22 APR, 2022

On April 22, 2022, at Phenikaa University, a signing ceremony took place for two significant cooperation documents. These included the Trilateral Research Cooperation Agreement between Phenikaa University, the 108th Army Central Hospital, and Aalborg University Hospital (Denmark), and the Memorandum of Understanding between Phenikaa University and the Global Organization of Vietnamese Science and Experts (AVSE).

During the meeting, signing the cooperation agreement on behalf of the 108th Army Central Hospital were Dr. Ngo Tat Trung, Director of The Center for Genetic Counseling and Early Screening of Cancer, and TS. Nghiêm Xuan Hoan, Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology – Testing Center. Representing the Vietnam Global Organization for Science and Experts (AVSE Global) were Prof. Nguyen Duc Khuong, Director of Research at IPAG Business School, France, and President of AVSE Global; TS. Nguyen Thu Hien, Senior Specialist in Biomedical Medicine at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, and Director of Health Network at AVSE Global; TS. Dinh Thanh Huong, Director of Liquidity Report at IRB, Bnpparibas, Paris, France, AVSE Global Project and Knowledge Executive Director, along with other AVSE experts. From Phenikaa University, attendees included PGS. TS. Nguyen Phu Khanh, Deputy General Director and Vice Principal; GS. TS. Liu Ngoc Hoạt, Vice Principal; TS. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, Head of the research group of Environmental Chemistry and Ecological Toxicology, and lecturers and researchers of the University.

Vietnam has the highest rate of hepatocellular carcinoma, with over 25,000 deaths annually (accounting for 20.6% of all cancers). Stemming from this fact, three research groups from the 108th Army Central Hospital (project leader: Dr. Dr. Nghiêm Xuan Hoan), Aalborg University Hospital (Denmark) – co-chair of the project: Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien, and Phenikaa University (Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, head of the Environmental Chemistry and Ecological Toxicology research group) collaborated on the development and successful proposal of the project: “The study explores new biomarkers that help support the monitoring of the progression of chronic liver pathology and early diagnosis of primary liver cancer in patients infected with hepatitis B virus.” The project received funding from the VINIF Foundation. The overall goal is to establish a tool to support early diagnosis of liver cancer through the analysis of changes in metabolic markers and the level of expression of miRNAs in the liquid biopsy samples of patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer infected with hepatitis B virus – who are at a very high risk of cancer progression.

Building on the research potential and cooperation connections from the above project, the 108th Army Central Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital (Denmark), and Phenikaa University conducted the signing ceremony of a tripartite research cooperation. At the ceremony, PGS. Dr. Nguyen Phu Khanh, representing Phenikaa University, Dr. Ngo Tat Trung, representing the 108th Army Central Hospital, and Prof. Henrik Bygum Krarup, representing Aalborg University Hospital, signed a trilateral cooperation agreement to facilitate the project’s implementation.

On the morning of March 9, 2022, Phenikaa University also welcomed senior representatives of the Vietnam Global Organization for Science and Experts (AVSE Global). GS. Nguyen Duc Khuong, Director of Research at IPAG Business School, France, and President of AVSE Global, provided a brief introduction to AVSE Global’s activities and the perspectives of Vietnamese experts worldwide on contributing to the development of the economy and social sciences in Vietnam.

Additionally, TS. Nguyen Thu Hien, Senior Specialist in Biomedical Medicine at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, and Director of The Health Network at AVSE Global, introduced the activities of AVSE Global’s health network, highlighting interdisciplinary research related to health issues in Vietnam, especially studies during the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 treatment periods.

With the desire to establish a partnership between Phenikaa University and AVSE Global to create opportunities for extensive cooperation activities, the two sides exchanged and agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation. Accordingly, the two sides will jointly organize training courses on topics of mutual interest, cooperate in the implementation of research activities, organize in-depth workshops, and coordinate the analysis of research data and international publications. The two sides will share information and data sources to the extent permitted to serve specific programs and projects.

Addressing the ceremony, PGS. Dr. Nguyen Phu Khanh emphasized Phenikaa University’s rapid development toward innovation, with modern facilities and an excellent teaching staff. He expressed hope for the cooperation with AVSE Global, Military Tw Hospital 108, and Aalborg University Hospital to develop more extensively and mutually beneficially, providing support for the education sector and the national medicine sector. Dr. Khanh affirmed that the research results between the three sides would be a testament to long-term cooperation.

Representing the project team, “Research exploring new biomarkers that help support the monitoring of the progression of chronic liver pathology and early diagnosis of primary liver cancer in patients infected with hepatitis B virus,” Dr. Dr. Nghiêm Xuan Hoan and Dr. TS. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong thanked the leaders of the units for supporting and accompanying the project team in carrying out meaningful research. They emphasized that the success of the project team goes beyond solving community problems and fostering cooperation; it also recognizes the contributions of Vietnamese scientists at home and abroad. The hope is for more projects connecting such scientists in the future.

Furthermore, TS. Ngo Tat Trung expressed his wish for closer cooperation among the scientists of Military Tw Hospital 108, Phenikaa University, and Aalborg University Hospital to jointly research and create high-quality scientific products with high applicability in healthcare.

During the cooperation exchange, Prof. Nguyen Duc Khuong was impressed and appreciated the research results and scientific products applying 4.0 technology that Phenikaa University scientists have developed. He introduced AVSE Global, highlighting the common goal of AVSE Global and Phenikaa University to create a future for the young generation of Vietnam to contribute to the country’s development and global reach.

Concurring with the perspectives of cooperation in the application of technology 4.0, GS. TS. Liu Ngoc Hoạt, Vice Rector and Director of The Medical Program of Phenikaa University, shared the idea of the “Wallless Hospital” coordinated between Phenikaa Mass and applications in the field of health to improve the process of medical examination and treatment, optimize resources in the health sector. This initiative will be implemented at Phenikaa University itself.

The ceremony concluded at 10:30 a.m. on the same day, with both sides expressing confidence in the development of good cooperative relationships in the future.