The Delegation of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam Visited and Worked with Thai Nguyen University Updated

On November 27, the delegation of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam, led by H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam, visited and worked with Thai Nguyen University. Joining the delegation was H.E. Joy Puentes Saldise, Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Cuba to Viet Nam. Representatives of the Office of the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen Province attended the meeting.

Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, PhD, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Thai Nguyen University, hosted this event. Representatives of the functional departments and centers of Thai Nguyen University, and leaders from the university members of Thai Nguyen University attended the meeting.

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Thai Nguyen University, speaks at the meeting.

At the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, PhD expressed his pleasure and sincere appreciation for the delegation’s visit and their interest in Thai Nguyen University. He emphasized that the special friendship and strong solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba serve as an important foundation for expanding educational and training cooperation between the two countries, as well as between Thai Nguyen University and Cuban universities.

Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, PhD presented an overview of Thai Nguyen University—a key regional national university with more than 115,000 learners. The number of lecturers and high-quality scientists continues to grow, with over 1,000 PhDs (accounting for 41% of all lecturers); 206 Professors and Associate Professors, ranking sixth among higher education institutions nationwide; along with many outstanding achievements in acedemics and  research, digital transformation, and global integration.

About the achievements of international cooperation and research, Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, PhD noted that Thai Nguyen University has ranked among the Top 10 universities in Vietnam with the most publications in reputable international journals for five consecutive years. The university has cooperated with more than 130 countries, territories, and international organizations; and has attracted over 1,000 international students for full-time, short-term, and cultural exchange programs. In 2025, Thai Nguyen University welcomed the first Cuban students. The President hopes to further strengthen cooperation with Cuban universities and research institutes in academic training, faculty and student exchanges, research, and technology development.

The President of Thai Nguyen University proposed several key cooperation areas, including: sponsoring Cuban students with full scholarships; exchanging officials, lecturers, and students; co-hosting short-term training courses in engineering, industry, vaccine and pharmaceutical production; and opening bilingual English–Spanish training programs. In research, the two sides could collaborate on joint projects in biotechnology, agriculture, vaccines, processing industries, and high-tech applications. Thai Nguyen University is preparing to establish the Institute for Excellence in Education in December. Once established, it will jointly implement several scientific research programs with Cuban universities.

Photo: H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam, gave a speech at the meeting.

At the meeting, H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm and gracious reception from Thai Nguyen University. He affirmed that the Cuban people always hold deep affection and admiration for the Vietnamese people. He also congratulated Thai Nguyen University on its achievements in research serving northern Vietnam and the country as a whole. On the occasion of the forthcoming 65 anniversary of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations (1960–2025), the Ambassador reaffirmed the special friendship and close solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, and expressed his desire to continue strengthening cooperation in various fields, especially education and science-technology.

The Ambassador highly appreciated the cooperation proposals from Thai Nguyen University; pledged efforts to send Cuban students to study in Vietnam as soon as possible; and committed to promoting short-term training programs, joint research cooperation, and exchanges of experts and students. He welcomed the expansion of language training cooperation, including sending Vietnamese lecturers to teach Vietnamese to Cuban students; and suggested that Thai Nguyen University send delegates to attend international conferences on information technology and education in Cuba. The Ambassador also expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and Big Data. The Cuban Embassy affirmed its commitment to serving as a bridge to foster cooperation between Thai Nguyen University and Cuban partners in the coming time.

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Thai Nguyen University, presented a souvenir to H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam.

Photo: The delegation of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam took a commemorative photo with the leadership and staff of Thai Nguyen University.

The meeting with the Cuban Embassy opened up many promising cooperation opportunities, contributing to further strengthening the traditional solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, and creating an important foundation for promoting cooperation in education, research, and technology transfer between Thai Nguyen University and Cuban higher education institutions in the future.