Ho Chi Minh City – Hungary/ May 2025 – On May 13 and 14, a delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW) visited and worked with the University of Pécs and the University of Debrecen, Hungary, to strengthen cooperation in the field of international legal education and research. The delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Viet Dung, Vice-Rector of ULAW, along with Dr. Phan Hoai Nam, Vice Dean of the International Law Faculty, and L.L.M. Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, lecturer of the International Law Faculty, who is currently a doctoral candidate at the Doctoral School of Law, University of Pécs.
EXPANDING ACADEMIC COOPERATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF PÉCS
During the meeting with the Faculty of Law at the University of Pécs (May 13), the delegation was welcomed by the university's leadership team, including Dr. Ágoston Mohay, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law, responsible for general and international affairs; Prof. Dr. Csongor Herke, Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Head of the Doctoral School of Law; Mr. Péter Áivai, Deputy Head of the International Student Recruitment Office (Nemzetközi Hallgatótoborzó Iroda); and Ms. Katalin Bodor, Specialist at the International Relations Office of the Faculty of Law, University of Pécs.
At the meeting, both sides discussed specific implementation of the cooperation agreement signed between the two universities in 2024 and agreed to promote strategic cooperation in education, research, and academic exchange.
Regarding postgraduate education cooperation, the University of Pécs committed to prioritizing consideration and acceptance of lecturers from ULAW as doctoral students and facilitating the reception of lecturers and doctoral students from ULAW for short-term research programs from 1 to 3 months. The University of Pécs will offer special policies on tuition fees and scholarships for the university's lecturers during their studies and research.
Both sides also agreed to explore the possibility of implementing dual master's degree programs, with degrees recognized and awarded by both ULAW and the University of Pécs. This agreement is an important step toward internationalizing the training program and creating opportunities for Vietnamese students to access European educational standards.
In terms of academic exchange cooperation activities, the two universities will promote the development of both short-term and long-term student exchange programs while building a mutual credit recognition mechanism to create maximum convenience for students during their studies. Both universities will research and develop an annual academic summer camp model organized alternately at each university to promote cultural exchange, enhance practical experience, and build an international academic environment for students from both sides.
The two universities will also coordinate to organize international scientific conferences and seminars in various flexible formats—in-person, online, or combined—depending on practical conditions. In 2025, Prof. Csongor Herke will personally visit Vietnam to attend an international conference on sustainable development in ASEAN countries organized by ULAW. The parties will concentrate on developing and implementing joint scientific research projects in fields of mutual interest. Both universities also commit to supporting each other in publishing articles in prestigious domestic and international scientific journals, contributing to improving research quality and academic reputation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Viet Dung taking a photo with lecturers from ULAW who are currently pursuing their PhD studies at the University of Pécs.
In addition to the official work program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Viet Dung also conducted a seminar for lecturers, doctoral students, and graduate students of the Faculty of Law at the University of Pécs on the topic, "Environmental Commitments in New Generation Free Trade Agreements and ESG Programs: Drivers Promoting Responsible Business Practices in Vietnam." The seminar was very well received and provided valuable knowledge about legal policies, responsible business practices, and the practical application of ESG in Vietnamese enterprises in the context of integration.
With the practical and strategic cooperation contents agreed upon, ULAW and the University of Pécs expect to build a sustainable cooperative relationship, contributing to the internationalization of legal education and enhancing the academic position of both universities in the region and worldwide.
SIGNING COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN
On May 14, the ULAW's delegation continued working with the University of Debrecen, one of the oldest and largest universities in Hungary. The meeting was attended by Mr. Pető Károly - Vice Rector of the University of Debrecen (Rektorhelyettes), Ms. Kiszil Okszána - Director of Coordination and Strategy at the University of Debrecen (Koordinációs és stratégiai igazgató), Ms. Szikora Veronika - Dean of the Faculty of Law (Dékán), Ms. Nádasné Rab Henriett - Vice Dean for Development (Fejlesztési dékánhelyettes), Mr. Hajnal Zsolt - Member of the Development Committee of the Faculty of Law (Kari fejlesztési bizottság tagja), Mr. Zaccaria Márton Leó - Secretary of the Marton Géza Doctoral School of State and Legal Sciences (Marton Géza Állam- és Jogtudományok Doktori Iskola titkára), Ms. Várbíró Petra - Head of the International Relations Office of the Faculty of Law (ÁJK Nemzetközi Kapcsolatok Iroda vezetője).
During the meeting, the delegation had an in-depth exchange session with representatives from the University of Debrecen. Both sides shared general information about training programs, facilities, international partner networks, as well as outstanding scientific research activities.
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of an official cooperation agreement between ULAW and the University of Debrecen, laying the foundation for long-term and sustainable cooperation programs between the two prestigious legal education institutions.
Through the exchange, both sides agreed to implement cooperation in four key areas: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral education cooperation; scientific research and publishing cooperation; exchange of students, lecturers, and researchers; and organization of joint scientific conferences between the two universities in the fields of law and business administration.
After the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Viet Dung, together with representatives from the Faculty of Law of the University of Debrecen, continued to discuss in detail the plan to implement the cooperation contents. Both sides agreed on the possibility of accepting doctoral students who are lecturers from ULAW and meet the admission requirements for the doctoral program at the University of Debrecen. Additionally, the University of Debrecen will provide comprehensive support for short-term research activities, visiting lectures, and academic exchanges, including workspace, accommodation, and library access.
The University of Debrecen will also prioritize accepting graduate students from ULAW, especially candidates who match international admission criteria. Both sides will study the implementation of part of the "European and International Business Law" master's program of the University of Debrecen at ULAW, as well as invite lecturers from ULAW to conduct research and give visiting lectures in some courses of the University of Debrecen's training program.
The two universities commit to cooperating in organizing student exchange programs in law and business administration fields, with mutual recognition of credits for some courses. Both sides will research and promote the academic summer camp model, creating a practical bridge between the two legal education systems of the EU and Vietnam.
The parties also affirmed that scientific research is a pillar in the cooperative relationship between the two universities. The parties will study how to coordinate international scientific conferences, collaborate on international publications, share resources including digital library databases and specialized learning materials, and facilitate academic activities. In particular, the parties will strive to develop scientific research projects jointly and seek funding from the EU and multinational corporations for international research and training cooperation projects.
At the end of the work program at the Kassai campus—where the Faculty of Law is located—the delegation from ULAW visited the main building of the University of Debrecen, one of the oldest and most prominent academic architectural works in Hungary, thereby gaining a better understanding of the tradition and development potential of the partner.
The working trip is part of ULAW's plan to promote international integration for the 2025-2030 period and vision toward 2045. Through connecting and signing cooperation agreements with leading universities in Europe, ULAW aims to train high-quality legal human resources who understand international law, meeting the requirements of globalization and digital transformation in the legal field. In the coming time, ULAW will coordinate closely with Hungarian partners to implement the agreed cooperation contents while promoting internal communication to encourage lecturers and students to participate in international academic programs.
Content: The Delegation
Images: University of Debrecen & The Delegation