On July 27, 2026, Saga University welcomed Her Excellency Consul General Trịnh Thị Mai Phương of the Consulate General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Fukuoka for a courtesy visit. The occasion provided an opportunity to explore new avenues for academic cooperation, scholarly engagement, and industry partnerships while reaffirming the institution’s longstanding ties with Vietnam. This was her first visit to Saga University since taking office.

President Koichi Node, Vice President for International Affairs Maiko Sakamoto, and representatives from the Faculty of Agriculture, including Dean Akihiro Suzuki, Professor Kazunari Tsuji, Assistant Professor Tran Thi Thu Thuy, and Assistant Professor Kanako Minagi, attended the meeting. Mr. Nobuyasu Nikai, Special Advisor and Secretary to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary League, also joined the discussions.

Saga University has fostered academic and educational links with Vietnam since signing an agreement with Vietnam National University of Agriculture in 2000. Since then, it has broadened its network of partner institutions to include five Vietnamese universities, welcomed students from the country, undertaken joint initiatives, and supported the growth of alumni communities throughout Vietnam.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on a wide range of topics related to higher education, scientific advancement, and international engagement. Professor Tsuji and his colleagues presented an ongoing Japan-Vietnam project focused on a sustainable circular economy, carried out in cooperation with organizations including Vietnam National University of Agriculture. They also shared the outcomes of a workshop held at Saga University in March. Consul General Trịnh expressed her appreciation for these efforts, noting their relevance to Vietnam’s national development priorities.

The discussion also highlighted the contributions of Vietnamese members of the Saga University community. The institution currently hosts eight students from Vietnam, while Assistant Professor Tran Thi Thu Thuy, a Saga University alumna, continues to play an active role in its educational and scholarly activities. Assistant Professor Kanako Minagi introduced her work conducted in Vietnam in fluent Vietnamese, which was warmly received by the Consul General.

President Node also introduced Saga University’s School of Cosmetic Science, Japan’s first educational and research program of its kind at a national university, established in April 2026. The Consul General noted the growing interest in this field within Vietnam’s cosmetics industry and expressed expectations for future cooperation involving both higher education institutions and the private sector.

Looking ahead, both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening ties in education, scientific innovation, industry engagement, and people-to-people connections. Saga University’s participation in the Japan-Vietnam University Presidents’ Conference at Osaka University in October was highlighted as an important opportunity to deepen bilateral relations. Mr. Nikai also shared information about an international forum scheduled to be held in Vietnam in September, as well as recent developments in international exchange at the national and local government levels. He expressed his hope that Saga University would play a role in strengthening ties between the Saga community and Vietnam.

Through this visit, Saga University reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its longstanding relationship with Vietnam and to creating new opportunities for cooperation in education, innovation, and human resource development.

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　　 Office for International Planning, Saga University
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