Events
SSC to Hold First Alumni Meeting in Vietnam
On March 21, the first SSC Alumni Meeting in Vietnam was held at Lotte Hotel Hanoi with a turnout of 95 club members and 26 guests. After welcome speeches by the founder of Sakura Science Plan (SSP), Mr. Kazuki Okimura (JST Principal Fellow), and Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam H.E. Mr. Kunio Umeda, Mr. Pham Chi Cuong (Ministry of Education and Training: Deputy Director of International Relations Dept.) and Ms. Le Thi Viet Lam (MOST-Deputy Director of International Relations Dept.) had delivered congratulatory remarks on how Sakura Science is impacting lives of Vietnamese youths.
After 9 Vietnam Alumni Association coordinators were introduced, Dr. Nghiem Vu Khai (Member of National Assembly, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations) toasted to the success of Sakura Science. After a light meal, three speakers representing the Alumni in Vietnam had made their presentations on how SSP influenced their lives and research.
In the latter part of the gathering, professors from Osaka University, Nagasaki University, Ritsumeikan University and Yamaguchi University introduced highlights about their institutions. Ms. Yoshiko Okada, Chief Representative of JASSO Vietnam Office, supplemented basic facts about studying in Japan.
From our survey conducted right after the meeting, approximately 93% of respondents (teachers, undergraduate/graduate students, researchers and others) replied that they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the meeting because it fulfilled their wish “to meet other SSP participants” and “to learn more about studying in Japan.” Out of 72 respondents, 38 replied that they already had a specific Japanese university in mind. Individual members suggested “setting up a group through social networks so that members can exchange information,” “writing proposals together with young scientists to look for joint Japanese-Vietnam funding,” and “to conduct an offline meeting for SSC Vietnam as soon as possible to make annual plans.”
This meeting could not have materialized without tremendous support from all the team members, particularly the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam. Once again, the Secretariat would like to extend our deep thanks to all supporters and members of Sakura Science Club in Vietnam. We are One!
