On December 15th, 2023, a reception for Vietnamese alumni of Hiroshima University (HU) was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. HU President Mitsuo Ochi, Executive Vice President for Global Initiatives Shinji Kaneko, Dean of the School of Applied Biological Science Masayuki Shimada, and Professor Tran Dang Xuan of the IDEC Institute participated in the reception along with over 20 alumni. Alumni of Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs Executive Education Program conducted by HU as well as Consul General Ms. Vu Chi Mai of the Consulate General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Fukuoka also attended the reception with its lively atmosphere.

In his welcome speech, President Ochi reported on the university’s priority projects and recent notable achievements, and explained the university's efforts related to Vietnam. With 65 Vietnamese students currently studying at HU and over 300 Vietnamese HU alumni, students from Vietnam comprise the third largest number of international students studying at HU. He also mentioned the Executive Education Program that HU offers on local administration and public policy for executive-level government officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In addition, he expressed his expectations for the revitalization of alumni activities, saying, “I would like to make the alumni community more vibrant in the future.”

Afterward, Consul General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Fukuoka, Ms. Vu Chi Mai, gave a speech, saying, “I hope that Hiroshima University’s robust network of alumni will contribute to the development of friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan.” Finally, as the alumni representative, Mr. Tran Ngoc Linh of the Ministry of Construction’s Agency for Urban Development said, “I am very happy and proud that Hiroshima University is developing various projects in Vietnam. I will do the utmost as an alumnus to support them.” After his speech, the venue became lively as he presented President Ochi with a commemorative gift.

Alumni from diverse backgrounds, working in government, academia, and the private sector, shared memories of their study-abroad days and stories about their recent activities, creating a heartwarming moment for the participants.

HU has been making efforts to promote exchange with Vietnam, with President Ochi meeting with H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during his visit to Japan for the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023, and with H.E. Mr. Vo Van Thuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in November. It is hoped that this reception for alumni will promote collaboration with government institutions, universities, and private businesses in Vietnam.