Immediately after attending the 2nd Vietnam–Czech Roundtable on Higher Education, Science & Technology and Innovation in Prague on 9 September 2026, the delegation of Hanoi University (HANU), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Trao – Rector of the University, continued its working programme with partner universities in the Czech Republic.
At the Roundtable, HANU exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding and a Student Exchange Agreement with the University of South Bohemia (USB), and also exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with Tomas Bata University in Zlín (UTB). These agreements further developed connections that had already been prepared with the support of the European Cooperation Center (ECC), Ton Duc Thang University. In May 2026, Dr. Phan Dao – Director of ECC – together with representatives of the Faculty of Economics of the University of South Bohemia visited and worked with HANU in Hanoi, laying the groundwork for subsequent cooperation between the two universities.
Working with the University of South Bohemia: from initial connection to concrete cooperation
On 10 September 2026, the HANU delegation visited and worked with the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.
The delegation was received by the university leadership together with representatives of the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Education and the International Relations Office, who discussed possible areas of cooperation for the coming period.
The meeting directly followed the agreements exchanged one day earlier at the Vietnam–Czech Roundtable, where Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Trao – Rector of HANU and Prof. Vladimír Žlábek – Vice-Rector of the University of South Bohemia exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding and Student Exchange Agreement between the two universities.
The two institutions identified several promising areas for cooperation, including student mobility, exchanges of academic and administrative staff, direct links between faculties and academic units, joint teaching, research and other academic activities. The Faculty of Economics of USB also proposed the creation of an online platform connecting departments of the two universities in order to present their academic strengths and identify suitable topics for cooperation.
Czech language teaching and Bohemian Studies – a cooperation area with long-term significance
One of the key topics discussed by the two sides was the renewal and further development of Czech language teaching at HANU.
The Rector of HANU expressed the University’s interest in restoring Czech language teaching and continuing the tradition of Czech studies that had previously existed at HANU. Representatives of the Faculty of Education of USB also participated directly in discussions on possible cooperation in this field.
This direction is particularly well aligned with HANU’s strengths in foreign-language education, linguistics and cultural studies, while also having long-term value for educational and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
In parallel with the cooperation involving HANU, ECC has also discussed with Czech partners the possibility of developing Czech language courses at Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City. Under this orientation, Czech language teaching could gradually be developed in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of Czech academic partners in teaching, academic exchange, learning materials and research related to Czech language and culture.
From MoU to direct implementation between academic units
A positive outcome of the visit to USB was the agreement that cooperation should not remain only at the level of framework documents.
The two universities agreed to establish direct contacts between relevant academic units and to continue discussions in order to identify concrete activities that could be implemented as soon as possible.
This approach helps shorten the distance between signing agreements and implementing practical cooperation, while enabling faculties and departments to proactively develop programmes based on their respective needs and strengths.
Rector of Tomas Bata University receives the HANU delegation
On the morning of 11 September 2026, the HANU delegation continued its working programme at Tomas Bata University in Zlín (UTB).
The delegation was received by Prof. Milan Adámek – Rector of UTB, with whom the parties discussed future directions for cooperation between the two universities. Dr. Phan Dao – Director of the European Cooperation Center (ECC) also attended the meeting.
The meeting in Zlín followed the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding between HANU and UTB at the Vietnam–Czech Roundtable on 9 September 2026. The discussions focused on cooperation programmes that could be implemented in the near future and that are consistent with the internationalisation strategies of both universities.
Following the meeting with the UTB leadership, the HANU delegation also worked with representatives of the Faculty of Management and Economics (FaME). The discussions included the possibility of sending HANU students to study at UTB for one semester, expanding student and staff exchanges, and providing opportunities for HANU lecturers to participate in doctoral programmes in the Czech Republic.
ECC – a bridge from initial contact to practical cooperation
The HANU delegation’s visit illustrates a clear cooperation pathway: initial contact – preparation – signing – academic discussions – practical implementation.
Throughout this process, ECC supported HANU in connecting with Czech partner universities before the Roundtable, continued to facilitate the signing process, and supported direct working sessions at USB and UTB. From the visit of USB Faculty of Economics representatives to HANU in May 2026 to the sequence of activities from 9 to 11 September 2026 in the Czech Republic, the cooperation gradually moved from initial contacts towards concrete programmes with practical implementation potential.
This also reflects ECC’s broader approach to international cooperation: identifying suitable partners, helping develop relevant cooperation content, and supporting academic units in moving quickly from agreements to implementation.
In addition to cooperation with HANU, ECC continues to promote partnerships with Czech universities in areas such as Czech language teaching, student and staff mobility, doctoral education, research and academic events, thereby contributing to the further development of university cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.
