A high-ranking delegation from Semmelweis University visited Hong Kong and Vietnam in May 2024 to hold discussions with renowned higher education partners and explore potential areas of cooperation.
Through a series of multi-station meetings and discussions, Semmelweis University initiated expanding and deepening its educational and research links with universities and governmental bodies in Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Discussions and cooperation agreements
Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, had meetings with the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Education and Deputy Minister of Health in Hanoi, met with the management of the Hanoi Medical School, and signed a cooperation agreement to further strengthen the Hungarian-Vietnamese relations with the oldest medical university in Vietnam. The Semmelweis delegation was welcomed by Rector Nguyen Huu Tu, who said that the agreement provides a very good framework for educational and scientific cooperation.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the rector of Semmelweis University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnam National University School of Medicine and had discussions with the university’s General Staff of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medical Sciences.
Meeting with Vietnamese alumni of Semmelweis University
A very touching encounter took place during which sixteen 1969 and 1985 graduates of Semmelweis University of Medicine and Pharmacy met with the Rector Prof. Béla Merkely. In his introductory speech, the Rector said that “anyone who graduates from Hungary and Semmelweis is Hungarian and has the heart of Semmelweis”. In 1969, when they started their studies, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of Semmelweis University, when our university was named after the great predecessor Ignác Semmelweis. “You made history then in 1969, just as we made history when we celebrated the 250th anniversary”. He then reflected briefly on the past, present and future of our University. He said that Semmelweis University has made great progress in recent years and it is among the top 1% of universities in the world. He thanked the Ambassador and his staff for organising the event and summarised the objectives of the visit.
Semmelweis University was represented by Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Dr. Marcel Pop, Director of International Relations, and the delegation was accompanied by Gábor Lehőcz, Consul General of Hungary in Ho Chi Minh City. During the visit, the delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the management of the local Hungarian representative offices of Richter Gedeon Pharmaceuticals, Egis Pharmaceuticals and CarePlus International Clinic.
Photo: Consulate General of Hungary in Ho Chi Minh City