security policies, tools and systems.
2. HIV/AIDS: This transversal theme amongst others is mainstreamed in the Public / Rural
Health1 non-focal area of the Country Strategy. This public health thematic area has important
sub-components on epidemiology, family health, reproductive health and on maternal and
child health, providing special opportunities for mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS in the
outreach/extension components of this thematic programme.
1
Rural health is assessed at this stage to be rather premature as a network. On the other hand,
strong partners were identified in this area. This pertains for example to the College of Medicine and
Pharmacy of Hue University. A health project in the suggested HUE IUC (see item V hereafter) might
become instrumental for the design and development of a Public/Rural Health TIN in due course, with
a national specialized HEI/RI possibly taking the lead of such TIN.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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3.2. The Integration and Mainstreaming of Transversal
Support Themes in the Country Strategy
Summary Figure of Strategy Thematic Areas and Transversal Themes: The integration and
mainstreaming of the above transversal themes in the VLIR-UOS Vietnam country strategy is
visualised in the below summary Figure 3 on the next page.

On the left hand side the cluster of development transversal themes as (i) gender, (ii) governance,
(iii) environment and climate change, (iv) social protection and social security, and (v) HIV/Aids
are shown.

The more higher education specific transversal themes pervading all thematic areas of the
proposed country strategy are presented on the right side, including: (i) research based education,
(ii) research-education and community outreach (extension and spin-offs), (iii) higher professional
education and training, and (iv) institutional networking.
The double arrows symbolize the two-directional interactions and synergies between strategy thematic
areas and transversal themes.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
23
Figure 3 : Integration of Development and Higher Education Transversal Themes in the VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy
Development
Transversal Themes
Gender
Mutually Reinforcing Synergy of Country Strategy Thematic Areas
Aligned with the Vietnam National Development Strategies
Sustainable and Equitable
Socio-Economic Development
and Poverty Alleviation
Governance and
Organisational
Development
Environment and
Climate Change
Social Protection
and Social Security
Research Based
Education
Biosciences for
Food / Nutrition
Research-Education
and
Community
Outreach
(Extension and
Spin-Offs)
Environment and
Natural Resources
(Climate Change)
Public / Rural
Health
Science and
Technology
(Infrastructure)
Higher Education
Transversal Themes
HEIs/RIs Institutional
Strengthening and
Reform
Higher Professional /
Vocational Education
and Training
IS Support Services:
-
HIV / AIDS
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
ICT
Statistics & Analysis
Social Sciences
Network Development
...
24
Institutional
Networking
4. Special Attention Points for the Country
Strategy
4.1. General Special Concerns in the Country Strategy
Generic Special Concerns: A number of special concerns and special points of attention emerged from
the numerous consultations with individual stakeholders and also from the three structured HEIs/RIs
group consultation events during the two week country strategy identification visit to Vietnam. Some
generic special points of attention for the Country Strategy include the following:

Alignment with Vietnamese Policies and Strategies: The VLR-UOS Country Strategy and its
component individual activities, initiatives, projects and programmes need to be aligned with the
Vietnam national and regional policies (e.g. on poverty reduction and climate change, on socioeconomic development, and on the relevant sectors and/or thematic areas). 1

Balanced Win-Win: The other grand principle and theme of the Country Strategy is the pursuit of
balanced win-win (and concomitant discontinuation of paternalism) for both the Flemish and the
Vietnamese partners (e.g. in terms of joint research outputs, joint and/or double degrees, industrial
/ commercial spin-offs, mutual understanding and support, etc.).

The Continued Validity of the VLIR-UOS Cooperation Toolbox: As before in Flanders, also the
consultations with the main Vietnamese stakeholders and partners confirmed the continued validity
and relevance of the existing VLIR-UOS toolbox of modalities of cooperation, including:


Scholarships – at individual level;

Own Initiatives / South Initiatives – at Department / thematic level, and;

Institutional University Cooperation – at overall HEI/RI level.
Thematic Institutional Networking (TIN): Special interest was shown by most interviewed and/or
met partners in the new VLIR-IUC tool of Thematic Institutional Networks, a tool which clearly
responds to the actual academic needs of a middle-income country as Vietnam with a booming
economy, though with quite substantial differences still between urban and rural areas, and
between the different provinces.

Institutional Networking as CS Grand Theme: Institutional networking is another grand theme of
the envisioned VLIR-UOS Country Strategy with Vietnam. Thematic Institutional Networking is the
new, innovative cooperation tool of VLIR-UOS, highly welcomed by the interviewed parties. This
institutional networking may be pursued at, possibly, four interrelated concentric geographical
levels:

Local, in the Province / Region;

Vietnam National;

International - Regional (Mekong Delta Countries, and possibly ASEAN);
1
Some of the most relevant policies and strategies (incl. overall objectives, immediate
objectives and main results) are included under Annexes 12 and 13 to this report for easy reference.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
25

International (N-S-S, N-N-S) with Flanders Universities as hub at the other side of the
intercontinental network
This network development and strengthening however cannot be a spontaneous, voluntaristic
process. It needs to be pro-actively managed and steered, thus requiring the necessary skills and
capacity development (both human and institutional).

The Anchoring of the Network: The success of such networking to a large extent depends on the
quality of the institutional anchoring of the network in a solid and reputable HEI/RI as network hub,
the continued support from the highest HEI/RI levels, and the continued maintenance and quality
assurance of the network.

The Confirmation of the CS Thematic Areas: The four thematic areas for the Vietnam Country
Strategy emanating from the interviews and conference in Flanders, have been confirmed.
However, stronger emphasis / broadening of the fourth area particularly in relation to social
sciences, Life Long Learning (LLL), governance, gender, institutional strengthening and other
transversal themes is to be effectively pursued, especially also in programmatic and operational
terms.

The Involvement of University Colleges: Both the higher education reform in Belgium and in
Vietnam provide for broadened opportunities for University Colleges (UCs – “Universitaire
Hogescholen”) and for their inclusion as proactive partners in the umbrella networks.

Research-Based Education: Research-based education as an overall strategic and
methodological challenge needs to pervade the whole CS programme. This goes hand in hand
with the challenges of more systematic research – extension / outreach conversions and of more
systematic commercial spin-offs creation.

Synchronization of Scholarship Programmes: A joint strategy for / stronger synergies between the
different scholarship programmes needs to be pursued, especially in the perspective of a
strengthened win-win for both sides. This particularly pertains to:



At Vietnamese side:

The 911 scholarship programme (MoET);

The 322 scholarship programme (MoET);

The NAFOSTED scholarship programme for basic sciences (MoST);

Other.
At Belgian / Flemish Side:

The DGD scholarship programme;

The BTC-CTB scholarship programme;

The scholarship programmes of individual Flemish universities (KUL, RUG, UA, UL
and VUB);

Other.
Complementarity with other DPs: Complementarity with the other Belgian / Flemish development
partners (DPs) needs to be pursued, e.g. with the DGD bilateral cooperation executed by the
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
26
BTC-CTB, VVOB, FWO, CIUF, 11.11.11, individual NGOs, etc. as well as with the other
international DPs, amongst which especially the European Union.

The Institutional Strengthening and Reform CS Thematic Area: HEIs institutional strengthening
and reform is one of the flagships of the envisioned new country strategy with Vietnam (Focal area
F2). It has different possible components and sub-components, ranging from governance and
management development issues at one end of the spectrum to social sciences utilisation and
extension services at the other to bring the outcomes and benefits of research and education to
the needy and deprived groups in society.1

The Institutional Anchoring of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy with Vietnam: As a national
strategy and programme, the VLIR-UOS country strategy and programme needs to be solidly
institutionally anchored and coordinated/managed at Vietnam national level. Ideal is a kind of
counterpart of VLIR-UOS in Vietnam who could then fulfil this role. In the absence of such overall
coordinating entity of HEIs/RIs in Vietnam for the time being, this role then lies with the Ministry of
Education and Training (MoET) as tutelage ministry, or maybe also, be it less obvious, with the
Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). The other alternative is to anchor the strategy and
programme implementation in one of the central partner universities. The VLIR-UOS Board at
Flemish Side and MoET at Vietnamese side may pay special attention to this crucial anchoring
aspect of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy in Vietnam in order to ensure its ownership, efficiency,
effectiveness, sustainability and lasting impact

Vietnamese Counterpart Financing: Engagement by the Vietnamese authorities to (partially) cofinance the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy with Vietnam not only is desirable from overall strategy
ownership and equal partnership points of view. It would also make possible an expansion of
scale and scope (e.g. coverage of more if not all five Thematic Institutional Networking
programmes, including the three non-core ones). This envisioned co-financing especially also
pertains to the scholarship component under the strategy.
4.2.
The Country Stragey and the VLIR-UOS Cooperation
Key Result Areas
Special Concerns Clustered by VLIR-UOS Key Result Area (KRA): Under Annex 14, a bulleted
summary of special concerns and special attention points for the Country Strategy is presented for
each of the standard VLIR-UOS cooperation Key Result Areas (KRAs) 2 of:
(i)
Education;
(ii)
Research;
(iii)
Outreach (Extension and Spin-Offs);
(iv)
Human Resources Development / Capacity Development;
(v)
Institutional Management Development,
1
Some further preliminary ideas for consideration are included in the concept note on capacity
strengthening of university networking to support higher education reform in Vietnam under Annex 8.3.
2
These VLR-UOS cooperation Key Result Areas (KRAs) are sometimes also referred to as
“domains”.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
27
(vi)
Infrastructure Development, and;
(vii)
Networking.
These special attention points emerged from the different discussions with Flemish and Vietnamese
HEIs/RIs and other key stakeholders. They were also presented to and discussed by the participants
of the concluding National Conference1 on the VLIR-UOS Viet-
1
See also the excerpts of the powerpoint presentation concerned under Annex 5.4 to this
report.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
28
Table 3 : VLIR-IUC Vietnam Country Strategy Framework with Indication of the Main Potential VLIR-UOS Cooperation Key Result Areas (Domains)
for the Identified Niche Sub-Areas per Strategy Main Area.
VIETNAM COUNTRY STRATEGY
NICHE SUB-AREAS
MAIN THEMES /
AREAS
A)
GEOGRAPHICAL
FOCUS
VLIR-UOS KEY RESULT AREAs / DOMAINS and SUB-KRAs
EDUCATION
SUB-THEMES /
SUB-AREAS
(National
or Special
Region)
Masters
PHD
RESEARCH
MultiShort
disciplinary
Courses
Research
Research
Output
EXTENSION
MANAGEMENT
Collaborative
Training
HRD
Community
Services
MAIN OUTCOME /
EFFECTS
International
networking
and linkages
CONTENT BASED THEMES / THEMATIC AREAS
Value chain management
of the whole food cycle
National
X
X
X
X
X
Food safety and food
security
National
X
X
X
X
X
X
Aquaculture development
Mekong Delta,
Coastal Areas
X
X
X
X
X
X
Terrestrial animal
production
National
X
X
X
X
X
X
Plant biotechnology
National
X
X
X
X
Health and balanced
nutrition
National
X
X
X
X
ENVIRONMENT
AND
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Impact of climate change
National
X
X
X
X
Biodiversity and
conservation of
endangered species
Mekong Delta
X
X
X
X
X
(CLIMATE
CHANGE)
Environmental and
ecosystems management
National
X
X
X
X
X
BIOSCIENCES
FOR FOOD /
NUTRITION
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
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X
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
VIETNAM COUNTRY STRATEGY
NICHE SUB-AREAS
MAIN THEMES /
AREAS
VLIR-UOS KEY RESULT AREAs / DOMAINS and SUB-KRAs
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
MultiShort
disciplinary
Courses
Research
EXTENSION
MANAGEMENT
Collaborative
Training
HRD
SUB-THEMES /
SUB-AREAS
(National
or Special
Region)
Masters
PHD
Water resources
management and water
treatment technology
Mekong Delta
X
X
X
X
X
Soil systems and soil
degradation
National
X
X
X
X
X
Natural heritage
National
X
X
X
X
X
Community primary health
care organisation and
networking
National &
Deprived
Provinces
Central
Vietnam
(Community
Outreach)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Preventive health care,
screening and health
education
PUBLIC /
RURAL
HEALTH
GEOGRAPHICAL
FOCUS
Maternal and child health
(incl. reproductive health)
Epidemiology and
vaccinations
National &
Deprived
Provinces
Central
Vietnam
(Community
Outreach)
National nutrition strategy
and community nutrition
National
X
X
Food hygiene and safety
National
X
X
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
Research
Output
X
X
X
Community
Services
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
30
X
International
networking
and linkages
X
X
X
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
X
X
X
MAIN OUTCOME /
EFFECTS
X
X
VIETNAM COUNTRY STRATEGY
NICHE SUB-AREAS
MAIN THEMES /
AREAS
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
(DEVELOPMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE)
HEIs/RIs
INSTITUTIONAL
STRENGTHENING
AND
REFORM
GEOGRAPHICAL
FOCUS
VLIR-UOS KEY RESULT AREAs / DOMAINS and SUB-KRAs
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
MultiShort
disciplinary
Courses
Research
EXTENSION
MANAGEMENT
Collaborative
Training
HRD
SUB-THEMES /
SUB-AREAS
(National
or Special
Region)
Masters
PHD
Hospital management
National
X
X
ICT (hardware and
software) and information
networks
National
X
X
Electronics and
telecommunications
National
X
X
X
X
Cleaner production and
life cycle engineering
National
X
X
X
X
Marketing and logistics
National
X
X
Chemistry and new
materials
National
X
X
X
X
X
Waste management and
waste treatment
technology
National
X
X
X
X
X
Clean, efficient and
sustainable energy
National
X
X
X
X
Higher education reform
policies and strategies
National, and
Central &
Southern
Vietnam
Piloting
X
X
ICT, e-learning and distant
education
National
X
X
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
Research
Output
Community
Services
MAIN OUTCOME /
EFFECTS
International
networking
and linkages
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
31
X
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
X
X
X
X
X
THEMATIC
CAPACITY,
SUPPORT CAPACITY
AND SERVICES,
ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT,
NETWORKING
VIETNAM COUNTRY STRATEGY
NICHE SUB-AREAS
MAIN THEMES /
AREAS
VLIR-UOS KEY RESULT AREAs / DOMAINS and SUB-KRAs
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
MultiShort
disciplinary
Courses
Research
SUB-THEMES /
SUB-AREAS
(National
or Special
Region)
Masters
PHD
Network development and
management
National /
International
X
X
Statistics and statistical
analysis
National
X
X
X
Social sciences and
research methodologies
National
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Vocational education and
training
University management
HE good governance incl.
accountability and
transparency
B)
GEOGRAPHICAL
FOCUS
National, and
Central &
Southern
Vietnam
Piloting
National, and
Central &
Southern
Vietnam
Piloting
Research
Output
EXTENSION
MANAGEMENT
Collaborative
Training
HRD
Community
Services
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MAIN OUTCOME /
EFFECTS
International
networking
and linkages
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
TRANSVERSAL / CROSS-CUTTING THEMES
DEVELOPMENT
TRANSVERSAL
THEMES
Gender
National
Governance and
organisational
development
National
X
X
X
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
X
X
X
32
X
X
X
X
X
X
SUPPORT,
CAPACITY,
ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT
and
VIETNAM COUNTRY STRATEGY
NICHE SUB-AREAS
MAIN THEMES /
AREAS
HEIs/RIs
TRANSVERSAL
THEMES
GEOGRAPHICAL
FOCUS
VLIR-UOS KEY RESULT AREAs / DOMAINS and SUB-KRAs
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
EXTENSION
MANAGEMENT
Collaborative
Training
HRD
SUB-THEMES /
SUB-AREAS
(National
or Special
Region)
Masters
PHD
MultiShort
disciplinary
Courses
Research
Environment and Climate
Change
National
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Social Protection and
Social Security
National
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
HIV / AIDS
National
X
X
X
X
Research Based
Education
National
X
X
X
X
Research-Education and
Community Outreach
(Extension and
Commercial Spin-Offs)
National
X
X
X
X
Higher Professional /
Vocational Education and
Training
National, and
Central &
Southern
Vietnam
Piloting
X
X
X
Institutional Networking
National /
International
X
X
OUTCOMES / EFFECTS
X
New Courses, Joint Degrees,
Improved Teaching Quality,
Research based Education,
Multi-disciplinarity
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
Research
Output
X
Enhanced Research
Capacity, Culture and
Outputs (Quality and
Quantity)
33
Community
Services
International
networking
and linkages
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Strengthened Outreach
Outputs (Extension
Services, Commercial
Spin-Offs, etc. )
MAIN OUTCOME /
EFFECTS
Vision, Objectives,
Structures, Systems,
Tools, Procedures,
Practices
NETWORKING
SUPPORT,
CAPACITY,
ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT
and
NETWORKING
-
Vietnam country strategy in Hanoi on 17 November 2011. It is clear that this list does not pretend to
be complete or exhaustive.
Further elements related to the above concerns may be found under (i) the presentation of the outputs
of discussion groups and plenum discussions of the two local seminars and the national conference
on the Vietnam country strategy under Annex 4 to this report, and (ii) the selective concept notes on
various topics / components of the Vietnam country strategy received from visited or contacted
Vietnamese HEIs/RIs or from Flemish HEIs, compiled under Annex 8.
Country Strategy Framework with KRAs / Domains: Table 3 on the preceding four pages on the
proposed VLIR-IUC Vietnam Country Strategy Framework lists the main potential VLIR-UOS
Cooperation Key Result Areas, or Domains, in which the above thematic niche sub-areas could be
used in a Country Programme derived from the strategy, and this for each of the five main thematic
areas. For each of the sub-areas also the geographical programme focus (national or regional/subnational) is identified.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
34
5. Potential for Institutional University
Cooperation (IUC)
5.1. The Sources of HEs/RIs Institutional Screening and
the IUC Selection Criteria
Sources of HEIs/RIs Institutional Screening: The institutional and academic screening of the
Vietnamese Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) for a six-year (and possible twelve-year) Institutional
University Cooperation (IUC) programme with VLIR-UOS and the Flemish Partner Universities has
been inspired by the following main sources of primary and secondary data and information:
(i)
The documents on prior cooperation with VLIR-UOS (outputs, reviews, evaluations, etc.);
(ii)
Assessments / advice by key Flemish and Vietnamese interlocutors;
(iii)
The completed and returned VLIR-UOS institutional fact sheets1 of Vietnamese HEIs/RIs;
(iv)
The personal visits by the country strategy team to and discussions at the visited
Vietnamese HEIs/RIs;
(v)
The materials and documents provided to the team, and;
(vi)
The HEIs/RIs’ websites visited.
The Two Completed VLIR-UICs in Vietnam: So far, two Vietnamese Higher Education Institutes have
benefited from a full cycle of VLIR-UOS Institutional University Cooperation: Can Tho University (CTU)
and Hanoi University of Technology (HUT, now HUST). Both were included in the very first batch of
VLIR institutional cooperation programme with partner universities in the South.
The Selection Criteria: For the new Country Strategy with Vietnam it is recommended to have one (1)
Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) programme included in the toolbox of cooperation modalities
constituting the country strategy. A shortlist of eleven (11) potential IUC partners has been developed
based on the above sources of primary and secondary information. For the final selection of the
Vietnamese partner university for this IUC under the new CS, the following criteria have been applied
for the eligible universities having to comply with:
(i)
Not having benefited from a prior VLIR-UOS Institutional University Cooperation (IUC)
support cycle;
(ii)
A comprehensive university, thus no thematic university as for example a technology or an
agricultural university;
(iii)
A regional university with an outspoken responsibility for regional development (= catalyst
for inclusive and sustainable regional development), preferably located in a less developed
region of Vietnam, and with preferential relations with outreach and intermediary extension
entities;
(iv)
A university visited by the college of Flemish / Belgian rectors who toured Vietnam early
this year 2011, as a token of special priority attention and recognition;
1
A compilation of the completed and returned fact sheets is included under Annex 7. Some
portions of the included fact sheets are not yet translated from Vietnamese into Dutch.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
35
(v)
At least some prior engagements with Flemish universities which got positively assessed
by the Flemish academics involved and by VLIR-UOS;
(vi)
A university with proactive interest shown in solid collaboration with Flemish Universities
during the visit of the country strategy team;
(vii)
A university of minimum size, with established academic standing / ranking, with
dynamism, sense of innovation, and open to institutional change and learning.
5.2. The Recommended IUC University
Recommended IUC University: Based on these selection criteria, Hue University1 is recommended as
Vietnamese partner university for Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) under the next VLIR-UOS
Country Strategy for Vietnam. Hue University (HU) meets all seven selection criteria: It has not
benefited from an IUC support programme in the past, but has been engaged in different prior
cooperation actions with Flemish Universities, both within and beyond the context of VLIR-UOS
programmes. It got the explicit attention of the Rectors of Flemish Universities visiting the country in
April of this year 2011. It is a comprehensive university with a strong regional development focus and
located in a deprived, less developed region of the country. It has a considerable size and proven
academic standing. In preparation of and during the visit of the VLIR-UOS country strategy
identification team, Hue University showed strong pro-active interest in a sustainable, quality
cooperation with VLIR and the Flemish Universities as evidenced amongst others by the detailed
completion of the institutional fact sheet, the preparation of special presentations, the contributions to
the CS regional consultation meeting / seminar for Central Vietnam and the participation in the CS
national conference in Hanoi of 27 November 2011, the preparation of concept notes, etc.
By way of contingency, a possible alternative suggestion as Vietnamese partner university of a VLIRUOS IUC programme would be Da Nang University.
Brief Presenation of Hue University: A brief presentation of Hue University (HU) as recommended
VLIR-UOS Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) Programme partner university under the Vietnam
Country Strategy is included under Annex 16 to this report. More facts and a more detailed description
with assessments can be found in the Hue University institutional fact sheet of potential VLIR-UOS
partner universities in Vietnam, included under Annex 7.1. The fact sheet has more detailed
information, amongst others, on expressed needs, opportunities and modalities for cooperation (e.g.
item 8: institutional policy, thematic and disciplinary needs/interest; opportunities; modalities), and on
potentials for VLIR-UOS Institutional University Cooperation.
1
With Hue University is meant the Hue University System consisting of 7 colleges (formerly
Universities) and 3 faculties. Hue University also covers the Branch University in Quang Tri Province.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
36
5.3. The IUC Programme Components and Areas of
Special Concern
IUC Programme Components: Although traditionally in the VLIR-UOS toolbox an Institutional
University Cooperation programme is a self-contained programme, the new Country Strategy and
Programme approach requires an IUC to be in line with the identified overall country strategy thematic
priorities and niche areas. For the proposed IUC with Hue University this requires this IUC to
concentrate especially on:
the cross-cutting thematic area of HEIs/RI institutional strengthening and reform 1 as main IUC
component, particularly in relation to the special Hue University set-up of a “University System”
(i)
with two administration levels as regional university in the Vietnamese educational system, and;
(ii)
secondly also on institutional networking with other universities (in the region, national and
international).
In line with the overall Country Strategy, the main IUC focal area is on (1) bio-sciences for food and
nutrition. Since the latter is a country strategy focal area suggested to be facilitated by a VLIR-UOS
Thematic Institutional Network (TIN), the funding of this IUC component is on a more reduced scale
and should concentrate on ensuring maximum compatibility and synergies with the TIN, which is
suggested to be spearheaded by Can Tho University as network hub and Hanoi University of
Agriculture as sub-hub. The other IUC components in line with the Country strategy are respectively:
(2) environment and natural resources, particularly in the perspective of climate change, (3)
public/rural health (with special focus on primary health care and on hospital management), and (4)
science and technology, particularly in the perspective of regional infrastructure improvement. (5)
Social sciences are given special attention as an IUC programme component (both thematic and
cross-cutting), with special focus on social sciences methodologies in relation to outreach and
extension services, facilitating more systematic translation of research in extension messages and
programmes. The strong general IUC focus on outreach/extension/spin-offs also includes
strengthening of the link / network of Hue University with its outreach post and with the different
University Colleges in the region (including on higher vocational / professional education and training)
IUC Special Areas of Attention: Special areas of attention, Key Result Areas and Sub-Areas (KRAs
and S-KRAs) of the IUC strategy and programme with Hue University are envisioned to include the
following:
(i)
Joint training programmes / degrees based on credit exchanges;
(ii)
Overall introduction of research based education;
(iii)
Innovative teaching methods;
(iv)
E-learning; (v) Distance education;
(v)
Vocational training development at HU branch in Quang Tri province and other VET
schools;
(vi)
Special focus on social science methodology development and multidisciplinary
engagement of social scientists and education specialists in research-extension
translations and operationalisations;
1
Which moreover is well in line with the very essence of an IUC, concentrating on institutional
aspects of university cooperation.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
37
(vii)
Socio-economic impact assessments;
(viii)
Exchanges of students between partners;
(ix)
Master and doctoral degree courses;
(x)
HR development for vocational training management:
(xi)
University governance (leadership, strategic planning, performance measurement of
institutes, academics and management, streamlining of procedures, rules and regulations,
one university vision and promotion;
(xii)
Education and research quality assurance;
(xiii)
Improvement / upliftment of selective programmes at regional / international level for
exchange and recognition credits;
(xiv)
Promotion of APPC model (symbiosis of three dimensions / partners to the benefit of the
Community: Academic, Public and Private sector);
(xv)
Networking for joint training, double degree programmes, credit exchanges and
recognition, particularly as satellite within the framework of the earlier described Thematic
Institutional Networks (TINs) under the Country Strategy;
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
38
6. The Vietnam Country Strategy
Decomposition and VLIR-UOS Toolbox
6.1. The Country Strategy Decomposition
Country Strategy Thematic Areas and Win-Win Niche Sub-Areas: Based on the desk phase
documents study and the field phase consultations in both Flanders and Vietnam, the thematic areas
and the added value niche sub-areas of the proposed VLIR-UOC Vietnam Country Strategy have
been identified. These are summarized in the earlier Table 2 and Figure 2. This aligning of Flemish
and Vietnamese HEIs/RIs niche areas with high potential win-win added value for both parties has
been done in a structured participatory manner engaging all parties and stakeholders concerned to
ensure the strategy’s relevance and ownership, and thus also the sustainability and impact of the
country programming based on this strategy aimed for.
The VLIR-UOS Country Strategy Tools: An integral part of the country strategy identification as per the
ToR has been the identification of the Vietnamese Higher Education Institute proposed for the
Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) programme within this strategy. This institutional screening
of Vietnamese HEIs/RIs for IUC programming purposes needed to be expanded to also cover the new
VLIR-UOS cooperation type / modality of TINs - Thematic Institutional Networks (identification of
network hubs and sub-hubs). As discussed earlier (see Chapter 2), for the Vietnam Country Strategy,
one IUC and two focal areas / core TINs are proposed, plus (possibly) three non focal areas / non-core
TINs. The earlier mentioned cross-cutting issues (Chapter 3) are mainstreamed within these tools and
programmes.
6.2. The Phased Introduction of Thematic Institutional
Networks
The Phased Approach for Strengthening Thematic Institutional Networks (TINs) under the Country
Strategy : For piloting purposes of the new TIN instrument in the VLIR-UOS toolbox it is suggested to
concentrate in first instance on the Bio-Sciences for Food and Nutrition TIN, especially also in view of
the advanced structure and status of Flemish-Vietnamese university cooperation in this thematic area
(including existing networks as ViFINET, ViBeFOODNET) with Can Tho University as network hub /
facilitator. Whereas the other CS focal area of “HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and reform” and
the three CS non-focal areas of respectively “Public/Rural Health”, “Environment and natural
resources (climate change)” and “Science and Technology (infrastructure)” are not yet in an advanced
stage of structural cooperation and networking, it is suggested for the first three years phase of the six
years country strategy Part One, to have these networks gradually built up through other existing
VLIR-UOS tools as Own Initiatives (OIs, in the new VLIR-UOS toolbox also referred to as TEAM
initiatives concentrating on Faculty / Department / Institute level cooperation) and South Initiatives
(SIs).
The Proposed Mid-Term Review of the Country Strategy and Programme: At the end of the first three
year cycle under the six year programme, the CS Mid-Term Review is suggested to assess the
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
39
progress of these initiatives and the overall maturity of the one focal and three non-focal areas to
possibly graduate into Thematic Institutional Networks for the second half of the CS cycle. This
phased strategy includes a pro-active stimulation of networking initiatives under the identified CS
thematic areas during the first three years of the country strategy cycle via the mentioned bottom-up
initiatives (OIs-TEAMs and/or SIs).
Two Three Year Phases with Gradually Strengthened TIN CS Modality: A gradual / phased transition
of VLIR-UOS Vietnam country strategy cooperation tools / modalities covering the two three year subperiods of the six year country strategy cycle is proposed. The present report basically concerns the
first three year period only. However some initial strategic thinking on the second phase and beyond
has already been engaged in at this early stage of the cycle. Those who are interested in some further
preliminary ideas along these lines can refer to Annex 17. Overall, it is suggested for the country
strategy to gradually focus more and more on Thematic Institutional Networks (TINs) as VLIR-UOS
country strategy cooperation tool “par excellence”.
The other two main VLIR-UOS country strategy tools are respectively (i) scholarships (at individual HR
level) and (ii) Own Initiatives / South Initiatives (OIs/SIs) at the level of HEI/RI faculties, departments,
institutes. As argued above, it is recommended to have the scholarships and, especially, the OIs and
SIs aligned with the Country Strategy thematic areas in order to ensure strategy coherence and focus,
and also to avoid scattering of scarce resources too thinly.
6.3. The Vietnam Country Strategy Summary Matrix of CS
Tools
The Vietnam Country Strategy Summary Matrix: The below matrix gives a summary overview of the
five levels of Country Strategy Results and Interventions (vertical axis) and the VLIR-UOS special
toolbox instruments designed for each of these levels (horizontal axis).
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
40
Figure 4 : Overview of Vietnam Country Strategy Results Levels
and Concomitant VLIR-UOS Tools (CS Phase I: 2013-1015)
Level of CS Results
Main Types of VLIR-IUC Country Strategy Tools, by Level
and Interventions
Overall Country Strategy
CS
Level
Country Thematic /
Sectoral Level
TINs
Overall HEI/RI Level:
University Institutional
Strengthening
IUC
CS Focal
Areas:
One TIN
Department Level:
Institutional Capacity
Strengthening at HEI Faculty
/ Department / Institute Level
Scholarships
- PhD, MSc
Individual Level:
HR capacity strengthening
- Short Term
in CS Thematic Areas
OI / SI
One (1)
Number of
Own / TEAM
Initiatives and
Institutional
University
Cooperation
programme
with
South
Initiatives,
focused on
the CS
Thematic
Areas
Hue
University
Institutionally
anchored
VLIR-UOS
Country
Strategy with
Vietnam
- Biosciences
for Food
CS Non-Focal
Areas:
No TIN yet
Coordination
and
complementarity with
other
Flemish,
Belgian and
International
DPs
The Country Strategy Budget and Proposed Programme Phasing and Up-Scaling: In the absence of
budget earmarking and allocation figures for the VLIR-UOS country strategy as of writing this report, it
has not been possible to determine the exact number of proposed Thematic Institutional Networking
(TIN) programmes beyond the first three year phase 2013-1015. In line with international practices1,
for the proposed VLIR-UOS Vietnam country strategy a distinction has been made between CS focal
and non-focal areas. Additionally taking into consideration actual networking capacity issues and
budgetary constraints, a phased introduction of TINs is suggested with in the first phase (2013-2015) a
piloting of the Biosciences for Food TIN. The same budgetary considerations pertain to the
determination of the number of OIs/SIs as well as the number of scholarships by type within the
country strategy.
For example in the European Union’s Country Strategy Papers / National Indicative Programmes
(CSPs/NIPs)
1
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
41
6.4. The Institutional Anchoring of the Vietnam Country
Strategy and Coordination
Institutional Anchoring of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy: An issue of critical importance is the solid
institutional anchoring of the whole, overall VLUR-UOS Vietnam country strategy in order to ensure its
continued alignment with and relevance vis-à-vis the Vietnam higher education and overall socioeconomic development policies and strategies, and also in order to ensure the synergy,
complementarity and mutually reinforcing effects of the individual programme components and
projects under the strategy. Different alternative options for the CS institutional anchoring are open for
possible consideration by the VLIR-UOS Board:
(i)
Anchoring within a special cell of the competent and mandated Government administration
(e.g. in the Ministry of Higher Education – MoET or in the Ministry of Science and
Technology - MoST);1
(ii)
Anchoring within one of the main component programmes of the Country Strategy. Because
of its very nature, the most obvious would be the HEIs/RIs Institutional Strengthening and
Reform TIN when activated, and as an interim contingency measure the IUC with Hue
University or the Biosciences TIN hub of Can Tho University;
(iii)
Anchoring within the overall structure of Belgian Flemish co-operation with Vietnam (e.g. as
an independent unit attached to the Development Cooperation Section of the Belgian
Embassy, or to the BTC-CTB Resident Representative to Vietnam & Cambodia);
(iv)
A special VLIR-UOS Country Strategy coordination and management cell in Vietnam,
independent from any other structure.
Country Strategy Coordinator: Whatever the VLIR-UOS decision on the preferred institutional
anchoring modality and location, it is recommended that a country strategy coordinator 2 is appointed
at least on a half time basis during the first three years of the strategy and on a full-time basis in the
second half of the period when the strategy runs on enlarged / full scale, possibly including up to five
institutional thematic networks. In the first half, one of the main tasks of the CS coordinator would be to
pro-actively stimulate the actual preparations and organisation of these phase II networks and to
support the phase I network on Biosciences for Food and Nutrition .
Institutional Anchoring of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy Main Components: For each of the main
individual components of the country strategy, the responsible HEIs/RIs will need to identified. This
pertains to the IUC (Hue University – already identified) and to the Thematic Institutional Networks (for
each TIN, both the hub and sub-hub). At this stage only Can Tho University (CTU) as proposed hub
for the Biosciences for Food/Nutrition TIN is identified. In a special networking conference and through
other formal and informal channels, Can Tho University is expected to identify its preferred sub-hub
and its network nodes institutional partners. As explained earlier, a TIN is expected to have, apart from
1
Whereas the discussions at MoET concentrated more on operational aspects of the strategy
(e.g. on joint degrees and rationalization / coordination of the different scholarship programmes), the
discussions at MoST were more strategic in nature. The latter provided positive indications regarding a
possible institutional anchoring of the strategy and programme, although the topic was not explicitly
discussed. It is suggested to have this issue as one of the main topics to be discussed when design
and developing the actual country programme, including its implementation and institutional
modalities.
2
Either an international expert or a national expert, preferably with a strong strategic
management and/or institutional networking facilitation background.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
42
the hub and sub-hub, at least four node network partners, thus a TIN has at least six Vietnamese
partner HEIs-RIs. As the networking is a growing process and in order to keep the network
manageable, it is suggested for the first three year phase of the CS to also not have more than six
HEIs/RIs in the network. As such, it is suggested for the Biosciences for Food / Nutrition TIN to have
six HEIs/RIs in the network, including CTU as hub and the sub-hub still to be identified.
Vietnam Country Strategy Phased Niches Framework: The Proposed Strategic Niche Country
Framework for Vietnam is summarized in the below Table 4. The framework depicts the proposed
strategy’s focus in terms of (i) Geographic focus; (ii) Thematic focus, and (iii) Cross-cutting issues
focus, with the concomitant VLIR-IUC country strategy cooperation tools / modalities. This summary
table only concerns the phase I period 2003-2005.1 The more detailed Table 1 under Annex 17 also
shows the proposed phasing over time, covering both 2003-2005 CS phase I and 2006-2008 phase II.
Table 4 : Proposed Phased Vietnam Country Strategy Niches Framework
Type of CS
Focus /
Modality
Geographic
Focus / Modality
Category
Country Strategy Phase I (2003-2005)
Supra-Country
Regional
Mekong Delta Region with Cambodia and Laos
(Via One Phase I TIN on Biosciences for Food/Nutrition)
Intra-Country Regional
- National
With Identification of Main Cooperation Modality / Tool
F1. Bio-sciences for food and nutrition: via TIN
Thematic
Areas
Focus Areas
F2. HEIs/RIs institutional strengthening and reform: via OIs / SIs
and component of IUC
N1. Environment and climate change: via OIs/SIs and component
of IUC
Non-Focus Areas
N2. Rural health: via OIs / SIs and component of IUC
N3. Science and technology, and infrastructure: via OIs / SIs and
component of IUC
Gender
Transversal
/ Crosscutting
Themes
Environment / Climate
Change
Mainstreamed in all VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Mainstreamed in all VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Governance
Mainstreamed in all VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Social Sciences
When applicable, mainstreamed in the VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC,
1
The more detailed Table 1 under Annex 17 also shows the proposed phasing over time,
covering both 2003-2005 CS phase I and 2006-2008 phase II.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
43
Type of CS
Focus /
Focus / Modality
Category
Modality
Country Strategy Phase I (2003-2005)
With Identification of Main Cooperation Modality / Tool
TINs & OIs/SIs
Transversal
/ Crosscutting
Themes
(continued)
VLIR-UOS
Intervention
Types / Tools
Social Protection and
Social Security
When applicable, relevant aspects of social protection and social
security mainstreamed in the VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs &
OIs/SIs
ICT
Mainstreamed in all VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Statistics & Statistical
Analysis
Mainstreamed in all VLIR-UOS CS tools: IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Research Based
Education
Overarching objective in all VLIR-UOS CS tools:
IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Institutional Networking
Main objective / Key Result Area of all VLIR-UOS CS tools:
IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Research / Education Extension and Spin-
Main objective / Key Result Area of all VLIR-UOS CS tools:
Offs
IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
Higher Professional
Education and Training
When applicable, mainstreamed in the VLIR-UOS CS tools:
IUC, TINs & OIs/SIs
National Strategy
Institutionally anchored
Thematic Networks
One TIN (Biosciences for Food / Nutrition)
Institutional
One IUC (Hue University – full scale)
Department / Faculty
Own Initiatives OIs / TEAM Initiatives and South Initiatives – Sis
(number to be determined depending on available budgetary
resources)
Scholarships (VLIR-UOS, bilateral and Vietnamese MoET and
HR Individual
MOST) mainly in the Country Strategy Focal and Non-Focal Areas
(MSc, PhD in joint / dual degree version plus technical or highly
specialised short-term courses)
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
44
6.5. Vietnam Country Strategy Summary Overview
Summary Overview of Interrelations between Country Strategy Thematic Areas, VLIR-UOS Key
Results Areas and Cooperation Tools: The summary overview Figure 5 on the next page is an attempt
to bring together all elements of the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy with Vietnam, including:

The Country Strategy Thematic Areas (strategy impact and outcome level);

The CS Transversal Themes, both overall developmental and more HE specific (strategy impact
and outcome level);

The VLIR-UOS cooperation Key Result Areas (activities and outputs – direct results level), and;

The various VLIR-UOS cooperation tools and modalities (inputs and activities level)
in one integrated scheme with special focus on the interrelations between the different strategy levels
and within each of these levels.
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
45
Figure 5 : VLIR-UOS Vietnam Country Strategy Programme with VLIR-UOS Cooperation Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Cooperation Tools
Development
Transversal Themes
Mutually Reinforcing Synergy of Country Strategy Thematic Areas
Aligned with the Vietnam National Development Strategies
Higher Education
Transversal Themes
Sustainable and Equitable
Socio-Economic Development
and Poverty Alleviation
Gender
Governance and
Organisational
Development
Research Based
Education
Biosciences for
Food / Nutrition
Social Protection
and Social Security
(Extension and SpinOffs)
Environment and
Natural Resources
(Climate Change)
Public / Rural
Health
Environment and
Climate Change
Research-Education
and
Community
Outreach
Science and
Technology
(Infrastructure)
Higher Professional /
Vocational Education
and Training
HEIs/RIs Institutional
Strengthening and
Reform
IS Support Services:
-
HIV / AIDS
Institutional
Networking
ICT
Statistics & Analysis
Social Sciences
Network Development
...
VLIR-UOS University Cooperation Key Result Areas (KRAs)
Education
Research
Community
Outreach
Human Resources
Development
Management
Development
Infrastructure
Development
Networking
VLIR-UOS Toolbox of Country Programme Tools and Modalities
National Programme
Anchoring and
Coordination
Thematic Institutional
Networks (TINs)
Institutional University
Cooperation (IUC)
Department Level
Own / Team Initiatives
& South Initiatives
Vietnam Strategy Identification Mission Final Report
Individual Scholarships
(Degree & Short Term)
46