The HCMUS delegation touring the Central Viet Nam Geological Division.

On 19 January, the Faculty of Geology at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) held an introductory meeting with the Central Viet Nam Geological Division at their headquarters in Gia Lai Province. The discussion aimed towards the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions.

The HCMUS delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Phạm Trung Hiếu, Dean of the Faculty of Geology, accompanied by researchers Phạm Minh and Nguyễn Thị Trường Giang. Joining the delegation was Assoc. Prof. Kenta Kawaguchi from Hiroshima University (Japan), who is currently engaged in collaborative research with the Faculty. Representing the Central Viet Nam Geological Division were Dr. Dương Ngọc Tình, Division Head; M.Sc. Trần Huynh, Deputy Division Head; M.Sc. Bùi Xuân Kiều, Head of Administration; and M.Sc. Nguyễn Thanh Bình, Head of Laboratory Analysis, alongside various technical and planning department leads.

During the proceedings, Dr. Dương Ngọc Tình expressed great pleasure in strengthening ties with HCMUS across education, research, and technology transfer. Dr. Dương Ngọc Tình highlighted the significant potential for partnership in mineral exploration and extraction—specifically regarding rare earth elements—noting that joint efforts to enhance analytical capacity would bolster both research efficacy and practical applications.

Reflecting on the high calibre of the University’s education, MSc. Bùi Xuân Kiều commended the professional competence and work ethic of HCMUS alumni currently employed at the Division. The Head of Administration further expressed a keen desire to welcome more students from the Faculty for internships and future career opportunities.

The two parties reached a consensus on strategic directions for education and scientific research, with a planned cooperation framework spanning three to five years. Under this agreement, undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as lecturers from the Faculty of Geology, will be granted opportunities to participate in internships and research projects focused on mineral and urban geology managed by the Division. Furthermore, the Division will provide geological specimens for the Faculty’s gallery and collaborate with academic staff to advance laboratory analysis and high-tech applications.

As part of the programme, Assoc. Prof. Kenta Kawaguchi presented recent research findings and discussed international cooperation in geology and minerals, opening new avenues for future scientific development.

On behalf of the delegation, Assoc. Prof. Phạm Trung Hiếu extended gratitude to the Central Viet Nam Geological Division for the warm reception and for providing invaluable practical environments for HCMUS students and researchers. The visit also included a tour of the Division’s analytical facilities to enhance the effectiveness of joint research initiatives.

The two organisations intend to sign the formal MOU before May 2026. According to the proposed roadmap, students and researchers from the Faculty will be deployed to Division projects between March and October. Simultaneously, scientists from both HCMUS and the Division will collaborate on deep-seated mineral exploration projects in the Central Highlands and research schemes for construction materials.

This meeting serves as a concrete step in the HCMUS mission to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice. By expanding professional and international networks, the University continues to leverage fundamental education to produce high-quality human resources capable of driving sustainable development in the geological sector.

Source: Faculty of Geology