On the afternoon of September 14, 2026, Thuyloi University welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR (MOIC), led by Mr. Sanya Somvichith, Deputy Director General of the Department of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The delegation also included Dr. Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, President of the Lao National Large Dam Committee, along with representatives from various ministries, departments, institutes, and related agencies from Laos. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice Rector of Thuyloi University, chaired the meeting. Joining him were leaders of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, representatives from the Faculties of Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Electrical-Electronic Engineering, and relevant academic departments. Additionally, Lao international students and PhD candidates studying at Thuyloi University participated in the session.
With a warm atmosphere that reflects the strong brotherly relations between the two countries, both sides discussed cooperation goals and actionable efforts regarding human resource training, technology transfer, and international cooperation in water resources management in general, and dam safety management in particular.
Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai emphasized that Thuyloi University deeply appreciates the proactive goodwill for collaboration shown by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR, expressing the desire to expand cooperation across two main pillars: training and scientific research & development. Representatives from TLU’s departments also shared practical experiences in the inspection, management, and safe operations of dams, proposing that both sides should regularly organize scientific seminars and regional research collaborations to enhance academic and technical exchanges.
Photo: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai – Vice President of Thuyloi University, chaired the meeting
Mr. Sanya Somvichith, Deputy Director General of the Department of Energy (Lao MOIC), expressed a strong desire to bolster cooperation with specialized training and research institutions in Vietnam’s dam safety sector, including Thuyloi University, by implementing joint training programs, training high-quality human resources, sharing curricula, and transferring practical expertise in technical appraisal and technology application. He also proposed potential joint initiatives in scientific research, international cooperation, and engineering applications for projects in Laos.
Photo: Mr.Sanya Somvichith – Deputy Director General, Department of Energy, MOIC
During the discussion, Dr. Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of Laos (NUOL), shared insights into the development context of dam safety and water resource management in Laos. To meet ongoing development goals, Laos is executing numerous large-scale projects covering the design, construction, operation, and management of domestic dam systems.
“Building scientific capacity and training operational personnel is extremely critical. In the coming years, the orientation of the Lao PDR Government focuses on a self-reliant model where the National University of Laos will serve as the core hub for training and science & technology for the nationwide dam safety sector, reducing dependence on foreign experts,” shared Dr. Khampaseuth Thepvongsa.
Photo: Prof.Dr.Khampaseuth Thepvongsa – Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, NOUL
Dr. Bui Quang Cuong, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation at TLU, delivered a presentation highlighting TLU’s advances in science, technology, and engineering, as well as its practical local deployment experience regarding dam safety and water management. As a leading research center in Vietnam for dam safety and water resource management, Thuyloi University expressed its readiness to share engineering lessons and practical expertise with Laos, supporting its partner agencies in capacity building, operational readiness, and incident handling.
Photo: Dr. Bui Quang Cuong, Deputy Head of Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, Thuyloi University, presenting dam solutions utilizing local materials
Dr. Khampaseuth Thepvongsa expressed his hope that relevant agencies, together with the National University of Laos and Thuyloi University, will jointly design these programs to create a structured training and exchange roadmap to fulfill urgent sector demands in Laos.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue driving cooperation forward through experience exchanges, knowledge transfers, scientific seminars and workshops, and evaluating potential joint training ventures. Practical future cooperation plans, especially between Thuyloi University and the National University of Laos, will help promote technical exchange, expand partnerships, and strengthen ties between TLU and Lao ministries and departments.
