Vietnam hosts national gastroenterology conference and strengthens Japan academic ties

The 32nd National Gastroenterology Scientific Conference was held in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, on October 9-10. Attended by over 1,000 delegates, including scientists, doctors, and international experts from Japan, China, Singapore, and Thailand, the event focused on advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive, liver, biliary, and pancreatic diseases, as well as gastrointestinal cancer.

The conference featured 108 reports and 12 scientific sessions. International experts shared practical experiences and new trends applicable to Asian patient characteristics. This gathering also serves as a preparatory step for the Asia-Pacific Digestive Week (APDW 2028), which is scheduled to be hosted in Hanoi.

Separately, the 4th Vietnam-Japan University Presidents Conference took place at Osaka University in Japan on October 8-9. Led by Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Quan, the forum brought together leaders from 38 Vietnamese and 30 Japanese higher education institutions to strengthen ties in training, scientific research, and innovation.

With Vietnam and Japan having upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, academic cooperation has grown significantly. There are currently over 40,000 Vietnamese students studying in Japan, and cooperation agreements between universities in both nations have tripled over the last decade to approximately 1,800.