Introduction

The International Cooperation Office is a functional unit to support the university in solving issues related to international cooperation activities according to tasks assigned by the Rector Board, and cooperating with other Departments, Institutes and Centres in accordance with administrative and timely principles

Mission
The International Cooperation Office makes commitment to implement activities of administrative management with high quality, timely serving requirements of inside and outside Units of the University. 

Vision to 2020

The International Cooperation Office strives to become the leading Unit in the field of management; building staff with high qualification and professionalism as well as operating requirements of the University.

History and development

The forerunner of the International Cooperation Office is the Department of Scientific Research, which was founded in May 1959 in order to implement research projects in the fields of agronomy, veterinary and animal science, forestry and mechanics. The Department of Scientific Research has functions of advisory to the Rector Board in scientific research management of the University. In 1964, the University firstly received students from Laos to study in the field of agricultural engineering.

Since 1976, the Department of Scientific Research has been divided into different Units, including: Postgraduate Unit, Scientific research and International Relation Unit. Functions of the Department were advisory to the Rector Board and management of scientific research, international relation and postgraduate training.

In 1989, the Office of International Relation was established, which was based on the separation of Unit of International Relation from the Department of Scientific Research. Activities related to scientific research and international relationship were strengthened.

In 1992, the Department was divided into two separately functional offices, including: the Scientific research office and the International relation office. The International relation office had functions of advisory to the Rector Board, being in charge of organizing and managing activities of international cooperation.  Its structure included Unit of International relation and Unit of Lao’s student management. In 2001, the Department of Scientific Research and the Department of International Relation were merged into the office of Scientific Affairs and International Cooperation. Its functions were advisory to the Rector Board and in charge of organizing and managing activities of scientific research, technological transfer and international cooperation. During its development, the international cooperation activities were expanded in both fields of training and scientific research.  In 2007, the Department was renamed as the Office of Research Affairs and International Cooperation with the functions of advisory to the Rector Board, being in charge of organizing and managing activities of scientific research, technological transfer, international cooperation and the intellectual property activity of the University. Structure of the office included 3 Units: the Unit of Scientific Research, the Unit of Technological transfer and Intellectual property, and the Unit of International cooperation.

In the period of 2006 to 2011, international cooperation activities were expanded with many bilateral cooperation programs. During the past 5 years, the University has developed  and implemented 22 international programs/projects; received and worked with 316 international delegations; signed 50 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with international institutes; sent 1,475 staff to study and do research in abroad.

Now, activities related to receiving international students to study in Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) have put in place. Regulations on international students and dormitory management have been issued and implemented.  

In the academic year of 2011 – 2012, the International Cooperation Office (ICO) was established by splitting from Research Affairs and International Cooperation Office. At this time, the ICO had 7 officers and was divided into 2 Units, as following: International Cooperation Unit (including 4 officers) and International Student Management Unit (including 3 officers)

Leaders in timeline

 International Cooperation Office