VUSTA Held Meeting with Delegation from the Beijing Association for Science and Technology
On August 7, at the headquarters of the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) met with a delegation from the Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST). The meeting was held as part of the 24th Mid-Term Meeting of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO), which was hosted by VUSTA.
In attendance on VUSTA’s side were Dr. Sc. Phan Xuan Dung, President of VUSTA; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President of VUSTA; Dr. Le Cong Luong, Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation; Dr. Vo Cong Tri, President of the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations; Dr. Dang Viet Dung, President of the Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Associations; along with leaders of specialized departments under VUSTA's Central Office.
On the BAST side, in attendance were Mr. Li Jintao, Secretary General; Ms. Qiao Linbi, Head of the Planning and Development Department; and Ms. Bin Zhihui, Vice President of the Haidian District Association for Science and Technology, Beijing.
During the session, VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung welcomed the BAST delegation to Vietnam and Da Nang as part of the 24th Mid-Term Meeting of AFEO, hosted by VUSTA. He highlighted that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2025) and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025). The AFEO Mid-Term Meeting was regarded as a significant occasion to commemorate these milestones.
VUSTA President Phan Xuan Dung spoke at the meeting
President Phan Xuan Dung provided an overview of VUSTA’s organizational structure and reaffirmed the VUSTA’s readiness to facilitate connections between BAST and the ASEAN community of engineers and technical experts under AFEO. He requested that BAST convey VUSTA’s gratitude to the leadership of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) for their close cooperation in recent years. He also proposed further strengthening collaboration between VUSTA and CAST, as well as CAST’s member organizations, through regular exchanges of leaders and experts, joint professional and academic activities, and co-organized public science outreach programs.
The BAST delegation also shared information about their organization during the meeting. Established in 1963, BAST serves as a platform connecting scientists, engineers, and technology experts in Beijing. Acting as a bridge between the government and the science and technology community, BAST promotes innovation, enhances public scientific literacy, and provides policy advice to the government. The association is committed to developing extensive communication channels and cooperative networks for the global science and technology community, advancing technological innovation for societal benefit, and striving for sustainable development.
Mr. Li Jintao, Secretary General of BAST, delivered a speech during the meeting
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh, VUSTA Vice President, shared updates on VUSTA’s cooperation with CAST under the initiative to establish the World Organization for Science Literacy (WOSL), for which VUSTA is part of the founding preparation group. He highlighted VUSTA’s appreciation for CAST’s annual Science Literacy Conference, held since 2018, which VUSTA has attended each year to exchange ideas and share information. In 2023, on the sidelines of the International Conference on Science Literacy, the VUSTA delegation held a bilateral meeting at CAST’s headquarters, where Vice President and Secretary General Meng Qinghai, on behalf of CAST leadership, hosted and chaired the session.
VUSTA Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh shared information on cooperation activities between VUSTA and CAST
In November 2024, VUSTA organized a Science Literacy Conference for its member organizations and welcomed a delegation from the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology. The conference also included an online presentation by Dr. Wang Ting, Director of the Institute of Science Literacy Research at CAST.
Notably, over the past two years, under the cooperation framework between AFEO and CAST, VUSTA sent young engineers to participate in the ASEAN-China Young Engineers Forum held in Kunming in 2024. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh, in 2025, VUSTA plans to send additional young engineers to four capacity-building training courses on power engineering, civil construction, artificial intelligence, and automation. These courses will be organized by the China Society for Electrical Engineering (CSE), a CAST member organization, and will take place in Guilin, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Beijing.
During the program, VUSTA and CAST signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a significant step forward in their ongoing cooperation.
The 24th AFEO Mid-Term Meeting, held from August 5 to 8, comprised a series of conferences and hands-on activities, providing a forum for scientists, engineers, and experts to exchange ideas and discuss solutions for shaping a sustainable future across the ASEAN region.
AFEO, founded in 1982 and recognized under the ASEAN Charter, unites the professional engineering bodies of all 10 ASEAN member states with the aim of establishing common standards for professional recognition. Over more than four decades, AFEO has grown into a strong bridge connecting engineers across the region and has played a significant role in fostering a cohesive and resilient ASEAN Community.
Since officially becoming a full member of AFEO in 1998, VUSTA has proactively initiated various programs to promote ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer registration, enhance technical cooperation, and develop networks of skilled engineers across diverse fields./.
PV
