According to an official attestation recently signed in Paris by Professor Slim Khalbous, Rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW), has officially become a member of the AUF Scientific Council (CS) for the 2026–2030 term, serving as a representative of the AUF Asia-Pacific region. This significant appointment further underscores ULAW’s growing international academic standing while opening up substantial new opportunities for the University and its student community.
The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) is the world’s largest university network, bringing together 1,007 higher education and research institutions across 119 countries. In Vietnam alone, 41 higher education institutions are currently members of the AUF network.
Notably, the AUF Scientific Council has only 20 academic member positions representing universities worldwide, with its members selected on the basis of their distinguished scientific expertise, academic credentials, and experience in university or research governance.
For the 2026–2030 term, the entire AUF Asia-Pacific region is allocated only two seats, one of which is held by Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of ULAW, Vietnam, while the other representative is based in Wuhan, China. Under AUF regulations, Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s membership in the AUF Scientific Council also confers upon him ex officio membership in the Regional Commission of Economic and Scientific Experts for Asia-Pacific (CREES Asia-Pacific).
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW), has officially become a member of the AUF Scientific Council (CS) for the 2026–2030 term, representing the AUF Asia-Pacific region.
A Strong Affirmation of ULAW’s Academic Standing
As a longstanding institutional member of the AUF, ULAW’s representation on the organisation’s Scientific Council constitutes a significant milestone in the University’s international academic engagement.
The selection of a ULAW senior leader and scholar through the AUF’s highly competitive evaluation and selection process to become one of the Scientific Council’s 20 academic members provides compelling recognition of the steadily rising academic standing, scholarly reputation, and international profile of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law.
Beyond being a notable personal academic achievement, Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s membership also reflects the increasing recognition accorded to ULAW’s academic community within major international higher education and research networks.
Official Attestation issued by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), certifying Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s membership in the AUF Scientific Council for the 2026–2030 term as a representative of the AUF Asia-Pacific region
New Strategic Opportunities for ULAW and Its Student Community
The Scientific Council (CS) is a statutory advisory body serving the AUF Rectorate. It plays a central role in proposing orientations for the AUF’s scientific policy and in defining its policy for the evaluation of AUF programmes. Its work contributes to shaping the scientific direction and quality standards underpinning initiatives implemented across the AUF network.
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s membership in the AUF Scientific Council brings significant strategic value to both ULAW and its student community
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s participation in the AUF Scientific Council therefore carries considerable strategic significance for both ULAW and its students.
For the University: ULAW will be better positioned to remain closely abreast of the AUF’s latest development strategies, scientific-policy priorities, and emerging academic directions. Such institutional connectivity will provide further impetus for expanding international research collaboration, strengthening global academic partnerships, and advancing educational quality assurance and accreditation in line with international standards.
For students, particularly those enrolled in Francophone programmes: ULAW students stand to benefit directly from enhanced access to scholarship opportunities, scientific research projects, international student mobility and exchange programmes, as well as specialised academic conferences and scholarly initiatives supported by the AUF. Closer engagement with the AUF’s academic and institutional network will enable Francophone students at ULAW to broaden their international academic exposure, strengthen their global competitiveness, and expand their pathways for further study, research, professional development, and international careers.
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại’s appointment to the AUF Scientific Council thus represents more than an individual academic distinction. It marks another important step in ULAW’s continuing internationalisation, strengthening the University’s presence within the global Francophone academic community and creating new avenues through which its faculty members and students can engage more deeply in international education, research, and scholarly cooperation.