From July 18 to August 1, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology (HUFLIT) hosted Dr. Valeriia Vershinina – Deputy Director of the ASEAN Centre at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University, Russian Federation) – for an academic and research visit. The 14-day visit yielded fruitful academic results and further strengthened the research collaboration between HUFLIT and international partners.
Expanding In-Depth Research in International Relations
As a scholar specializing in Vietnam’s foreign policy, Russia – Vietnam relations, Russia – ASEAN dynamics, and regional integration trends, Dr. Valeriia Vershinina selected HUFLIT as her academic host to conduct fieldwork, literature collection, and in-depth interviews. Following the official welcome meeting and schedule alignment with university representatives on July 20, Dr. Vershinina embarked on field research across major libraries and bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City. Her key research focus covered Vietnam’s Foreign Policy, the Middle Power Concept, and International Relations Theory. Simultaneously, the MGIMO researcher conducted in-depth interviews with HUFLIT scholars, faculty members, journalists, and students to gather multifaceted insights for her international academic publications.
A Series of High-Quality Academic Forums and Special Lectures
A key highlight of Dr. Vershinina’s visit was a series of diverse academic events that attracted strong engagement from faculty members and students of the Faculty of International Relations and Communication (FIRC). On July 23, FIRC co-organized a special seminar titled “Vietnam – Russia Bilateral Relations,” honoring the presence of Attaché Skosyrev Vladimir from the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in HCMC, Dr. Thai Hoang Hanh Nguyen – Vice Dean of FIRC, faculty members, and numerous students. The academic series continued with a special lecture on July 24 titled “Russia – Vietnam Relations in a Transforming World Order,” offering valuable updates on contemporary geopolitical shifts.
Furthermore, on July 25 and 28, Dr. Vershinina conducted a two-part workshop series on “Academic Publishing”, where she shared practical experience and methodology on writing international-standard scientific papers, inspiring young lecturers and students to pursue scholarly research.
Strengthening Diplomatic Connections and Campus Engagement
On the afternoon of July 28, 2026, Dr. Valeriia Vershinina, alongside faculty members of HUFLIT’s Faculty of International Relations and Communication (led by Vice Dean Dr. Thai Hoang Hanh Nguyen), paid an official visit to the Department of External Relations of Ho Chi Minh City. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Director Nguyen Tran Bao Chau, during which representatives shared insights into Vietnam’s foreign policy framework and the identity of “Bamboo Diplomacy” rooted in Ho Chi Minh’s thought. Dr. Vershinina praised the practical value of these insights, noting they would significantly enrich her academic publications.
Beyond formal research, the visit featured warm networking opportunities, including a cordial Faculty Networking Session on July 29, a Roundtable Discussion on Vietnam’s Foreign Policy on July 30, and her presence at HUFLIT’s Graduation Ceremony to share in the milestone moment with the new graduates.
Opening New Horizons for Sustainable Partnership
The academic visit officially concluded on July 31, 2026, with a Closing Session. Both sides reviewed the achievements of the 2-week visit and discussed future opportunities for joint research, co-publishing, and academic exchanges.
HUFLIT extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Valeriia Vershinina for her valuable academic contributions and dedicated engagement. We wish her continued health and success in her research endeavors and look forward to welcoming her back for future international collaboration projects.
