Within the framework of the project "Enhancing Internationalization Capacity for New Universities in Vietnam – STRIVE" under the European Union's Erasmus+ Program, the STRIVE Project Workshop took place from June 25 to 26, 2026, at Quang Ninh University of Industry. The workshop served as a forum for member institutions to evaluate project implementation results, exchange experiences, discuss, and propose solutions aimed at improving governance capacity, enhancing international cooperation, and promoting the internationalization of higher education in Vietnam.
The workshop welcomed the attendance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, Vice President of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance; Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Thao from Hanoi University, the Project's National Coordinator Representative; along with leaders of member universities, including Dr. Hoang Hung Thang, Rector of Quang Ninh University of Industry, and Dr. Nguyen Huu Chuc, Vice Rector of Phu Xuan University – Hue. International institutional partners, including the AlmaLaurea Interuniversity Consortium (Italy), the University of Évora (Portugal), and the University of Tuscia (Italy), attended the event online.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, Vice President of the Academy, attends and speaks at the workshop.During the first working session on June 25, 2026, delegates focused on discussing key components of the STRIVE Project, reviewing and finalizing content related to the establishment of the International Virtual Center (IVC), while assigning tasks and developing an operational roadmap to update information on the IVC portal.
Additionally, participants listened to an overview of the workshop, the objectives, content, and implementation methodology of the project, alongside an assessment of the current status, implementation progress, and outstanding results achieved by the STRIVE Project up to May 31, 2026.
Within the scope of this session, delegates also exchanged and shared experiences to raise awareness and enhance communication efforts regarding the European Union's Erasmus+ Program. Concurrently, the workshop dedicated time to discuss the implementation status of projects under the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program related to sustainable tourism, thereby proposing solutions and initiatives to refine and develop new international cooperation projects in the near future.
International delegates attend the workshopThe second working session on June 26, 2026, focused on discussions regarding the formulation orientation for a CBHE project proposal in the field of sustainable tourism development. Delegates discussed objectives, content, cooperation models, implementation plans, and networking mechanisms between domestic and international partners to construct a feasible project that meets human resource development demands and promotes internationalization in sustainable tourism.
Furthermore, the workshop reached a consensus on strategic directions to ensure project sustainability after the funding period ends. This includes focusing on the establishment of the International Virtual Center, building monitoring and evaluation tools, and expanding the network of participating universities to maintain and maximize the effectiveness of the project's outcomes in the subsequent phase.
A panoramic view of the workshopFollowing two days of active, rigorous, and productive work, the workshop successfully completed its entire agenda. Partners agreed on several vital matters regarding the operation of the International Virtual Center (IVC), assigned tasks for the implementation of STRIVE project activities, and finalized the proposal design orientation for the CBHE Project on sustainable tourism.
The achieved outcomes not only help accelerate the implementation progress of the STRIVE project but also open up numerous opportunities for international cooperation in research, training, and high-quality human resource development among the participating universities and partners.
About the STRIVE Project (2024–2027): The project aims to enhance internationalization capacity and modernize international cooperation activities within Vietnamese universities. Simultaneously, it fosters connectivity between European and Vietnamese higher education institutions. The STRIVE Project aligns with the goals of the Erasmus+ CBHE Program, enabling higher education institutions in Vietnam to access opportunities funded by the Erasmus+ cooperation support framework.
After 30 months of project implementation, alongside tasks within the general plan, the Academy of Public Administration and Governance has advanced various international partnerships with new partners, such as the University of Porto (Portugal), Panteion University (Greece), and the University of Foggia (Italy), through numerous meetings, seminars, scientific research, and cooperation promotional activities. Notably, the Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Cooperation Agreement with the University of Tuscia (Italy) to implement exchange activities, sending 2 lecturers in 2025 and 2 students in 2026.