VAWR and TU Dortmund University Elevate Strategic Partnership with Comprehensive Joint Action Plan Towards 2050

HANOI, September 22, 2026 – Amidst the beautiful autumn weather of Hanoi, the Viet Nam Academy for Water Resources (VAWR) profoundly welcomed and held a high-level working session with a distinguished delegation from the Technical University of Dortmund (TU Dortmund, Germany). The meeting aimed to review recent collaborative milestones and officially orient future activities, illuminating a future rich with collaborative opportunities between the two institutions.

The TU Dortmund University delegation was led by its President, Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer - who was honored as "Rector of the Year" for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025) by the German Association of University Professors - alongside Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thinh, Head of the Spatial Information Management and Modelling (RIM) Research Group at the Faculty of Spatial Planning and Chairman of the Viet–German Innovation Network (VGI).

Receiving the delegation on behalf of VAWR were Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Hoa, Director-General; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Bang, Deputy Director-General; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hoang Thanh, Deputy Director-General; along with representatives of functional departments and leading scientists from the Academy.

Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Hoa (second from the left), Director-General of the Viet Nam Academy for Water Resources (VAWR) delivers remarks at the working session

Delivering the welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Hoa expressed his great honor and delight in hosting the delegates from TU Dortmund University. He emphasized that, building upon the formalized Agreement of Cooperations signed in May 2025, the two sides have successfully implemented highly practical and effective activities in scientific research and education. These early initiatives have already contributed significantly to enhancing the research capacity and the quality of human resources at VAWR.

Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer (second from the left), President of the TU Dortmund University discuss on promoting and comprehensively expanding the strategic cooperative relationship between the two sides

Following the Director-General's remarks, Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer delivered an inspiring address to the conference. Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thinh presented a comprehensive report titled "Cooperation between VAWR and TU Dortmund University: Past Retrospective and Future Activities," which highlighted major achievements to date and proposed pioneering directions for upcoming endeavors.

The working session then transitioned into a dynamic and vibrant discussion among scientists from both sides, focusing on academic exchange, training, and research. A standout consensus from the session was the decision to proudly elevate and comprehensively expand this strategic, long-standing, mutually beneficial, reliable, committed, and highly effective cooperation through the development of a Joint Action Plan through 2030, with a visionary outlook toward 2050.

This elevated collaboration aligns perfectly with Vietnam's strategic technological development orientations. It focuses on integrating TU Dortmund’s exceptional academic strengths - including Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, and Data Science; Physics and Sensor Technology; Mechanical Engineering and Smart Water Technology; Chemistry, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering; as well as Urban and Regional Planning - into practical, high-impact applications within the water sector.

Driven by a robust global presence - hosting over 6,300 international students from 140 countries (accounting for nearly a quarter of its total student enrollment) - and an entrepreneurial ecosystem intimately connected to the largest technology park in Germany and the fifth largest in Europe, where the TU Dortmund University is also a shareholder, the University is steadfast in its commitment to accompanying VAWR. Together, the two institutions look forward to implementing transformative joint projects and missions designed to address critical global water challenges, while fostering knowledge transfer, advanced education, and the promotion of young researchers.

The meeting concluded in an open, amicable, and highly cooperative atmosphere, firmly reinforcing both institutions' commitment to their strategic ties. Pioneering Vietnam's water sector through premier research, technology, policy, and consulting in the nation's new era, VAWR continues to stand as a trusted, responsible global collaborator - championing win-win partnerships and serving as the most welcoming gateway for international partners to scale their operations and impact in Vietnam.