From 19 to 21 October 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW) welcomed representatives from universities in France, Laos and Indonesia for a series of institutional meetings focused on educational cooperation, scientific research and academic exchange. Building upon its established strengths in legal education, the University also used these engagements to articulate its strategic vision for integrating legal knowledge with economics, management, languages and technology as it progressively broadens the scope of its academic programmes.
Partnership with the University of Lille (France): Advancing Legal Education in the Digital Age
On 19 October 2026, ULAW hosted a working session with representatives of the University of Lille, France, to explore opportunities for cooperation in postgraduate education, scientific research and the development of interdisciplinary academic programmes.
An overview of the working session between ULAW and the University of Lille (France)
The meeting brought together Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of ULAW; Mathieu Le Bescond de Coatpont, Senior Lecturer in Private Law, specialising in Economic Law and Director of the Master's Programme in Business Law; and Marcel Moritz, Senior Lecturer in Public Law and Vice Dean for International Office at the Faculty of Law, Political and Social Sciences, University of Lille, who is also involved in the administration of Digital Law programmes. Representatives of relevant academic and administrative units from both institutions also attended.
A central focus of the discussions was the prospect of jointly developing an English-taught master's programme integrating Business Law and Digital Law. Such an initiative was regarded as particularly relevant to the continuing expansion of the digital economy, where technology-driven commercial activities are generating increasingly complex professional demands for legal practitioners and specialists.
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại emphasised that future cooperation should capitalise on the distinctive academic strengths of each institution, prioritising programmes that are both practically feasible and responsive to evolving professional needs. He further underscored the importance of enabling students to engage with French legal thought and the intellectual traditions of European law, while ensuring that the proposed initiatives remain aligned with the demand for highly qualified human resources in Ho Chi Minh City.
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại, Vice Rector of ULAW, delivers remarks during the working session with the University of Lille (France)
Representatives of the University of Lille expressed a positive assessment of the prospects for interdisciplinary programme development and shared their experience in curriculum design and teaching across several emerging fields, including personal data protection, cybersecurity, blockchain technology and electronic contracts. Integrating these subjects with Business Law, Competition Law and International Trade was considered a promising approach to strengthening the practical relevance of academic programmes, equipping learners to apply legal knowledge within the interconnected contexts of economic activity and technological advancement.
Mr. Marcel Moritz, Senior Lecturer and Vice Dean for International Office at the University of Lille (France), who is also involved in the administration of Digital Law programmes, addresses the meeting
Beyond master's-level education, both institutions also expressed interest in exploring doctoral-level cooperation, particularly opportunities to support doctoral candidates in undertaking dissertation research in English at the University of Lille. Such arrangements could broaden opportunities for lecturers and early-career researchers to enhance their research capabilities and deepen their engagement with international academic communities. Proposals concerning the regular organisation of international conferences, the development of collaborative research agendas and student mobility through courses delivered in English and French were also brought forward for discussion.
Mr. Mathieu Le Bescond de Coatpont, Senior Lecturer specialising in Economic Law and Director of the Master's Programme in Business Law at the University of Lille (France), delivers remarks during the meeting
Notably, the University of Lille's delegation introduced a model of short-term professional education and continuing development built around specialised modules from its master's programmes. Under this approach, the two universities could consider jointly delivering courses on personal data protection, cybersecurity and legal issues arising in digital environments. Designed for lawyers, legal professionals and practising specialists, these programmes would respond to the growing demand for updated knowledge and advanced professional competencies in contemporary legal practice.
Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Đại and representatives of the University of Lille (France) pose for a commemorative photograph
The discussions with the University of Lille opened up promising avenues for developing specialised academic programmes in which law serves as the foundational discipline while being meaningfully integrated with business, economics and technology. This approach is particularly relevant to ULAW's efforts to expand its interdisciplinary teaching and research portfolio, drawing upon the University's established academic strengths and accumulated experience in international cooperation.
Engagement with Champasak University (Laos): Strengthening Academic Exchange and Expanding Educational Opportunities
On 20 October 2026, ULAW welcomed a delegation from the Faculty of Law and Administration, Champasak University, Lao People's Democratic Republic, for a study visit focusing on university library operations and discussions concerning future cooperation in education and scientific research.
An overview of the working session between representatives of the Faculty of Law, Champasak University, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, held in Meeting Room A.908
The visiting delegation was led by Ms. Phatsany Phouvanh, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, and included representatives of relevant academic and administrative units of Champasak University. Representing ULAW were Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng, Vice Rector of the University, and representatives of the University's relevant departments and units.
The delegation from the Faculty of Law, Champasak University (Lao People's Democratic Republic), visits the Library of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law
As part of the programme, the Lao delegation visited the ULAW Library to gain insights into its operational model, information resources, physical infrastructure and strategic development priorities. Ngô Kim Hoàng Nguyên, LL.M., Director of the ULAW Library, provided an overview of the Library's management practices, information resources, facilities and future development plans. The visit created opportunities for both institutions to exchange experience in library administration and the effective management and utilisation of academic resources in support of teaching and research.
The delegation from the Faculty of Law, Champasak University (Lao People's Democratic Republic), visits the Library of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law
During the academic discussions, Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng outlined ULAW's institutional scale and established strengths in legal education, while presenting the University's strategic direction towards interdisciplinary education in economics, management and languages. Anchored in its core expertise in law, this orientation reflects ULAW's commitment to broadening its academic scope and fostering stronger connections across disciplines and fields of knowledge in response to increasingly diverse societal needs.
Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, shares his perspectives during the working session
Regarding potential cooperation with Champasak University, the Vice Rector proposed exploring opportunities for collaboration at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, establishing faculty and student exchange programmes, and strengthening joint research initiatives. Particular attention was given to promoting the dissemination of research findings through international academic forums and peer-reviewed disciplinary journals. These proposals were considered in light of the respective strengths and developmental priorities of both institutions, with an emphasis on identifying feasible and mutually beneficial forms of cooperation.
Representatives of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law attend the working session
Representatives of Champasak University expressed particular interest in ULAW's approaches to curriculum organisation, programme duration, academic administration and student research activities. Drawing upon ULAW's experience in organising the VMoot competition and other practice-oriented academic initiatives, the two sides discussed opportunities to develop academic exchange programmes and share institutional experience, thereby strengthening students' research capabilities and professional competencies.
Representatives of Champasak University participate in discussions on prospective academic cooperation
Another significant area of discussion concerned the expansion of educational opportunities for Lao students. Proposals included examining the feasibility of admitting Lao students to ULAW's Quảng Trị Campus and developing appropriate scholarship schemes. Related matters, including academic credit recognition and transfer, access to international academic expertise and the expansion of career development opportunities, were also considered.
Ms. Phatsany Phouvanh, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration at Champasak University, shares her perspectives during the meeting
Ms. Soulikone Khamphounboupha, Deputy Head of the Administration Office at Champasak University expresses her appreciation for ULAW's academic programmes and strategic development orientation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both institutions agreed to maintain dialogue and further examine suitable areas of cooperation, with a view to establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future. These preliminary engagements are expected to provide a foundation for stronger educational and research partnerships, while contributing to the broader development of higher education cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Representatives of the Faculty of Law, Champasak University, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Law pose for a commemorative photograph following the working session
Formalising Cooperation with the University of Lampung (Indonesia): Translating Academic Commitments into Collaborative Action
On 21 October 2026, ULAW hosted a working session and a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with representatives of the Faculty of Law, University of Lampung, Indonesia, at its Nguyễn Tất Thành Campus. The event marked the establishment of a formal institutional framework intended to advance cooperation in teaching, research and academic exchange.
An overview of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and the University of Lampung (Indonesia)
Representing ULAW at the meeting and signing ceremony was Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng, Vice Rector of the University, accompanied by leaders of relevant academic and administrative units. The delegation from the University of Lampung was headed by Dr. Ahmad Irzal Fardiansyah, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and Cooperation of the Faculty of Law, and included faculty members, administrative personnel and students.
During the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng reaffirmed ULAW's strategic development orientation, which builds upon its established expertise in legal education while progressively extending into business, languages and the social sciences. He expressed the University's interest in strengthening cooperation with the University of Lampung, particularly in postgraduate education, institutional linkages among academic departments, collaboration between university libraries and scholarly journals, and joint legal research initiatives.
Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng, Vice Rector of ULAW, delivers remarks at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with the University of Lampung (Indonesia)
Representatives of the University of Lampung introduced the Faculty of Law's principal areas of academic specialisation, encompassing Criminal Law, Judicial Law, International Law, Commercial Law and Criminology. Dr. Ahmad Irzal Fardiansyah conveyed the University's aspiration to develop the partnership through concrete teaching, research and academic exchange activities capable of delivering substantive and mutually beneficial outcomes for both institutions.
Dr. Ahmad Irzal Fardiansyah, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and Cooperation at the Faculty of Law, University of Lampung (Indonesia), delivers remarks at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony
Building upon the priorities and opportunities identified during the discussions, Associate Professor Dr. Trần Việt Dũng and Dr. Ahmad Irzal Fardiansyah formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of their respective institutions. The agreement establishes a foundation for closer cooperation between ULAW and the University of Lampung in postgraduate education, academic staff networking, the sharing of scholarly resources and the advancement of legal research.
Representatives of ULAW and the University of Lampung (Indonesia) formally sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Representatives of ULAW and the University of Lampung (Indonesia) pose for a commemorative photograph following the signing ceremony
Taken together, the three institutional engagements illustrate complementary approaches within ULAW's broader strategy for international cooperation. While the partnership discussions with the University of Lille centred on the modernisation of legal education in response to digital transformation, the engagement with Champasak University sought to expand educational opportunities and strengthen academic exchange within the region. Meanwhile, the signing of the agreement with the University of Lampung established a formal framework for sustained cooperation in education and research.
From the initial exchange of academic perspectives to the formalisation of institutional commitments, this series of engagements reflects ULAW's strategic orientation towards deeper international connectivity, underpinned by academic excellence and practical implementation. It also provides a meaningful foundation for the University to further consolidate its educational strengths, expand its international partnership network, develop its academic community and progressively enhance its standing within the global higher education landscape.
Prepared by: Department of Communications and Enterprise Relation