Students in ASEAN countries, China, Japan, and Korea yesterday began a four-day forum to discuss issues related to Việt Nam’s international integration.— Photo hochiminhcity.vn

HCM CITY – Students in ASEAN countries, China, Japan, and Korea yesterday began a four-day forum to discuss issues related to Việt Nam’s international integration.

More than 100 student delegates, including 1,000 students from universities and colleges in HCM City, are attending the International Student Science Forum 2016, organised for the first time.

Co-hosted by the Việt Nam National Union of Students in HCM City and the Việt Nam National University in HCM City, the forum aims at strengthening solidarity among students in ASEAN Community and neighbouring countries.

Together with international lecturers, the participants are taking part in panel discussions covering such topics as students’creativity and scientific research, volunteer activities, start-ups and employment, and climate change and environmental protection.

Associate Professor Dương Anh Đức, deputy director of Việt Nam National University HCM City, said the forum was a chance for students from ASEAN Plus Three nations to exchange knowledge, ideas and discuss important issues of the regions.

ASEAN is proving itself to be a dynamic economic zone, he added. However, aside from achievements in economy, science and technology, there are still challenges in human resources, environment and climate change.

Students and future generations, with keen guidance from former generations, have the responsibility of building an ASEAN area of amity, stability and sustainability, Đức said during the event’s opening ceremony.

As part of the agenda, the delegates will take part in exchange programs with students from a number of universities in HCM City. VNS