Four government agencies in Laos and Vietnam have agreed to share their work with the aim of bolstering social science research in their two countries.
The four agencies involved are the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Vietnam Academy of Social Science, Laos’ National Academy of Politics and Administration, and the Lao Academy of Social Science.
The four entities agreed to step up exchanges in the field at a ceremony attended by the Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung.
Also present on the occasion were President of the Lao National Council of Social Science, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, President of the Lao Academy of Social Science, Prof. Dr Soukkongseng Saingaleuth, and President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Science, Dr Nguyen Quang Thuan.
Director of the National Academy of Political and Administration of Laos, Associate Prof. Dr Thongsalit Mangnomek, spoke of the benefits of the partnership ahead of the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement in Vientiane on cooperation in social science.
The agreement aims to enhance the capacity of officials and lecturers, meet the requirements of domestic development and international integration, and promote the social science research achievements of both countries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Thongsalit said the proposed cooperation aims to strengthen the coordination and mutual support of the parties in implementing scientific projects and organising conferences, as well as providing scientific bases for the strengthening and development of the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
Under the agreement, the four agencies will share their experiences of theoretical and practical issues relating to the development and international integration of Vietnam and Laos, while assisting each other with personnel training and joint projects on their shared border.
They will also exchange documents and share in the translation and publication of scientific papers.
This cooperation would contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, states and peoples, Assoc. Prof. Dr Thongsalit added.
President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Science, Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan, said “We discussed the group’s activities in scientific research cooperation recently when Lao scientists responded to scientific information provide by Vietnam, aiming to further build friendship and solidarity between Laos and Vietnam.
He said both countries had carried out various duties and actively followed scientific research undertaken by Laos and Vietnam.
Vietnam will support Lao scientists’ requests for assistance with the development of their work and Vietnam confirmed that the two countries would continue to publish their research.
Source: Vientiane Times
