As part of its strategy to promote international cooperation in training and scientific research, from October 21 to 23, 2026, a delegation from Hanoi Law University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. To Van Hoa, Rector, paid an official working visit to three prestigious legal education institutions in the Republic of South Africa. The visit opened up promising prospects for deep and wide-ranging collaboration in education, research, and academic exchange, contributing significantly to the University's international integration process.

During the working sessions, the delegation focused on sharing information, discussing areas of strength and potential cooperation, and agreeing on several strategic collaboration directions with each specific partner:

1. Faculty of Law – University of Cape Town (UCT)

The Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town is the oldest law faculty in South Africa and the top-ranked law school in Africa, currently ranked 147th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Welcoming and working with the delegation were Professor Mohamed Paleker, Dean of the Faculty of Law at UCT, along with professors and officials in charge of various departments within the Faculty.

Overview of the working session at the Faculty of Law - University of Cape Town

Both sides held detailed discussions on potential cooperation regarding faculty exchange, short- and long-term student exchanges, conducting joint virtual classrooms via online platforms, and implementing a Joint PhD Supervision model to maximize the expertise of both universities. They also discussed close collaboration in scientific research areas where both sides possess strengths and priorities, such as comparative studies on Customary Law, contemporary topics like Legal Technology (LegalTech), Environmental Law, Health Law, and Public Law; sharing experiences in the application and governance of AI in education and research; as well as facilitating connections between students of both institutions to participate in international moot court competitions.

Representatives from the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, take a souvenir photo with the Hanoi Law University delegation

Both parties agreed to actively engage in further exchanges to expedite the signing of a cooperation agreement, exchange course catalogs, and detail plans to implement future faculty exchange, student exchange, and scientific and technological cooperation.

Rector To Van Hoa presents a souvenir to the representative of the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town

2. Faculty of Law – Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is one of South Africa's leading prestigious research universities. With a rich history of development, SU is currently a strongly research-oriented higher education institution featuring multidisciplinary education and research activities, a broad international partner network, and a strong emphasis on internationalization. Stellenbosch University comprises numerous specialized faculties and research units, among which the Faculty of Law is one of its long-standing traditional faculties. The Faculty of Law celebrated its centenary in 2021 and educates approximately 1,200 undergraduate students and around 220 postgraduate students and researchers.

Rector To Van Hoa presents a souvenir to Professor Juanita Pienaar - Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University

Welcoming and working with the delegation were Professor Juanita Pienaar, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Professor Theo Broodryk, Acting Vice Dean for Research and Internationalisation and Director of the Law Clinic.

During the session, both sides shared information on education, scientific research, and potential collaboration in comparative legal research, faculty and student exchanges, experiences in organizing practical legal education for students, as well as the application and regulation of artificial intelligence in education, research, and academic integrity.

The delegation takes a souvenir photo with leadership representatives and faculty members of the Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University

Both sides agreed on high potential for cooperation regarding short-term or semester-based student exchanges on a tuition-waiver basis, along with flexible short-term internship opportunities (1–4 weeks) at the University's Law Clinic, flexible two-way short-term courses, faculty exchange, collaborative scientific research, and study visits to the university's modern library system and facilities.

The delegation visits the lecture halls

In the coming period, both parties agreed to prioritize further discussion, specification, and completion of legal procedures to soon sign a Framework Cooperation Agreement. This will serve as a foundation for building annual action plans, connecting to share information on research collaboration, practical legal training, and the application of artificial intelligence in the legal field.

3. Faculty of Law – University of the Western Cape (UWC)

The University of the Western Cape is a public university founded in 1960 in Cape Town, South Africa, with a distinctive history tied to the struggle against Apartheid and the promotion of social justice. Throughout its development, the University has established itself as a prominent higher education institution in South Africa, particularly in research and training areas linked to social justice, human rights, community development, and social transformation.

Overview of the working session at the Faculty of Law - University of the Western Cape

Established as an independent faculty in 1979, the Faculty of Law has a proud history in the fight against Apartheid and has educated generations of alumni who hold key positions in academia, the judiciary, parliament, the executive branch, the legal profession, and the corporate sector. The university houses leading research centers, including prestigious specialized institutes such as the Dullah Omar Institute, the Centre for Environmental Law, Labour Law, and FinTech.

Rector To Van Hoa presents a souvenir to Professor Jacques de Ville - Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape

Welcoming and working with the delegation was Professor Jacques de Ville, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of the Western Cape. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions regarding strengths and potential cooperation in education, research, faculty and student exchanges, sharing experiences in practical legal training for students, AI applications in teaching and research, and touring the campus library system and modern facilities.

Both parties agreed to proceed with discussions toward signing a cooperation agreement and implementing specific collaborative initiatives leveraging each institution's strengths.

The delegation takes a souvenir photo with representatives from the Faculty of Law - University of the Western Cape

The working visit to South Africa not only strengthened Hanoi Law University's standing and reputation on the international stage but also promises to bring valuable opportunities for learning, research, exchange, and access to African legal education systems for the University's faculty members and students in the coming period.