To open the exchange program, a conference titled “Issues in Economic Development: Thinking of Vietnam” has attracted numerous students of the two universities. The UEB Rector Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Hong Son and Lecturer of Waseda University Prof. Tran Van Tho were present at the conference.

Participating the conference, the UEB students have presented two papers on “Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development: The Life Cycle Assessment of Vietnamese black tea production” and  “Assessment of factors leading to the risk of falling into middle income trap: Vietnam case study” which mentioned several issues relating to economic development in Vietnam such as average income trap, sustainable economic development and environmental protection, etc.

Through the presentation entitled “Official Development Assistance and Economic Growth”, the Japanese students talked about the ODA attraction and deployment in Thailand and Philippines thereby suggesting several inclusions and recommendations to Vietnam. In another paper on “The Strategy of Economic Growth with Less Income Inequality”, the students analyzed economic development in Japan with the low income inequality, the experience of Japan, Taiwan and implementations to Vietnam.

Through the academic exchange program, students of the two universities have discussed their points of views and new approaches to economic issues. The lecturers also suggested their comments to proposed further directions to study.
 

On the same day, the exchange activities continued with the interesting and colorful cultural exchange. Students of the UEB and Waseda University have introduced their country’s image through the clips about the history, people, and culture of Vietnam and Japan. The image of the last exchange program between two universities were also displayed, which brought the students back to the memorial moments. The melodious singing and lively dance were the exciting gifts that the UEB students gave to their friends from Waseda University. 

What impressed the students most were the images of Vietnamese and Japanese history and culture through the clips and games about “Historical Characters.” The students had the chance to understand about Hung Kings, Ngo Quyen, Quang Trung, Le Loi of Vietnam as well as Samurai, Meiji Emperor of Japan, who are the historical heroes of the two countries.
On 24th September 2014, Hanoi sightseeing tour will close the exchange program between the two universities. The annual activity between the UEB and Waseda University always leaves impressive feeling among the students. The happy smiles and friendly hugs will always be the beautiful images and the unforgettable memories of each students attending this program.