Successful Professional Visit to Vietnam: The University of Sopron Gains New Strategic Directions

The University of Sopron was represented by Prof. Dr. Attila Fábián, Rector; Prof. Dr. Tibor Alpár, Vice-Rector; Prof. Dr. Róbert Németh, Research Group Leader; and György Szili-Török, Director of Corporate Relations.

The delegation's first stop was the Vietnam National University of Forestry, where the leadership clearly indicated a desire to further deepen existing relationships, especially in educational mobility and joint training programs. While 200 state scholarships are available annually in Vietnam, very few are allocated to the forestry and timber industries, leading the VNUF leadership to see a need for targeted advocacy.

The University of Sopron offered opportunities for faculty and student mobility within the framework of the Pannonia Program, as well as the preparation of joint MSc and PhD programs, potentially including a double degree system. There was significant interest in expanding research exchanges, joint international projects, and corporate relations. The Sopron delegation offered one-year scholarships to two Vietnamese researchers and invited their partners to the 2026 Hardwood Conference.

At the WoodsLand company, which employs nearly 3,000 people, the focus was on timber production organization, global market challenges, and development opportunities. The company's revenue consistently falls between $100–105 million USD, with its main markets being the United States and the European Union, notably as a supplier for IKEA.

Experts from the University of Sopron outlined cooperation areas that could help the company tap into its growth potential, such as optimizing internal material handling processes, automation developments, and timber technology consulting. These areas can substantially contribute to increasing the company's efficiency.

Discussions with the Vinafor leadership clarified that both parties are open to expanding the current cooperation agreement. Strengthening international relations, especially in the European region, is a key strategic goal for the Vietnamese side.

In this context, the University of Sopron offered research partnerships, accredited testing, environmental validation, carbon footprint analysis, and ESG services. A proposal was also made to establish a coordination center in Sopron to manage Hungarian-Vietnamese relations. Vinafor expressed a need for further training for its staff and the exploration of support opportunities related to self-funded training programs.

"The visit to Vietnam confirmed that the University of Sopron has become a knowledge partner that leading higher education and industrial players in the region intend to build upon for the long term," emphasized Prof. Dr. Attila Fábián, Rector of the University of Sopron.

"It is particularly important for us that during the consultations with VNUF, it became clear that the development of educational and research mobility, as well as joint programs—potentially double degree—is a real need in Vietnam. Similarly, we see value in the new cooperation dimensions opening up with corporate partners, as these strengthen not only the region's economy but also our university's role in practice-oriented education and innovation. At every stage of the negotiations, it was evident that the University of Sopron's sustainability focus, research competencies, and international relations represent serious value for our Vietnamese partners. The joint work in the coming months will be crucial in turning these opportunities into tangible results."

The parties agreed to continue the preparation of their joint work through regular monthly or quarterly online consultations. The Sopron delegation committed to sending a detailed summary, an English-language training portfolio, and research proposals to its partners.

Overall, the visit to Vietnam proved successful, as not only were several promising professional projects initiated, but strategic directions were also outlined that can strengthen the long-term cooperation between the University of Sopron, the Vietnam National University of Forestry, and the timber companies.