Directors from 42 major universities in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on August 27 to promote cooperation in tertiary education and scientific research.

They agreed to establish a network of universities in the three countries and devise a mechanism of cooperation for the network.

Representatives from 11 universities have signed memorandums of understanding on exchanges of students, lecturers, information and scientific research.

Chairman of the Social and Cultural Committee of the Lao National Assembly, Douangdy Outhachak, said that the network will help Laos develop its economy, trade and services.

He expressed his hope that Vietnamese universities will admit many Lao students and help Lao universities implement human resources training programmes.

The director of Ho Chi Minh City National University, Associate Professor Phan Thanh Binh said the network will lay the groundwork for cooperation among all of the region’s universities.