During a September state visit to Ottawa by Vietnam President and General Secretary Tô Lâm, Canada and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The visit was the first to Canada by a Vietnamese general secretary since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, and Trent University contributed to this historic moment through high-level discussions and a new academic agreement. 

Trent representatives met with President Tô Lâm, members of his ministerial cabinet and senior representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. They discussed shared priorities in talent development, responsible critical-minerals research and climate resilience, which are reflected in a new memorandum of understanding between Trent University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE). 

New framework for research and graduate education
Building on Trent’s longstanding research and talent-development partnerships with Vietnamese universities, the agreement helps advance environmental research and train highly qualified talent in both countries. It also supports key priorities of the new Strategic Partnership, including education, sustainable growth, and people-to-people ties. 

“This agreement creates a framework for Trent and HCMUNRE to train the next generations of global leaders around priorities shared by both countries,” said Dr. Huy Dang, a professor at Trent School of the Environment and Chemistry Department, and co-director of the International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES). “It builds on years of productive collaboration between Trent and Vietnamese institutions and gives us a path to develop new work where knowledge and talent are needed.” 

Signed by Trent President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Cathy Bruce and HCMUNRE President Dr. Huynh Quyen, the five-year MOU outlines opportunities for collaboration on climate resilience and equity, strategic minerals, and sustainable public policy. Student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research and technology transfers are also identified as primary forms of engagement between the two institutions. 

“International agreements become meaningful when they create opportunities for people to learn and conduct research together,” said Dr. Tana Allen, vice-president of Research & Innovation at Trent. “This MOU facilitates practical opportunities for collaborators to work together and respond to priorities in both countries.” 

Trent contributes to state-level discussions
The MOU signing was one of several ways Trent University contributed to the state visit. 

At the Canada-Vietnam Policy Forum, President Bruce delivered the official response on behalf of Canadian academic institutions following President Tô Lâm’s policy address. She spoke about the role of universities in generating trusted knowledge and preparing people to advance shared national goals. 

“Universities and academic research have an essential role to play in advancing discovery and ensuring high-quality, productive partnerships,” President Bruce said. 

Watch President Bruce’s remarks at the Canada-Viet Nam Policy Forum. 

At the State Dinner at Rideau Hall, Prof. Dang also discussed the impact of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour. Their conversation also included the IIES-led One Global Plan of Action for One Health and One Climate initiative, which supports international research experiences and prepares students to work across cultures. 

The MOU and related discussions have opened new possibilities for Trent and its Vietnamese partners to strengthen academic connections under the Canada-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. Trent will continue working with institutions in both countries to explore how shared expertise and resources can support talent development and address challenges of mutual importance. 

Learn more about the Trent School of the Environment and the International Institute of Environmental Studies.