Date posted:
30/10/2026
7
| Read the article |From October 25 to 29, 2026, a delegation from Hanoi Law University (HLU), led by Associate Professor Dr. To Van Hoa, Rector of the University, paid a working visit to Athens, the capital of Greece. The visit aimed to further establish and expand international cooperation, diversify the University's partnership network, and promote academic exchange programmes with higher education institutions in Europe.
During their stay in Greece, the delegation held important working meetings with the Embassy of Vietnam in Greece. These meetings reaffirmed the close coordination between the Embassy and the University in promoting cooperation in legal education and research.
Overview of the working meeting
During the meetings, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong and Counsellor Pham Bich Thuy, together with the delegation, shared and exchanged important information on Vietnam–Greece relations, providing an overview of Greece's socio-economic landscape and its education and training system, particularly in legal education and public administration. As a major maritime power, Greece possesses extensive experience and considerable strengths in international maritime law and the protection of territorial sovereignty. The country also has well-established and progressive policies for overseas Greek communities. Research cooperation in these areas could provide substantial support for Vietnam's socio-economic development, its strategy for the sustainable development of the marine economy, and its policies concerning Vietnamese nationals living abroad. Such cooperation would also contribute to strengthening relations between Vietnam and Greece, as well as between Vietnam and the European Union more broadly.
Representatives of the Embassy of Vietnam in Greece pose for a commemorative photo with the Hanoi Law University delegation.
During the meeting, the Embassy expressed its high regard for the University's potential for research cooperation and academic exchange with Greece's public universities, as well as the opportunities offered by the internationalised learning environment at American-style institutions such as Deree. The Embassy also expressed its readiness to coordinate with and support the University in establishing and implementing academic cooperation activities with Greek partners in the coming period.
Rector To Van Hoa presents a commemorative gift to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong.
As part of the working visit, HLU proactively established and strengthened relations with educational institutions offering complementary strengths, ranging from an American-standard international college and a multidisciplinary public university to a research centre specialising in policy at the European level.
Deree is part of The American College of Greece (ACG), one of the oldest and largest American-style educational institutions in Europe and a leading non-profit educational organisation in Greece. ACG offers secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate and advanced education programmes, with a strong emphasis on international engagement, academic excellence and collaboration for the benefit of the community.
Deree is particularly distinguished by its highly internationalised learning environment, programmes taught entirely in English, and modern facilities, attracting students from around the world.
Hanoi Law University signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deree.
In the presence of Ms. Pham Thi Thu Huong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Greece, and representatives of the leadership of both institutions, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on educational cooperation, academic exchange and student exchange.
The two sides also discussed practical measures to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement, particularly in academic collaboration and student exchange.
Cooperation with Deree offers HLU students an excellent opportunity to participate in international credit mobility programmes in a flexible, modern educational environment without language barriers.
Representatives of both institutions complete the signing of the cooperation agreement.
Panteion University is one of Greece's most reputable and largest public universities, with approximately 14,000 students, including 12,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 postgraduate students. The University has particular strengths in political science, social sciences, public law, private law and international law. It also offers a wide range of English-taught courses for international students.
Hanoi Law University signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Panteion University.
The delegation met with Professor Maria Meng-Papantoni, Vice-Rector responsible for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation, together with professors and international cooperation officers from Panteion University.
The two institutions officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding on educational cooperation, scientific research and student exchange. They also discussed concrete programmes and plans for future collaboration, including academic networking and the early development of joint research proposals.
The proposed cooperation aims to secure international research funding and jointly implement projects incorporating comparative legal perspectives. Another key objective is to include Hanoi Law University on Panteion University's list of partner institutions for its application to the European Union's Erasmus+ programme in the upcoming February funding round.
The proposed project is expected to provide substantial benefits for Vietnamese students participating in exchange programmes. These may include a monthly living allowance of approximately EUR 820, three free meals per day, and discounted public transport cards for students undertaking academic exchanges.
The Hanoi Law University delegation poses for a commemorative photo with representatives of Panteion University.
In addition to signing and implementing formal cooperation agreements, the delegation held in-depth working sessions with two leading institutions in legal education and research to further expand HLU's cooperation network across Europe.
Founded in the early nineteenth century, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Greece and Southeastern Europe. Its Faculty of Law brings together leading scholars and experts who have a significant influence on the region's judicial systems and public policies.
Overview of the working meeting.
The delegation met with Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou, Dean of the Faculty of Law at NKUA, together with professors and international cooperation officers from the Faculty.
During the discussions, both sides agreed to maintain and strengthen communication channels to facilitate exchanges and explore potential areas of cooperation, particularly in comparative legal research and opportunities to access international research funding in the future.
Representatives of the Faculty of Law, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, pose for a commemorative photo with the Hanoi Law University delegation.
Rector To Van Hoa presents a commemorative gift to Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou, Dean of the Faculty of Law at NKUA.
The European Law and Governance University (ELGU) is a prestigious international higher education institution established and operated by the European Public Law Organization (EPLO).
With the ambition of becoming a centre of excellence in higher education, ELGU specialises in the in-depth study of law, governance, public administration and European common policies. Its core mission is to educate and develop a new generation of leaders and citizens equipped to address global challenges.
Through modern educational approaches that emphasise interdisciplinary thinking, combining law, management, economics, technology and public policy, ELGU provides a flexible learning environment with a strong focus on practical application.
Overview of the working meeting.
In an open and friendly atmosphere, the two institutions exchanged information and agreed to promote strategic cooperation in the coming period.
Specifically, both sides agreed to advance discussions towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement would provide an important foundation for cooperation in education and scientific research, while serving as a basis for developing detailed implementation plans.
The leadership of both institutions recognised significant potential for cooperation across several key areas, including:
Student Exchange and Internships
The two institutions will explore opportunities to organise credit-bearing summer courses, short-term courses and international internship programmes for their students.
Faculty Exchange and Scientific Research
Both sides will encourage faculty members to participate in teaching activities and joint research, with a particular focus on international law, international commercial law, commercial law and international criminal law.
In addition, the institutions will collaborate in organising academic workshops, both online and in person, to share expertise and explore opportunities for joint research funding.
Development of Specialised Training Programmes
The two institutions will actively discuss and collaborate on the design of EU integration training programmes for public officials, including management- and executive-level training. They will also promote exchange programmes at both undergraduate and master's levels.
Representatives of the European Law and Governance University pose for a commemorative photo with the Hanoi Law University delegation.
The working visit to Greece concluded successfully, resulting in the signing of two cooperation agreements and the identification of numerous additional opportunities for collaboration. These achievements open up promising prospects for substantive and far-reaching cooperation that will benefit the University's faculty members and students in the years ahead.
The outcomes not only strengthen Hanoi Law University's standing and reputation in international relations but also contribute positively to promoting bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Greece, while further advancing Vietnam's integration into the European Union's higher education landscape.
