To strengthen friendship and promote cooperation in education, scientific research and professional activities, on the afternoon of 2 April 2026 Tay Bac University held an online meeting with Souphanouvong University (Lao People’s Democratic Republic). The meeting focused on discussing and agreeing on the content of the 2026–2030 cooperation agreement, as well as on Souphanouvong University’s support for Tay Bac University in opening an undergraduate programme in Lao–Thai Language Teacher Education in 2026.
Attending the meeting from Souphanouvong University were Dr. Somchay Phaignavong, Vice President, together with leaders of the Academic Affairs Office, the Planning and Project Management Office, and leaders and lecturers of the Faculty of Languages. Tay Bac University was represented by Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector; Dr. Do Hong Duc, Vice Rector; leaders of the Offices of Science, Technology and International Cooperation; Academic Affairs; Quality Assurance, Inspection and Legal Affairs; Political Affairs and Student Management; Finance and Accounting; and Organisation and Administration, as well as representatives of faculty boards, staff and lecturers.
Photo 1: Tay Bac University delegates attending the meeting
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector of Tay Bac University, highlighted the University’s 66-year tradition of development and 25 years of university-level training. The University is proud of its long experience in training Lao students since the 1980s. Over the past ten years, it has trained more than 1,500 Lao students. It currently has more than 5,000 students, including 355 Lao students, affirming its role in developing human resources for Laos and strengthening Viet Nam–Laos cooperation.
Photo 2: The Rector of Tay Bac University delivers the opening remarks
Building on the relationship between the two universities and the cooperation agreement signed in 2019, the two sides held frank discussions and reached basic agreement on the key contents of the cooperation agreement for the new period. Tay Bac University and Souphanouvong University agreed to relaunch and promote substantive, effective and mutually beneficial cooperation for 2026–2030, focusing on core areas: training and human resource development (lecturer and student exchanges), scientific research and other professional activities.
Photo 3: Overview of the meeting between the two universities
In particular, Souphanouvong University committed to actively supporting Tay Bac University in opening the undergraduate programme in Lao–Thai Language Teacher Education in 2026, meeting the human resource needs of Northwest Viet Nam and contributing to cultural and educational exchanges between Viet Nam and Laos. The two universities will continue discussions to specify tasks such as curriculum development, sending lecturers to teach and developing learning materials.
To implement the agreed contents effectively, Tay Bac University proposed that the focal units of both universities continue to coordinate closely and maintain regular exchanges so as to finalise the 2026–2030 cooperation agreement and proceed to its official signing. The two sides will also soon develop detailed implementation plans for each area of cooperation to ensure feasibility in practice.
On the occasion of Bun Pi Mai, the traditional Lao New Year, on behalf of the leadership of Tay Bac University, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh extended his best New Year wishes to Dr. Somchay Phaignavong and the staff and lecturers of Souphanouvong University, expressing his confidence that the cooperation between the two universities will continue to grow and bring practical results.
The online meeting was a success, opening a promising new period of cooperation between the two universities. The efforts and close engagement of both sides will help further consolidate the “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion” between the two Parties, the two States and the peoples of Viet Nam and Laos.
Some photos from the meeting:
Photo 4: Overview of the meeting at Tay Bac University
Photo 5: Dr. Dang Thi Hong Lien, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, speaks at the meeting
Photo 6: Delegates pose for a souvenir photo
