![[UEH 50 Global Partners] UEH Expands Strategic Cooperation with the University of Barcelona, Spain, in the Fields of Training, Research, and International Academic Network Development](/images/upload/img_background/ueh-background-639150433784396225.png)
[UEH 50 Global Partners] UEH Expands Strategic Cooperation with the University of Barcelona, Spain, in the Fields of Training, Research, and International Academic Network Development
21 May, 2026
On May 15, 2026, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) held a working and strategic exchange session with a high-level delegation from the University of Barcelona to promote cooperation opportunities in training, research, and international academic network development.
The University of Barcelona delegation included: Prof. Joan Guàrdia - Rector; Prof. Raúl Ramos - Vice-Rector for Internationalization Policy; Mr. Ander Errasti - Chief of Staff to the Rector; Ms. Lluna Baltasar - Director of Institutional Relations and Protocol; Prof. Sergi Martínez - Director of the International and Student Affairs Office. The meeting was also attended by Mr. José Sánchez-Barroso - member of the International Advisory Council of Fundación Metrópoli.
On UEH's side, the working session was attended by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung - UEH President; Dr. Tran Anh Hoa - Vice Rector of the UEH College of Business; Dr. Tran Thi Tuan Anh - Vice Rector of the UEH College of Economics, Law and Government; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Phuong Thao - Vice Rector of the UEH.ISB School of Talent; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Head of the Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao - Deputy Head of the Department of Research, Development and Global Engagement; Dr. Pham Thai Binh - Vice Director of the Sustainable Finance Institute.
Opening the program, the leadership representatives of the two universities delivered welcoming remarks and shared their strategic cooperation orientations. In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung emphasized UEH's comprehensive internationalization direction in the new phase, aiming to build a multidisciplinary, sustainable university with influence in the Asian region. On the part of the University of Barcelona, Professor Joan Guàrdia highly appreciated the cooperation potential between the two universities, particularly in the fields of interdisciplinary research and the development of innovative initiatives serving the community.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung shared during the working session
Prof. Joan Guàrdia shared the cooperation potential between the two universities
In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam shared the internationalization strategy with the orientation of building UEH into a multidisciplinary, innovative university with academic standing in the Asian region. Accordingly, UEH is strongly expanding its international partner network, promoting interdisciplinary research cooperation, developing international training programs, enhancing lecturer-student exchanges, and connecting with global enterprises. These are all areas with high similarity to the academic strengths and development orientations of the University of Barcelona, creating a favorable foundation for the two sides to promote substantive cooperation initiatives in the future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam presented on UEH's orientation
During the general discussion session, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on internationalization strategy, academic strengths, and areas with high cooperation potential. They focused on discussing academic and research fields with significant cooperation potential, suitable for the strategic development orientations of both UEH and the University of Barcelona.
Accordingly, the key discussion topics included Blue and Ocean Economy – a field playing an important role in the global sustainable development strategy; economics and applied economics to promote practical research and policy impact; along with business administration in the context of governance model innovation and international integration. The two sides also discussed the orientation of building an "International Hub for Industry and Company Connection" model – an international center connecting universities, businesses, and industrial partners. This is seen as an important platform to promote multi-dimensional cooperation between academia and practice, facilitating applied research activities, innovation, knowledge transfer, and high-quality human resource development. At the same time, this model also opens up opportunities to enhance connections between students and lecturers with international business networks, contributing to improving integration capacity and creating positive impacts for the innovation ecosystem and sustainable development. Topics on smart cities, urban innovation, and digital transformation were also of special interest, in the context where cities are facing demands for governance innovation, quality of life improvement, and technology application in socio-economic development.
View of the discussion session
Mr. José Sánchez-Barroso discussed cooperation strategy
In an open spirit and sharing a common development vision, the two sides also expressed consensus in continuing further exchanges to move towards specific cooperation programs in the coming time.
A special highlight of the program was the UEH Flag Journey ceremony, marking the development milestone and internationalization journey of UEH throughout half a century of formation and growth.
Representatives of the two units jointly performed the UEH Flag Journey ceremony
Other images from the program:
UEH’s Leading International Partner Connection Series UEH 50 Years: 50+ Global Partners
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News, images: Department of Communications and Partnerships, Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement
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