13th Conference of Rectors of Member Universities of the Francophone University Organization AUF

The opening session of the Conference took place on the morning of May 7, 2019.

The conference is one of the largest regional forums on higher education and research. Attending the event were Prof. Jean-Paul de Gaudemar, General Director of AUF; Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc; Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Thanh Dat - Director of VNU-HCM; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Dien - President of CONFRASIE, Vice Rector of the University of Economics and Law, and many leaders in charge of higher education from various countries.

This session has the theme "University-Business Dialogue: Challenges and social responsibilities of higher education" with 4 thematic discussion sessions on the following contents:

• Training programs and socio-economic needs.
• Research and transfer in the Francophone university community.
• Develop entrepreneurial culture and practices.
• University governance and the challenge of social responsibility.

The message of the President of CONFRASIE on the theme of this year's Conference stated: The contemporary world opens up opportunities, but also poses many challenges for universities. Nowadays, universities are under increasingly fierce competitive pressure, as learners have more favorable conditions than before to choose where to study, especially thanks to the use of means that are the result of applying scientific and technological achievements. To relieve competitive pressure, universities must carry out a series of measures, most notably improving the quality of training and improving the quality of research.

Such improvement can only be effectively achieved when the university itself improves itself through innovation with an internal quality assurance system. The CONFRASIE organization assumes the role of organizing, operating, coordinating interactive activities and coordinating actions between its members, as well as other members and institutions and organizations to achieve those goals.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Dien - Chairman of CONFRASIE, Vice Principal of University of Economics and Law

The conference also included the signing ceremony of a cooperation framework agreement between CONFRASIE and the Conference of French University Rectors (CPU) in the presence of ministers, vice ministers and officials of participating member countries.

The Conference of Rectors of the Member Universities of the Francophone University Organization (AUF) in Asia-Pacific (CONFRASIE) was officially established in 1999, with a plenary session held every two years. This is a forum that brings together a large number of leaders of higher education and research institutions from dozens of Asia-Pacific countries to exchange and discuss common issues of higher education in the region. The CONFRASIE Conference of Rectors of the Francophone University contributes to identifying and promoting the potential of the expert network of member universities and building strategic orientations for higher education and research. From the initial 50 members, the scale of CONFRASIE has grown significantly to 88 members, which are higher education and research institutions in 11 countries.

Some other pictures at the Conference

Professor, Principal Pham Quang Minh at the exhibition booth introducing member schools participating in the Conference

Professor and Principal Pham Quang Minh spoke at the session "University governance and challenges for social responsibility"