(VNF) - The Vietnam-Japan University (VJU), under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi), launched the academic year 2016-2017 and officially started its first training courses at a ceremony on September 9^th.

The ceremony saw the presence of Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha together with representatives of several ministries of Vietnam and Japan, as well as educational experts and enterprises from both countries.

Opening Ceremony of Vietnam Japan University (VJU) held on September 9^th. (Photo: vnu.edu.vn)

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Phung Xuan Nha said that the university marked the combination of Japanese education-one of the leading educational approaches in the world-and VNU-Vietnam’s leading training and research centre.

He praised the contributions that both Vietnamese and Japanese professors and scientists have made in compiling training curricula for the courses.

According to VNU-Hanoi President Nguyen Kim Son, the Prime Minister signed a decision to establish the VJU on July 21^st, 2014, as part of efforts to realize the two government’s policies of boosting bilateral education co-operation.

The university has both Vietnamese and Japanese members in its management and teaching staff. In the first year of operation, the university offered six master’s training courses in nano technology, environmental technique, infrastructure technique, regional studies, public policies, and business administration, and has recruited 72 students.

The courses will be run with assistance provided by Japan’s well-known tertiary establishments such as the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, University of Tsukuba, Yokohama National University, Waseda University, and Ritsumeikan University.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and related Japanese schools will send experienced lecturers to take charge of at least 50 per cent of specialized modules in each course. The rest will be covered by the VNU and VJU lecturers.

Motoo Furuta, the university’s rector, said the university aimed to create a new model of training in Vietnam which adopted new viewpoints on tertiary education, combining training with research and establishing links with businesses.

According to the rector, at least half of the 72 post graduate students will have a chance to get a three-month internship at universities, research institutions and enterprises in Japan, while the remaining will be arranged to work as interns in Vietnamese companies and organizations.

The university has set the target that one third of graduated students will go on to doctor’s programmes abroad, while the other two thirds will find jobs in Japanese enterprises, government offices and international organizations./.

Minh Phuong