FEMMA Marks the 5th Anniversary of Its Establishment with Development-Oriented Symposium

On 10 July 2026, the Females from Ethnic and Mountainous Areas Research and Development Center (FEMMA) at Thai Nguyen University (TNU) held a symposium to commemorate the 5th anniversary of its establishment (15 July 2021 – 15 July 2026).

Caption: Overview of the symposium.

Dr. Lo Giang Pao, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Mountainous Economic Development, together with advisory experts, researchers, and representatives of partner organizations attended the event.

On Thai Nguyen University side, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Member of the Standing Committee of the TNU Party Committee and Vice President of Thai Nguyen University, leaders of functional departments, FEMMA staff, part-time specialists, and student collaborators attended the symposium.

Advancing Towards an Applied Research and Community Development Hub

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha emphasized that since its establishment in 2021, FEMMA has been committed to conducting research, fostering partnerships, and promoting initiatives that support the development of ethnic minority and mountainous women, thereby contributing to Thai Nguyen University's social responsibility towards the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.

Through innovation, dedication, and proactive engagement, FEMMA has gradually established its reputation through research, training, consultancy, knowledge transfer, community development projects, and partnerships with local authorities, international organizations, and domestic and overseas universities. The Center has actively addressed practical challenges facing ethnic minority and mountainous communities, including gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, digital transformation and artificial intelligence for cooperative development, preservation and promotion of ethnic cultural heritage, and support for youth and vulnerable groups. These achievements have strengthened the University's reputation and demonstrated its commitment to sustainable regional development.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Ha acknowledged the dedication and valuable contributions of FEMMA's staff, collaborators, experts, partners, and generations of students who have supported the Center throughout its development.

Looking ahead, he called on FEMMA to adopt a new development vision, evolving beyond a project-based research unit into an applied research center that mobilizes resources and transfers knowledge for regional development. He encouraged the Center to capitalize on TNU's strengths as a regional university by expanding collaboration with researchers, local governments, enterprises, and international partners while promoting interdisciplinary research that responds to practical needs and delivers measurable community impact.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening governance, developing a high-quality network of experts and collaborators, enhancing project development and management capacity, expanding training, consultancy, and technology transfer services to improve financial sustainability, and accelerating digital transformation to further establish the FEMMA brand through academic excellence and meaningful social contributions.

Caption: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Vice President of Thai Nguyen University, delivers the opening address.

The symposium provided an opportunity to reflect on FEMMA's five-year journey while serving as a forum for scholars, policymakers, and partners to exchange ideas and identify strategic directions for the Center's future development.

Strategic Directions for FEMMA in the 2026–2030 Period

In her keynote presentation, Dr. Nong Hong Hanh, Acting Deputy Director of FEMMA, introduced the Center's 2026–2030 Development Strategy, highlighting key achievements and outlining priorities for discussion regarding future missions and development objectives.

Caption: Dr. Nong Hong Hanh, Acting Deputy Director of FEMMA, presents the Center's development strategy.

During the symposium, participants delivered presentations on several key themes, including:

• Promoting gender equality and building safe, inclusive educational environments in the context of digital transformation;

• Preserving and promoting the cultural values of ethnic minority communities in conjunction with community development in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region;

• Advancing sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minority and mountainous women through research-based action.

As part of the programme, FEMMA and the Institute of Forestry and Sustainable Development, University of Agriculture and Forestry (Thai Nguyen University) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in research, resource mobilization, knowledge transfer, and the implementation of community development projects.

Caption: Representatives of FEMMA and the Institute of Forestry and Sustainable Development, University of Agriculture and Forestry (Thai Nguyen University), sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

In his closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Ha encouraged FEMMA to continue strengthening its role as an applied research center by expanding cooperation with domestic and international partners, mobilizing resources for research, knowledge transfer, and community engagement, and implementing a long-term development strategy aligned with Thai Nguyen University's strategic vision.

He also expressed his sincere appreciation to all partners, researchers, and organizations that have supported FEMMA over the past five years and affirmed his confidence that the Center will continue to strengthen its position as a bridge between academic research and practical development, making meaningful contributions to the sustainable development of Vietnam's Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.

Caption: Delegates pose for a commemorative photograph.