On behalf of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), the participants included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hung Quang – Rector of TUAF; Dr. Phan Thi Hong Phuc – Vice Rector; Dr. Duong Van Thao – Director of the Department of Science, Technology and External Affairs; Dr. Nguyen Thi Giang – Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and External Affairs, along with faculty members and students of TUAF.
The event gathered representatives from 11 member universities across Asia and the Pacific, including Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand), Chiang Mai University, Kasetsart University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universitas Brawijaya (Indonesia), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST – Taiwan), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan), University of Guam, Thai Nguyen University, and Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF) – the host institution.
Morning Session: International Symposium
In the morning, an International Symposium titled “Green Transformation in Tropical Agricultural Universities” was held as part of the Assembly. The symposium featured four distinguished keynote speakers, who shared valuable insights and experiences on sustainability, innovation, and education in agriculture:
- Keynote Speech I: Green Transformation in Universities – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Ngoc Son, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (Vietnam).
- Keynote Speech II: Sustainable Veterinary in the Era of Green Transformation – Dr. Aksorn Saengtienchai, Kasetsart University (Thailand), Host University for UNTA 2026.
- Keynote Speech III: Green Technologies in Agriculture – Prof. Widodo, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. Med.Sc, Rector of Universitas Brawijaya (Indonesia).
- Keynote Speech IV: Sustainable Consumption and Green Supply Chains – Dr. Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost, University of Guam.
The symposium provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on the integration of green transformation into higher education, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development, as well as strengthening collaboration among tropical agricultural universities.
Afternoon Session: UNTA Annual Report, Presidents’ Roundtable, and MOU Signing Ceremony
In the afternoon, the Assembly continued with a series of important activities, including:
- The presentation of the UNTA Annual Report;
- The Presidents’ Roundtable under the theme “Future Collaboration”, where university leaders discussed future directions for cooperation;
- The Promotion of the 2026 UNTA Host University – Kasetsart University (Thailand);
- And the MOU Signing Ceremony between 11 member universities, reaffirming their commitment to academic exchange, joint research, staff and student mobility, and collaborative international education programs.
Significance of the Event
The 2025 UNTA Annual Assembly served as a vital international platform to strengthen academic connections, foster research cooperation, and promote green transformation in agricultural higher education among tropical countries.
Hosting the event reaffirmed TUAF’s active role and growing reputation in international cooperation, demonstrating its ongoing efforts to advance sustainability, innovation, and global integration in education and research.
Below are some highlights from the 2025 UNTA Annual Assembly:
