Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – From February 16th to 22nd, 2025, the 10th World Water Valley Forum and the 10th Overseas China Forum (Laos), along with related activities, were successfully held in Vientiane, Laos. The forum, themed "Building a Model of China-Laos Community with a Shared Future and Promoting Sustainable Development of Lancang-Mekong Water Cooperation," featured in-depth theoretical and practical discussions on topics such as academic research on Lancang-Mekong cooperation, cross-border education and talent cultivation, and China-Laos innovation and entrepreneurship and cross-cultural management. The forum was jointly hosted by Hohai University, the National University of Laos, IFSAM China, IFEAMA China, and IPMA Water SIG.
At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Phoupet Kyophilavong, Vice President of the National University of Laos; Xu Hui, Director of the Academic Committee of Hohai University, President of the Hohai University Alumni Association, and former President of Hohai University; Liu Haiyang, Chairman of Shenzhen Lanjiang Real Estate Development Group Co., Ltd.; Bouasinengma Joxiong, Vice President of the Vientiane Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; and a representative of Lao students from Hohai University. The forum's opening ceremony was chaired by Zhang Changzheng, Vice Dean of the School of Business, Hohai University.
Vadsana Chanthanasinh, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, National University of Laos; Huang Dechun, Executive Dean of the World Water Valley Research Institute of Hohai University and Director of the Hohai University Overseas Center (Laos); Zhang Hengjie, Vice Dean of the School of Business, Hohai University; and Tang Zhen, Professor of the School of Business, Hohai University, Director of IFSAM, and Secretary-General of IFEAMA, respectively introduced the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the National University of Laos, the World Water Valley Research Institute of Hohai University, the School of Business of Hohai University, and the international organizations IFSAM and IFEAMA. Following this, witnessed by the attendees, the Hohai University-National University of Laos Joint Master's Program was officially launched, and a donation ceremony was held for the Hohai University School of Business-National University of Laos Sustainable Development Research Center.
The IFSAM/IFEAMA/IPMA Water International Organization Cooperation Forum introduced the development history, mission, vision, and membership of IFSAM-China, IFEMA-China, and IPMA Water. These international organizations, as important platforms for knowledge exchange, practical development, and cross-cultural cooperation, represent the joint efforts of global scholars, practitioners, and institutions to actively address the challenges brought about by an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
At the "Belt and Road" Education Connectivity and Hohai University Business School Education Project Promotion Forum, Qiu Chong, Director of the International Education Center of the Business School, introduced Hohai University, the development history of the Hohai University Business School, and its international student education programs. Du Xiaorong, Head of the Accounting Department of the Business School, introduced the joint 1+1 master's program between Hohai University Business School and the Faculty of Economics and Management of the National University of Laos. Li Hui, Academic Director of the MBA Center, introduced the MBA program and the training process and characteristics of the Lao MBA class. Zhu Xu, Executive Director of the MEM Center, introduced the MEM program. In-depth exchanges were held with Lao teachers and students, as well as employees of Lao and Chinese enterprises, regarding the specific implementation of the three projects.
At the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Thematic Forum, scholars from China and Laos shared their insights on topics such as international business, environmental sustainability, finance, and marketing, leveraging the platform of the Lancang-Mekong Sustainable Development Research Center. Professor Huang Dechun first introduced the construction of the Hohai University Overseas Center (Laos). Following this, Associate Professors Bounlert Vanhnalat and Bounmy Inthakesone, Lecturers Alay Phonvisay and Toulany Thavisay from the National University of Laos, and Associate Professors He Zhengqi and Xin Fu, and Lecturer Tian Ming from Hohai University, each gave academic presentations.
During the alumni-themed activities, representatives of Hohai University alumni in Laos, including Chansaveng Boungnong, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Laos, and Manothong Vongsay, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos, engaged in in-depth exchanges with university leaders, Chinese alumni representatives, and current student representatives. During the event, under the chairmanship of Xu Hui, President of the Hohai University Alumni Association, a reshuffle of the Lao Alumni Association was held, with Bouasinengma Joxiong and Wei Shuhui delivering speeches as the newly elected presidents.
Pragmatic cooperation was a major highlight of this event. During the conference, a symposium for Chinese and Lao entrepreneurs was held, participants visited the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and conducted research at the Lao Banking Academy. Multiple parties reached cooperation and exchange mechanisms focusing on future investment opportunities in education, new energy, real estate, and tourism.
This forum and related activities represent a powerful practice of the World Water Valley's efforts to promote Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation and are also an important milestone for overseas Chinese in supporting the Belt and Road Initiative.
