On May 16, 2023, Vinh Long University of Technical Education (VLUTE) welcomed and worked with the working delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Vocational Education and Training of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (VET Lao) to exchange and discuss matters related to the "Comprehensive Economic Growth Skills and Knowledge Program" (SKIEG).

Attending from ADB were Ms. Sakiko Tanaka - Senior Social Specialist, Mr. Pham Duc Tien - Deputy Director of the ODA-funded Project Management Department (Department of Foreign Affairs). From VLUTE, the delegation was received and worked with by Prof. Dr. Cao Hung Phi - Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hong Ky - Vice Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung - Chairman of the University Council, Mr. Nguyen Minh Sang - Vice Rector, along with the leadership team of departments, faculties, and centers.

Prof. Dr. Cao Hung Phi delivering a welcome speech to the delegation

During the meeting, VLUTE reported to the ADB evaluation delegation on Component 3 of the project - Part 1 and the progress of Component 03 activities: the implementation status of bidding packages, receipt of equipment packages TB 02, TB 08, TB 10, and the process of building equipment lists, integrating them into teaching for the Mechanical Engineering and Electrical - Electronics departments, along with related activities on gender, soft skills, 5S activities, community service, financial management issues, all of which were detailed by the University during the meeting.

According to Prof. Dr. Cao Hung Phi: "The project was initiated five years ago to invest in key sectors and has now been put into operation for teaching at the Mechanical Engineering and Electrical - Electronics departments. During the project implementation process, the University has always welcomed the opinions and contributions of experts both domestically and internationally, elevating the institution to a new level by incorporating modern equipment into the teaching process."

The ADB and VET Lao delegation inspecting equipment from the project

Ms. Sakiko Tanaka highly praised the project implementation process of the University: "I am very pleased to be here and sincerely appreciate the efforts of the faculty throughout the project implementation process. We truly appreciate the organizational and implementation work of VLUTE, which demonstrates that at this stage VLUTE is one of the very few universities that have successfully implemented the SKIEG project. With the purpose of reviewing the project implementation, progress, and integration into teaching, ADB is also preparing to implement a similar project for Laos, hoping that this meeting will allow the University to share experiences to enhance the quality of education and efficient use of equipment invested from the project for Laos."

VLUTE shared its preparations with VET Lao for the initial period of participation in the project, the form of selecting majors, equipment, and how to integrate equipment into teaching for the most effective results.

VLUTE is one of two universities benefiting from the project and is also the university receiving the most funding (8.4 million USD) for three fields: mechanical engineering, electrical - electronics, and food technology. This will facilitate the establishment and equipping of high-tech technology center systems, high-quality laboratory practice systems, paving the way for VLUTE's development to reach a global level.

Event images: view here