On February 25, 2023, the 8th periodic meeting, together with, the closing ceremony of the JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net: Consortium of Master in Construction Management (MCM) was hosted by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) at the Palace hotel in Vung Tau Province, Vietnam.
It was the final meeting to wrap up the implementation and celebration the success of the deliverable outputs of the program. Participants from academia sectors and industrial partners in Vietnam physically and virtually attended the meeting. For 4-years of implementing the program, many challenges, such as the widespread global pandemic, have encountered the action plan. Nevertheless, with the leading role of HCMUT, the main coordinator, and the contribution from the consortium members, no obstacles could limit the intention of making the consortium successful.
The final periodic meeting was held on-site in Vietnam in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province.
The consortium has achieved the promised outputs and beyond. Key achievements that benefit the construction industry include producing Master students who excel at construction management, completing research projects, publishing papers, and organizing conferences and workshops. Linkages with industrial partners from Japan and Vietnam have brought many benefits to the students studying in this consortium, both in kind and in cash. For example, JFE Steel Cooperation steel provided a scholarship and gave lectures. On the other hand, partners in Vietnam, for example, Central construction joint stock company, Portcoast consultant corporation, and Newtecons investment construction joint stock company, etc. offered opportunities for students to enhance their practical knowledge and skills from experts such as internships, site visits, equipment for training, etc. The consortium’s activities enable the firm collaboration among CEP partners leading to the settlement of a step further for collaboration, such as the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Double Degree Program and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Under the CEP framework, the collaborations are strengthened between ASEAN and Japan, and also lead to the expansion of university partners in South Asia and Africa.
JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net would like to express our sincere appreciation to all MCM partners for making impressive achievements in implementing the program.