Ministry of Science
and Higher Education

Poland and Vietnam: cooperation on solid foundations

Cooperation between Poland and Vietnam in the field of science and technology has a long history, a highlight of which was the signing of a bilateral agreement in 1999. The two countries have already been pursuing joint projects, particularly in the areas of geology, geophysics and environmental research. During the meeting, Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki stressed that Poland is open to further research, including by increasing the mobility of scientists and promoting academic exchange programs.

In addition, the prospects for the development of the Polish-Vietnamese tropical scientific research station in Hanoi, which has already been playing an important role in marine biology and geology research, were discussed.  

Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation

One of the important topics of conversation was the proposal to organize a meeting of the Polish-Vietnamese Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The initiative would coordinate scientific and technological activities and identify priority directions for cooperation. As Deputy Minister Szeptycki stressed, Poland sees Vietnam as a partner with significant scientific and research potential, so we are keen to strengthen relations through dialogue and joint projects.

Academic exchange as a foundation for cooperation

During the talks, the importance of academic exchanges was pointed out, which contributed to the increased mobility of researchers and students. Deputy Minister Szeptycki stressed that Vietnamese citizens had been valued for their high academic competence and motivation for development.

Currently, there are more than 400 Vietnamese students studying in Poland, a number that could increase thanks to the academic exchange programs being developed.

Joint initiatives under NAWA and other programs

Within the framework of scientific cooperation, Poland is implementing numerous projects to support academic exchange and mobility of researchers. Programs such as PROM NAWA enable short-term research trips, contributing to international networking. In addition, thanks to Banach scholarships, outstanding Vietnamese students have the opportunity to study at Polish universities which promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience between the two countries.

Support from national research agencies

In an effort to strengthen cooperation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education encourages Vietnamese scientific institutions to engage in direct contacts with universities and other research institutions seeking support from agencies such as the National Research and Development Center and the National Science Center.

Programs implemented by NRDC, such as INNOGLOBO and PARTFINDER, enable the development of innovative R&D projects, supporting international cooperation. NSC, on the other hand, operating on a bottom-up basis, funds basic research, giving scientists the opportunity to carry out original projects in various scientific fields. Such initiatives open up new opportunities for joint Polish-Vietnamese research ventures.

New perspectives in the face of global challenges

The meeting ended with an expression of joint readiness to intensify cooperation. Poland, currently holding the EU Council presidency, intends to promote research cooperation with third countries, including Vietnam. Scientific cooperation is the key to solving global challenges and building a better future for both nations, Deputy Minister Szeptycki concluded.