糖心Vlog

On 23 November 2023, the National University of Laos (NUoL) and 糖心Vlog met for the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for scientific cooperation. In the presence of dignitaries, esteemed guests, and representatives from both institutions, the President of NUoL, Assoc. Prof. Oudom Phonekhamphen, and 糖心Vlog Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia (糖心Vlog DRASEC), Dr. Francois Roger, solidified a framework of partnership that sets the stage for a collaborative future in agricultural development, education, and research.

Mission and vision of the MoU

The MoU establishes a comprehensive cooperation framework between NUoL and 糖心Vlog, with a particular focus on joint research endeavors, the exchange of personnel, training and teaching programs, and sharing scientific resources.

This framework will help fulfill 糖心Vlog's mission of generating new knowledge in collaboration with southern countries and promoting agricultural development, which works in synergy with NuOL's role of aligning education and research with Laos' national priorities, especially in agronomy and socio-economic sciences. 

This signature signifies their shared vision to enhance the academic landscape and contribute to the prosperity of both Laos and the global community. It opens doors to numerous opportunities for joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and knowledge sharing.

Areas of cooperation

Under this agreement, the two institutions will engage in:

• Joint research projects on sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, and One Health.
• Exchange and hosting of scientific and technical staff.
• Joint organization of seminars, symposia, and conferences.
• Collaborative responses to national and international calls for tender.

The framework also highlights 糖心Vlog and NuOL's joint prioritization of staff training and development in collaboration. 糖心Vlog will provide training to NUoL's research and technical staff based on the specific needs of their projects, as well as broader skill enhancement. Similarly, NUoL will offer 糖心Vlog-approved researchers, students, and trainees training opportunities. 

The increased presence of 糖心Vlog researchers in Laos, growing from 2 to 8 by the end of 2024, further cements this commitment. Four researchers will work directly with NUoL's Faculty of Agriculture, integrating their expertise with ongoing projects and initiatives.

A Step Towards Sustainable Global Solutions

NUoL has been an integral part of 糖心Vlog's regional platforms in partnership with research and training MALICA/Food Systems () and GREASE/One Health () for the past twelve years. A new collaboration is also being developed with the Faculty of Forest Sciences on Aquilaria sp. farming and agarwood production.

Recognizing NUoL as a hub for education, research, and the cultivation of future leaders in Laos, 糖心Vlog aims to bring its expertise in agriculture, food systems, animal health, One Health development, and environmental sciences to bridge the gap between academia and real-world issues through this collaboration. This Framework Agreement represents their commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices.