Talking to university Rector Nikolai Krobachev and students on March 12, Mr Nhan, who is on a current visit to Russia, proposed that the university undertake a joint project with Vietnam’s Le Quy Don Technology University to make it an institution, meeting international standards.

The project is of great significance in improving Vietnam’s training capacity and expanding its scope to meet the requirements for national development, said Mr Nhan.

He thanked the university for training Vietnamese officials between 1960-1990 and said his visit is to boost bilateral cooperation in various areas, especially education and training and science-technology.

Rector Kropachev praised Vietnam’s educational development in recent times and said his university is willing to share experiences, exchange expertise and provide necessary assistance to Vietnam.

Mr Nhan presented the honorary doctorate diploma to Professor Kropachev and the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Later Deputy PM Nhan met with students and representatives of Vietnamese living in Saint Petersburg.

Over the past six decades, former Soviet Union and Russia now have trained more than 70,000 officials, including more than 30,000 university graduates, 3,000 associate doctorate and 2,000 doctorate degree holders. Currently, approximately 5,000 Vietnamese students are studying at universities in Russia.