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On 15 August, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) held a ceremony to confer the title of “Honorary Professor” on Prof. Norimichi Takenaka of Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan. The conferment marked the first time that HCMUS has bestowed this title, recognising the Professor’s sustained contributions to education, scientific research, academic exchange and international collaboration.

The relationship between VNUHCM–University of Science and Prof. Norimichi Takenaka has been cultivated over more than two decades, particularly in the field of environmental science. Beginning with professional exchanges, the relationship gradually developed into a range of research, internship, postgraduate training and academic exchange programmes between HCMUS and Osaka Metropolitan University, providing generations of lecturers, doctoral researchers and students with opportunities to engage with an international academic environment.

In his address, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, President of VNUHCM–University of Science, emphasised that Prof. Norimichi Takenaka is not only a distinguished scholar and educator who has made significant contributions to science, but also a friend and long-standing partner of HCMUS. Through sustained professional engagement in atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, the Professor has worked closely with lecturers and researchers at HCMUS, contributing to research capacity building, human resource development and the internationalisation of academic activities. Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan expressed the hope that the longstanding partnership would continue to create further opportunities for students, lecturers and researchers of HCMUS.

According to Dr Lê Tự Thành, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, the relationship between HCMUS and Osaka Metropolitan University was established in the late 1990s and early 2000s and was subsequently strengthened significantly through the contributions of Prof. Norimichi Takenaka from 2004 onwards. During his long-standing collaboration with the Faculty of Environment, the Professor supervised numerous lecturers undertaking doctoral research and supported Vietnamese doctoral researchers in their studies, research and academic publications.

One of the most notable outcomes of this collaboration is the OMU–HCMUS Summer Exchange Programme, which has been maintained since 2012. The programme has served as a sustained bridge between lecturers and students from the two universities, providing participants with opportunities to experience an international academic environment and engage in internships, research activities and professional exchange.

From the perspective of former students, Assoc. Prof. Tô Thị Hiền, one of the first doctoral researchers involved in the programme, shared that Prof. Norimichi Takenaka has consistently provided dedicated support in research orientation and laboratory capacity building, while creating opportunities for Vietnamese students and early-career researchers to study and work in Japan. Such support has helped many former students gain greater confidence as they continued their scientific careers after returning to Ģ����ý.

At the ceremony, VNUHCM–University of Science officially announced the decision and presented the certificate conferring the title of “Honorary Professor” on Prof. Norimichi Takenaka. The conferment represents a formal recognition of an international scholar whose longstanding commitment to HCMUS has contributed significantly to the development of enduring academic partnerships, while also marking an important milestone in the University’s international academic relations.

In his response, Prof. Norimichi Takenaka expressed his appreciation for the recognition from HCMUS and for the affection shown by generations of lecturers, doctoral researchers and students who have accompanied him throughout the journey. His remarks at the ceremony were deeply moving for those in attendance, particularly former students and colleagues who have studied, conducted research and worked alongside him.