An eight-member delegation from the Saigon International University (SIU) of Vietnam, which arrived here on July 31 on a 4-day tour of the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA), concluded its visit on Saturday.

Dr. Phuoc Minh Hiep, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City-based university, called on SOA Founder President, Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak for an interaction before winding up the visit. Dr. Dao Van Tuyet, Head of the Department of Data Science at the university, was also present.

Dr. Hiep expressed satisfaction over the opportunity to visit the different institutions of SOA which had greatly impressed the delegation. He also thanked the university for the hospitality extended to the delegation.

He mentioned about the facilities available in SOA in its medical college as also in research centres focused on genomics, bio-informatics, pharmaceuticals, data science and Artificial Intelligence. SIU would be interested to enter into collaboration with SOA for academic exchange and research in these areas, he said.

The Vietnamese delegation had engagements with faculties of the relevant departments and also went round the training facilities to see the infrastructure and understand methodologies.

Prof. (Dr.) Nayak said SIU should prepare a road map in this regard and take the matter forward. Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma, Director, University Outreach Program and International Relations, was present during the discussion.

Dr. Hiep and other members of the delegation had an interaction with SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Deans, departmental heads and faculty members on arrival in Bhubaneswar.

The Vietnamese delegation also visited cultural and historical sites in Bhubaneswar city.