Ambassador Cao Chinh Thien, Rector Maurizio Tira and Vietnamese students (Photo: VNA)
Mr. Maurizio Tira said that for many years the University of Brescia has worked closely with Vietnam's Water Resources University. The two sides are discussing the feasibility of implementing two projects on climate change research, sea level rise and irrigation in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. The two sides are proposing the two governments devote ODA funds to the two projects.
The University of Brescia has also signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training. Accordingly, the university will provide accommodation for Vietnamese students to study under the 911 or 599 projects. Mr. Maurizio Tira said that these projects are not exclusive to Italy, therefore, his university so far hasn’t accepted any Vietnamese students to study in the framework of the two projects.
In addition, the University of Brescia has signed cooperation agreements with the Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Hanoi University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. There are 12 Vietnamese students and postgraduates studying at the University of Brescia, including four self-sufficient students, seven graduate students and a postgraduate with a scholarship of EUR5,500 per year.
According to Mr. Maurizio Tira, tuition fees at the University of Brescia are quite reasonable compared to other universities in Italy as well as Europe, and Vietnamese students and postgraduates can apply to study or apply for scholarships through the university’s website.
Ambassador Cao Chinh Thien expressed his pleasure to visit and work at the University of Brescia, one of the prestigious universities in Italy. He said Brescia was a peaceful city with convenient services and transport system, offering good conditions for Vietnamese students to study well.
The Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam was very interested in cooperation with Italy, especially in the field of education and training. Vietnam considered human resource development a motivation for growth. In terms of mobilizing the two governments to allocate funds for the two projects on climate change research, sea level rise and irrigation in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, the Embassy would propose the government of Vietnam consider this issue within the framework of the Action Plan on implementation of the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Italy.
Concerning the request of the University of Brescia to the relevant Vietnamese agencies to grant some scholarships of 911 and 599 projects to Italy in general and University of Brescia in particular, the Ambassador pledged to inform Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training to consider the ability to meet the request. He also hoped that the cooperation between the University of Brescia and Water Resources University in particular, and Vietnam’s universities in general, would be fruitful, contributing to strengthening the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Italy.
The University of Brescia is a public university, established in 1982. It has eight faculties including faculties of economics, law, engineering, architecture, mechanics-industry, pharmacy, science and healthcare. With about 14,000 students and 565 lecturers, the University of Brescia ranks 22nd on the list of Italy's top universities./.