April 23, 2019
School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University
Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Thai-Kobe Welding Co., Ltd.
Four organizations — the School of Mechanical Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology in Vietnam; the Joining and Welding Research Institute at Osaka University in Japan; Kobe Steel, Ltd.; and its welding subsidiary, Thai-Kobe Welding Co., Ltd. — have begun international industry-academia joint research collaboration from April this year to foster advanced technology for welding and joining in Vietnam and to contribute to the development of industry in the country. This is the first time that a Japanese welding material manufacturer has participated in joint research through industry-academia collaboration in Vietnam. The signing ceremony was held yesterday at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
With the rapid growth of its economy, Vietnam faces the huge issue of a shortage of welding engineer supervisors who support the industrial infrastructure. The Hanoi University of Science and Technology, which has Southeast Asia's only welding department, has been promoting research and exchange activities since May 2016 with Osaka University's Joining and Welding Research Institute, known for its world-class knowledge of welding technology. The Institute is placing its full efforts into turning Vietnam into a center for research and development in Southeast Asia.
In May 2018, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of Vietnam at that time, issued the Japan-Vietnam Joint Statement in which they decided to enhance Japan-Vietnam cooperation by fostering the development of science and technology human resources in Vietnam through international industry-academia collaboration. Based on the Joint Statement, the Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Osaka University's Joining and Welding Research Institute have been accelerating efforts to strengthen development capabilities for the welding and joining of materials and the training of engineering supervisors.
To further strengthen Vietnam's research activities, Kobe Steel, which possesses comprehensive development capabilities for welding procedures, welding materials and welding robot systems, and Thai-Kobe Welding, with its development and manufacturing base in Thailand and a representative office in Vietnam, have newly joined the two universities, resulting in international industry-academia joint research collaboration by four organizations.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Nobuhiro Asami, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, and Mr. Takehiro Tsuchiya, Counsellor, both from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam. In addition, Prof. Dinh Van Phong, Vice President of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Prof. Pham Van Hung, Director of the School of Mechanical Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Bui Van Hanh, head of the Department of Welding Engineering and Metals Technology; Dr. Manabu Tanaka, Director of the Joining and Welding Research Institute at Osaka University; Hiroyuki Shimizu, General Manager of the Technical Center in Kobe Steel's Welding Business; Yoshiyuki Hasegawa, President of Thai-Kobe Welding; and many others participated in the ceremony.
“Last year marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. This year is an important year as we take the first step for the next 45 years," said Mr. Asama, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, at the ceremony. “With the cooperation of those who have signed the agreement today, we look forward to contributing to improving Vietnam's productivity through international industry-academia joint research collaboration," he said.
Expectations are high from Japanese companies in Vietnam that the activities of the four organizations will not only enhance technology and quality in Vietnam, but also contribute to foster advanced welding and joining technologies and industrial development in Vietnam. The four organizations will collaborate with related agencies and focus on developing the next generation of welding engineers. They will also contribute to improving welding technology in Vietnam and, furthermore, Southeast Asia in the future.
Back row, third from left: Mr. Nobuhiro Asama, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam. Next to him is Prof. Dinh Van Phong, Vice President, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Front row from left: Yoshiyuki Hasegawa, President, Thai-Kobe Welding; Hiroyuki Shimizu, General Manager, Technical Center, Kobe Steel; Prof. Pham Van Hung, Director, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Dr. Manabu Tanaka, Director, Joining and Welding Research Institute at Osaka University.
Prof. Dinh Van Phong, Vice President, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, gave the opening remarks at the signing ceremony.
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