HUGETECH paid courtesy visits to Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister of Education and Sports, and Minister of Technology and Communications!

The Faculty of Engineering (FEN) at the National University of Laos, supported by the Project for Strengthening Human Resource Development of Engineering and Technology for Industry Development in Lao P.D.R. (HUGETECH), is working to develop highly skilled engineers and researchers who contribute to the country's socio-economic development by promoting research activities by teams in which students participate. This is inspired by Japan’s Laboratory-Based Education (LBE). As part of these efforts, FEN recently formulated the "Strategy Plan for Research Work and Industrial Cooperation (2025-2030)." This plan outlines FEN’s mission to advance engineering knowledge and practice through research and education that address the socio-economic challenges of Laos, foster sustainable development, and promote global competitiveness. To achieve this, FEN seeks to strengthen its collaboration with relevant government agencies and industries.

To further support the implementation of this plan, courtesy visits were made to ministries in Laos on 16th and 17th September 2024. Professors from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech, Institute of Science Tokyo since 1st October 2024) involved in HUGETECH, along with representatives from the JICA Laos Office, participated in these visits. Discussions with high level officials from various ministries focused on enhancing support for FEN, the future of engineering education, and solutions to social issues.

Prof. ABE Naoya at Tokyo Tech, together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khampaseuth THEPVONGSA, FEN's Vice Dean and others, paid courtesy visits to Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister of Education and Sports, and Minister of Technology and Communications. During the visit on 16th September, Dr. Chansaveng BOUNGNONG, Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, highlighted the high demand for skilled personnel in the mining sector and expressed expectations for collaboration between FEN and the Research Institute of Energy and Mines (RIEM). Potential areas of cooperation, including biomass, solar power, and hydrogen utilization, were discussed.

Dr. Phout SIMMALAVONG, the Minister of Education and Sports, who holds a Masters degree from Touhoku University is well-versed in Japanese higher education, and expressed gratitude for HUGETECH’s support in introducing LBE and promoting research activities at the undergraduate level. He praised the increase in FEN applicants despite the national decline in student numbers and voiced expectations for greater participation by female students. The Minister also emphasized the importance of industry involvement in curriculum development.

Prof. TAKADA Junichi from Tokyo Tech, an expert in electronics, information and communication engineering, joined the courtesy visit to Dr. Boviengkham VONGDARA, Minister of Technology and Communications. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between Tokyo Tech and FEN and voiced hopes that such collaboration, supported by JICA and based on Japan’s experience, would further contribute to the nation's digital transformation (DX) initiatives. Director of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT), who attended the meeting, emphasized the importance of human resource development in DX and highlighted the necessity of strengthening international collaboration to achieve this goal. Prof. ABE expressed his optimism about the potential for future cooperation between FEN, IICT, and Tokyo Tech.

HUGETECH will continue its efforts to improve the quality of engineering education at FEN and will continue to work closely with ministries and industry partners.