SLSU strengthens global reach through strategic partnerships in Vietnam
Demonstrating Southern Leyte State University's commitment to global engagement and academic excellence, University President Dr. Jude A. Duarte successfully secured key international collaborations during his official visits to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) and the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Vietnam on June 17–18, 2026.
The high-level meetings strengthened SLSU's growing international network and resulted in significant commitments that will create new opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers.
At HUTECH, discussions reaffirmed the strong partnership established through successful student and faculty exchange programs and international collaborative initiatives. Building on these achievements, HUTECH formally agreed to serve as an international co-host of the SLSU International Conference on Technology, Education, and Community Outreach (ICTECO) 2026 this November. Both universities also committed to expanding cooperation through joint research and publications, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programs, faculty mobility initiatives, and a proposed four-country student immersion program involving institutions from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Present during the meeting were Dr. Ly Thien Trang, Vice President for Academic Affairs and International Relations; Ms. Nguyen Lan Huong, Head of the Department of International Relations and Project Management; Mr. Hao; Mr. Phuong; and Dr. Thanh from the Marketing, Information and Business Department. Notably, the latter three faculty members previously participated in the International Immersion Program hosted by SLSU in February 2025.
Meanwhile, SLSU's engagement with UMT opened new avenues for collaboration. UMT expressed its willingness to host SLSU students and faculty for future exchange and immersion programs and signified its intention to send students to SLSU beginning in 2027. The university also conveyed strong interest in participating in SLSU's COIL initiatives, pursuing joint research and publication projects, and collaborating in international conferences and academic activities.
Joining the discussions at UMT were Dr. Nguyen Canh Tuan, Vice President; Dr. Ngo Minh Hung, Director of the Department of External Relations and Scientific Research Management; and Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Representative of the Center for Information and Library Services.
The meetings concluded with both HUTECH and UMT expressing strong support for the collaborative initiatives presented by Dr. Jude A. Duarte, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing internationalization, research innovation, academic excellence, and global engagement. These strengthened partnerships further position SLSU as an active player in the international higher education community, creating transformative opportunities for students and faculty through exchange programs, research collaborations, and cross-border learning experiences in an increasingly interconnected world.
