Vietnam, Japan strengthen cooperation in disease surveillance, scientific research

Nguyen Vu Trung, director of the Pasteur Institute, said the MoU represents a new milestone in the institute’s long-standing collaboration with Japanese academic and public health institutions, particularly Nagasaki University, a key partner over the past two decades.

The partnership will focus on joint research, academic symposiums, information sharing, scholar exchange, capacity building for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and other cooperative activities aligned with both sides’ capabilities and strategic goals.

Ono Masuo, Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized the importance of advancing preventive medicine to curb the emergence and spread of infectious diseases and protect public health.

He expressed hope that the agreement would improve disease control in Vietnam and beyond.

Nguyen Ngo Quang, head of the Administration of Science Technology and Training at the Ministry of Health, praised the mutual commitment and professionalism in drafting a feasible and impactful partnership.

Quang urged the Pasteur Institute to develop six-month and one-year action plans focusing on early initiatives such as expert exchanges, bilateral workshops, and joint research projects.

He also recommended close coordination with Nagasaki University to propose potential studies, complete administrative procedures for personnel and document exchanges, and create memoranda of agreement for specific activities.

Additionally, he encouraged both sides to seek funding from international research programs and donors to ensure financial sustainability for the partnership.