VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi National University will be the first in Viet Nam to offer graduate degrees in sustainable science, a move that will bring more professionalism to research on sustainability policies.

Professor Vu Minh Giang, deputy president of the university, said that to date, there are only practical training courses provided for experts in the field, but no courses on policy research. By offering this degree, the university hopes to provide policy makers with deeper insights and opportunities to connect with global leaders in sustainability research, he said at the international conference on sustainability science in Asia yesterday, March 6.

The three-day conference that ended yesterday brought over a hundred academics, researchers and funding agencies to discuss sustainable development in Asia through proposed and potential collaborative projects. Akimasa Sumi, a University of Tokyo professor, said a concrete plan of action for economic development is necessary in a developing country. He also noted that many people believe plans for economic development should go hand-in-hand with plans to adapt to climate change.

"To create a plan as to how to adapt to climate change, we need to share an image of the future society in the global warming age. In other words, the image of a sustainable society. We have to propose a concrete action plan for this society, suitable to each region," he said.

President of Ha Noi National University Mai Trong Nhuan said his university would likely invite foreign experts in the field to serve on the faculty of this programme.

"We hope our programme will soon meet the world standard," he said.

* Medical uni to open in Central Highlands

A medical university will be opened in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai by the middle of this year to meet the growing demand for treatment in the region.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hospital Joint Stock Company signed a deal with HCM City Medicine and Pharmacy University on Saturday to provide professional training for medical students.

The VND250 billion (US$11.9 million) university will be equipped with 200 international standard patient beds after the first phase is completed, and a further 300 are planned for the future.

As part of the deal, Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC will put into operation a medical technology transfer centre to promote medical development in the Central Highlands region.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News