Promoting the study and using science to benefit human life

The visit was part of an accompanying program for a high-ranking delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam headed by Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue to the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP5) in Austria.

Prof. Hubert Hasenauer, Rector of the institution, met and spoke with Minister Le Minh Hoan about the university's educational and research missions.

BOKU is Europe's finest university for sustainability and life sciences, concentrating on the application of scientific knowledge. BOKU fosters interaction between scientists and students on a variety of issues of sustainable development, while also encouraging innovation and green growth. The university's research and education activities are centered on the creation of living spaces, environmental and resource management, nutritional security, and health.

BOKU educates 12,000 bachelor, master, and doctorate students and conducts over 1,000 research projects. The institution has worldwide partnerships and about 20% of its students are foreign. According to Prof. Hubert Hasenauer, BOKU places great value on the application of knowledge in actual life. Along with education, BOKU is a world-class research institution in the biological sciences, enabling the commercialization of scientific discoveries and fostering creative start-ups for its students.

Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized the importance of many areas of life sciences and their application to BOKU's research and teaching programs.

The Minister said that Vietnam's agriculture urgently requires a massive change from mono-sector to value-added, from single-valued to integrated multi-valued agriculture, as well as the creation of living space and ecosystem development in agricultural and rural regions. BOKU's educational, training, and research philosophies are highly compatible with the agricultural sector's current development approach, which is focused on green and inclusive growth, ensuring the rights and health of producers and consumers, and sustainably maintaining and developing ecosystems and biodiversity.

Minister Le Minh Hoan suggested various exchange, teaching assistance, study, and research initiatives between BOKU and MARD's training institutions.

Prof. Hubert Hasenauer expressed his delight at the prospect of collaborating with Vietnam's agriculture sector on natural resource management and life sciences teaching and research. He welcomed the Vietnamese minister to join in events commemorating BOKU University's 150th anniversary worldwide, including those organized by BOKU's partners in Vietnam. Additionally, the two sides agreed to expand their collaboration in the future in areas such as research, training, and innovation assistance for Vietnam's agriculture sector.

Apart from the visit and working session at BOKU University, Minister Le Minh Hoan visited an ecotourism farm model. Visitors, particularly children and parents, get the chance to learn about and experience the ambiance, rural village life, farming, and agricultural techniques at these locations.