Fang Youzhong, a professor at Beijing International Studies University (BISU), was invited to attend an international academic seminar and deliver a presentation on Sept 24. The seminar, themed "Research Governance and Organization in Asia", was held at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Vietnam.

The event, organized by the Francophone University Agency (AUF) and hosted by HUST, drew 63 representatives from over 50 universities — including the National University of Laos, Rangsit University and Hanoi University — across China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

The attendants pose for a group photo at the seminar.

During his presentation, Fang emphasized the importance of aligning university research with the needs of national and local governments. He advocated for a dual focus on fundamental and applied research within the framework of national strategic design, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and integration of the sciences and humanities.

He also highlighted the significance of systematic thinking and the necessity of "organized research", sharing insights into the evolution of research and discipline development in Chinese universities since the mid-1990s.

At the seminar, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on several critical topics, including "research and innovation development strategies in higher education", "research policies and successful practices", "research collaboration", "channels for disseminating research results in French language", "visibility of research outcomes", and "the role of AUF in implementing research development strategies at member universities", among others.

The AUF is one of the largest associations of higher education and research institutions in the world.