The ASEAN+3 network is a platform for cooperation between the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and universities in the three East Asian nations of China, Japan, and South Korea. Kyoto University concluded an academic cooperation agreement with the AUN in 2009. The 7th ASEAN+3 Rectors’ Conference was held at Can Tho University in Can Tho, Vietnam on November 19–20, 2025. Prof. Eiji Nawata, director of the Kyoto University ASEAN Center, attended the conference on behalf of Kyoto University.
The conference was attended by representatives from 29 universities and 5 institutions in 13 countries. The theme of the conference was “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Networks, Sharing Excellence and Advancing Sustainable ASEAN+3 Collaboration.” It opened with speeches and remarks from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, director general of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, executive director of the AUN, and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Can Tho University . A keynote speech was then delivered by Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Viet Nam Office, which was followed by panel discussions on several different topics.
On the second day of the conference, the participants were divided into three “clusters” to engage in group discussions on different themes. Prof. Nawata participated in the “Sustainable Agriculture, Aquaculture & Food Security” cluster. After the cluster discussions, the participants were provided with a tour of the Can Tho University campus. Through its engagement with the ASEAN+3 network Kyoto University seeks to further develop its collaboration with universities in the ASEAN region, China, and South Korea.
