From 15 to 22 July, a delegation from the Faculty of Geology, VNUHCM-University of Science (HCMUS), undertook an official visit to four partner universities in Taiwan. The mission aimed to expand the university’s international network in education and research, while also promoting substantive and sustainable academic exchange programmes with leading educational and research institutions in East Asia.

At the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), the delegation held discussions with the Faculty of Earth Sciences, focusing on postgraduate education programmes and key research directions, including magmatic petrology, sedimentology, petroleum geology, geotechnics, and geological hazards, among others. NTNU reaffirmed the commitment to continuing support for short-term exchange scholarships (ranging from 1 to 6 months) for undergraduates and postgraduates, thereby opening up more practical academic opportunities. Recognised as one of Taiwan’s leading universities, NTNU has strong foundations in both education sciences and applied natural sciences.

At National Taiwan University (NTU) – ranked 68th globally by QS World University Rankings 2025 – the delegation engaged with both the Faculty of Geosciences and the Faculty of Geography. The meetings explored the curriculum for Land Economics and included a tour of NTU’s laboratories and geological museum. Both sides agreed to develop joint classes in a blended online-offline format and to initiate interdisciplinary research projects. Particular emphasis will be placed on applications in land resources, environmental science, and sustainable planning.

The next visit was to National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT – Taipei Tech). In addition to academic discussions, lecturers and students from both institutions conducted a joint field study in northern and central Taiwan. This marked the beginning of a long-term plan to establish structured bilateral field education programmes. Further agreements included strengthening links across three key pillars – education, research, and industry – implementing joint classes, expanding exchange scholarships, and co-organising a specialised workshop at HCMUS in early 2026. Two students from the Faculty of Geology previously participated in NTUT’s 2025 Summer Scholarship Programme, demonstrating tangible progress in academic collaboration.

Delegation participating in fieldwork with NTUT lecturers and students.

Beyond university engagements, the delegation also met with the management board of the Yehliu Global Geopark. The park’s representative expressed interest in attending an international conference to be hosted by the Faculty of Geology in Viet Nam in 2026. This opens promising prospects for cooperation in the development of geopark models – an approach that bridges scientific research and community engagement.

Another key highlight was the meeting with the NTUT Alumni Association in Hualien City. Discussions centred on potential collaboration in mineral resource extraction and processing, alongside the proposal of a tripartite model connecting the university, industry, and alumni. This model aims to mobilise the scientific community in knowledge transfer and learner support.

To conclude the mission, the delegation visited National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), a top-tier institution in marine sciences and maritime technology. Both sides shared visions for collaboration in marine geology, oceanic mineral resources, and interdisciplinary research combining geology and oceanography. Discussions also covered future exchange programmes for lecturers and learners, as well as co-hosting thematic scientific workshops.

This official visit to Taiwan marked a significant step in advancing the internationalisation strategy of HCMUS. Meetings featured in-depth academic dialogues, interdisciplinary focus, and practical applications, while also creating meaningful opportunities for faculty members, undergraduates, and postgraduates to broaden their academic horizons, enhance research capabilities, and strengthen global engagement. The outcomes reaffirm the university’s growing reputation, quality in education, and capacity for international integration.