On October 5, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HCMCOU) and the Kisarazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on human resource exchange in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The agreement marked a significant step forward in strengthening cooperation between the two institutions, with a focus on aligning education and training with the practical workforce needs of Japanese businesses.
The HCMCOU delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Ha – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University. Other delegation members included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Chau – Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuoc – Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering; Mr. Bui Do Cong Thanh, M.A. – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages; Mr. Pham Minh Tu, M.A. – Director of the Japanese Language Program and Director of the Vietnam–Japan Center for Culture and Education; and Mr. Nguyen Phi Hung, M.A. – Deputy Head of the Office of Academic Affairs.
Representing the Japanese partner were Mr. Ikeda Yasushi – Chairman of the Kisarazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Saiki Koichi – Executive Director; Mr. Tsuruoka Hideki – Secretary-General; and Mr. Endo Masafumi – Director of the Business Consultation Center under the Kisarazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Representatives of the Kisarazu City Government included Mr. Hirata Yuki – Section Head of the Industrial Promotion Division, Economic Affairs Department of Kisarazu City, and Ms. Yoshizawa Tamami – Officer of the Industrial Promotion Division, Economic Affairs Department of Kisarazu City.
Business representatives attending the ceremony included Mr. Kamigaichi Makoto – Representative Director of Orient Human Design Inc. (OHD Inc.), Japan; Mr. Ochiai Fuminori – Head of the Sales Department at OHD Inc.; and Mr. Nguyen Huu Quy – Director of Quy Khanh Consulting and Training One Member Co., Ltd., Executive Director and Representative of OHD Inc. in Vietnam, and a member of the Board of Directors of OHD Inc.
During the working session and signing ceremony, both parties focused on three key areas of cooperation.
First, expanding internship opportunities for HCMCOU students at businesses in Kisarazu. Through these programs, students will have opportunities to gain practical experience in professional working environments, develop essential career skills, improve their Japanese language proficiency, and deepen their understanding of Japanese corporate culture.
Second, facilitating employment opportunities for HCMCOU graduates at businesses in Kisarazu. Both parties aim to strengthen connections between graduates and local employers, thereby expanding international career opportunities for students while helping address the workforce needs of businesses in the region.
Third, enhancing information sharing and support policies for HCMCOU interns. The Kisarazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry will coordinate the provision of relevant information and the implementation of support measures for HCMCOU students undertaking internships in Kisarazu. During the meeting, the University also received detailed information on industries and sectors with demand for interns and employees, as well as available support mechanisms and policies for students during their internships and employment in the region.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Ha, the signing of the MOU provides an important foundation for HCMCOU to further enhance the quality of its academic programs, ensuring that students develop the professional knowledge, foreign language proficiency, and practical skills needed to meet the requirements of Japanese employers.
He also emphasized the University’s commitment to expanding internship programs across a wider range of academic disciplines. In collaboration with the Kisarazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HCMCOU aims to explore additional support policies that will facilitate students’ transition from internships to employment opportunities in Japan after graduation.
The signing ceremony represents a meaningful step toward strengthening university–industry cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. Through this partnership, HCMCOU seeks to provide students with greater access to international professional experiences, enhance their employability, and contribute to the development of a highly skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of the Japanese labor market.
Compiled by OU News