Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, President of the Asian Institute of Technology and Conference Chairman, emphasized the crucial role of regional scientific cooperation in providing sustainable solutions and supporting policymakers in addressing challenges faced by the Greater Mekong subregion. The region currently grapples with energy and sustainable development challenges, including water shortages due to climate change, impacting rice production and electricity generation. Additionally, differences in power transmission systems hinder cross-border electricity trade, limiting the expansion of clean energy exploitation.

Associate Professor Huynh Quyet Thang, President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, expressed the University's commitment to contributing to the region's sustainable development. As Vietnam's leading technical university, HUST plays a key role in advancing the country's green transformation agenda. Upgraded to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary research university in 2022, HUST has established research groups in various fields related to sustainable development, such as smart grids, renewable energy, waste treatment, and pollution reduction.

Prof. Thang emphasized: "The conference topics align with HUST's priority research areas, and the University aims to facilitate significant contributions to the network while promoting collaboration opportunities among scientists in both research and academic activities."

The Greater Mekong Subregion Academic and Research Network (GMSARN), established in 2007, serves as a trusted platform connecting universities across the GMS. Comprising 16 leading educational institutions from member countries, GMSARN plays a vital role in promoting socio-economic development in the region.

Following the conference, representatives of member universities convened at HUST for a board meeting to review the network's activities in 2023 and propose initiatives to strengthen cooperaion. Associate Professor Nguyen Phong Dien, Vice President of HUST, highlighted the potential for collaboration in research, student and staff exchange, academic development, and conference organization. He also recommended the network to strengthen coordination, increased communication, and enhanced budget mobilization for future activities, focusing on diverse and practical topics such as digital transformation, leadership, university-business linkages, student and staff exchange, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These initiatives are anticipated to foster greater cooperation, connection, and solidarity among member schools of the network.

Some pictures of the Conference and the Board meeting 2023: