On December 8, 2023, Foreign Trade University and the Japan Science Society (JSS) organized a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding on the donation of Japanese books to support training and research activities.

The event was attended by representatives from the Japan Science Society, including Mr. Takahashi Masayuki - President of the Association, Mr. Wazaki Haruka - Director of the Association, Ms. Sasaki Bunkun - Executive Director of the Association, Ms. Asakura Yoko - Association Manager, Ms. Miyauchi Takako - Senior Specialist, and Ms. Ara Minako, Ms. Shimogishi Mayuko - Specialists.

Representatives from Foreign Trade University included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Vice President of the University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien - Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute for Human Resources Development (VJCC), Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro - Chief Advisor of the VJCC Project, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hien - Head of the Undergraduate Study Department, MSc. Nguyen Huyen Minh - Head of the Communication and External Relations Department, MSc. Dang Quang Hiep - Deputy Director of the Library, and other university officials.

JSS is a non-profit organization established in 1924 with the goal of revitalizing Japanese science. Since 1999, JSS has been organizing book donation activities in Japanese with diverse fields, content, and genres for universities in the region to enhance cultural understanding between Japan and other countries. Starting in 2022, the book donation project has been renamed the "Book Envoy" project and expanded its goals to Asian countries. In 2023, Vietnam, India, and Thailand are prioritized candidates. In Vietnam, Foreign Trade University, Hanoi National University, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology are the three universities that JSS wants to implement the book donation program to, given their large libraries, especially those dedicated to Japanese books and documents.

During the ceremony, Mr. Takahashi Masayuki emphasized that Foreign Trade University is a prestigious university and one of the leading universities in Vietnam, where outstanding diplomats, politicians, and talented leaders in various fields have been trained. The VJCC Institute is a place that trains excellent entrepreneurs, individuals who are aware of and responsible for the importance of the relationship between Vietnam and Japan. With the mission of developing human resources leading the future, JSS believes that Foreign Trade University is the most suitable place to implement the "BOOK ENVOY" book donation project. In the 21st century, which is considered the Asian century, Asian countries will cooperate to support the preservation of peace and development in the world. Vietnam and Japan play a particularly important role in this mission. Through book contributions, JSS hopes to collaborate with Foreign Trade University to contribute to the development of human resources, those who will bear the future not only of Japan and Vietnam but also of Asia as a whole.

In her speech at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong welcomed and expressed gratitude to the delegation from the Japan Science Society. Foreign Trade University is honored to be one of the three universities to receive valuable books from the Association, committing to exploit and enhance access to these valuable books to improve the quality of Japanese language teaching and education at the university. The Vice President shared the university's commitment to emphasizing and promoting the development of reading culture to enhance the learners' abilities and equip them with knowledge, attitudes, and skills not only during their time at the university but also after graduation. She also emphasized that lifelong learning ability is the key to sustainable success for individuals and organizations.

Against the backdrop of commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, this significant event has marked an important milestone in establishing cooperative relations between the two sides. It opens up opportunities to access diverse and rich sources of books for the future Japanese language teaching and research activities of lecturers and students at Foreign Trade University, enhancing the quality of Japanese language education and related training activities in connection with Japan.