On June 24, 2025, in a solemn and emotional ceremony held at Foreign Trade University, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – JICA Vietnam Office – proudly organized an appreciation event to honor Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President of the University and Project Director of the Vietnam–Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC) for his persistent and profound contributions throughout the cooperation journey between JICA and Foreign Trade University (FTU).

The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from JICA Vietnam including Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke – Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office; Mr. Kubo Yoshitomo – Deputy Chief Representative; Mr. Hanazato Nobuhiko – Chief Advisor of the VJCC Project; and Mr. Nishikawa Naotaka – Senior Advisor involved in project formation.

From Foreign Trade University side, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President and Director of the VJCC Project; Assoc. Prof., Dr. Vu Thi Hien – Vice President., Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien – Director of VJCC Institute; along with many heads and deputies of departments, functional offices, and staff members of the university were present.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke emphasized: “The cooperative relationship between JICA and FTU is a vivid testament to the profound friendship between Vietnam and Japan. Along this journey, under the passionate leadership and guidance of President Bui Anh Tuan, FTU has made solid progress, laying the foundation for many important milestones in education and human resource development. He has ignited trust and contributed to deeply connecting strategic vision with practical values – truly reflecting the cooperative spirit that JICA and Foreign Trade University pursue.” He also specially appreciated the over 10-year journey during which Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan has accompanied JICA, guiding the development of the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC) with many remarkable milestones. Beginning in 2015 with the first Keieijuku program in Hai Phong, and in 2017, he pioneered the proposal and merger of two VJCC Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to establish the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC), officially becoming a specialized unit of FTU. Since then, the VJCC Institute has expanded its mission to formal training by launching two bachelor's degree programs: Bachelor of International Business according to the advanced Japanese model (JIB) and Bachelor of Digital Business (DB), marking a breakthrough transformation in human resource training under the Vietnam-Japan model.

Immediately following his speech, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, on behalf of JICA Vietnam Office, presented an Honorary Certificate along with a congratulatory bouquet to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan to acknowledge his profound contributions in promoting educational cooperation and human resource development between Vietnam and Japan. This recognition is not only from JICA but also a sincere thank you from countless generations of learners, staff, and all who have been and will continue to carry forward the mission of international cooperation.

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President of Foreign Trade University – sincerely shared about the journey alongside JICA and special milestones in forming and developing VJCC. In 2017, when deciding to merge the two VJCC Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to establish VJCC Institute – a challenging decision – time has proven it to be strategic and correct, enabling VJCC to develop strongly and become a pioneering and reputable training unit. Notably, developing the two bachelor programs JIB and DB was an important step forward. He shared that to realize these programs, the university community conducted surveys domestically and internationally, especially at Japanese universities such as Kanto Gakuin, Rikkyo, and Waseda. More importantly, what he values most is not just good teaching but creating sustainable value after training. In the Keieijuku program, the most important is not only the curriculum content but the connected community maintained afterward. The establishment and activities of the Keieijuku Club – where students can continue to share, support, and develop together – is a living proof of an educational approach aiming at long-term value. He also affirmed the irreplaceable role of JICA throughout the journey, not only as a professional or financial partner but as a strategic companion always sharing, discussing, and resolving every issue – from lecturers, training programs to infrastructure – every step saw mutual consensus, sharing, and trust between two sides. Closing his speech, he emotionally said: “Today’s honor is not mine alone, but the culmination of companionship and support from JICA, experts, the collective of teachers, staff, and colleagues of Foreign Trade University who wrote this journey together.”

Following the President ’s words, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien – Director of VJCC Institute – emotionally expressed her pride in representing a unit that has had the opportunity to directly receive and realize the beautiful values from the strong cooperation between Vietnam and Japan – concretized through the VJCC project, supported by JICA and FTU. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – who has accompanied the project throughout – has played not only a strategic leadership role but also a sustainable spiritual support enabling VJCC to successfully fulfill its mission. Evolving from a center with a basic training mission for small and medium enterprises, VJCC has become an influential and large-scale unit – not only in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but also extending to Hai Phong and many provinces nationwide. The training programs delivered by VJCC constantly improve in quality and are recognized by society – a result of collective solidarity, dedicated leadership from the President and sustained partnership from JICA. Especially, the Institute has successfully implemented two bachelor programs JIB and DB – regarded as a bridge connecting Vietnamese youth with Japan’s advanced education system. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien sent deep gratitude to President Bui Anh Tuan – who has continuously accompanied, led, and inspired the VJCC community. She expressed hope to continue receiving his guidance and companionship in the upcoming journey, believing that the cooperation relationship between Foreign Trade University and JICA will grow stronger and develop further for the future of young generations and long-term connection between Vietnam and Japan.

The ceremony ended warmly with commemorative photos – where smiles, eyes, and handshakes confirmed a strong bond. This moment marked the journey of jointly fostering a strategic cooperation story between the two nations – beginning from education, spreading through trust, and continuing with heart.