On the afternoon of 27 February, 2026, VNUHCM - University of Information Technology (UIT) hosted a strategic working session with Prof. Emmanuel Planas, Deputy Director of the Global Liaison Office at the National Institute of Informatics (NII), Japan. The meeting focused on expanding collaborative horizons in advanced research and postgraduate training.Representing UIT were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Luu Thuy Ngan, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Dinh Duy, Head of Graduate Academic Affairs - Science Technology Office; Dr. Ngo Duc Thanh, Dean of Computer Science Faculty; Dr. Nguyen Tan Hoang Phuoc, Vice Dean of Information Science and Engineering Faculty; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Le Huy, Head of Hardware and IC Designs Department, Computer Engineering Faculty; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tan Cam, Head of Mobile Devices and Web Technology Department, Information Science and Engineering Faculty; along with faculty members from across the university.NII representatives discussed the international internship programDuring the session, NII representatives presented an overview of the institute’s 03 core operational pillars: research, postgraduate education, and infrastructure services for the scientific community. Key research areas include foundational informatics, information systems architecture, digital content and media sciences, as well as information and society. A major highlight of the discussion was the international internship program at NII for UIT students, which is offered twice annually with a duration of up to six months. NII representatives encouraged students to proactively reach out to and apply to multiple professors to enhance their chances of acceptance. Additionally, the number of selected candidates could be expanded with external funding from partners (such as Nafosted, Erasmus+, or other academic funding sources).To foster sustainable collaboration between UIT and NII, both parties discussed several strategic measures, including strengthening direct academic connections between faculty members to establish a solid foundation for student internships and joint research, proactively identifying and engaging newly appointed early-career lecturers at NII to broaden collaboration avenues, and organizing small-scale, specialized workshops instead of large “open house” events. The two institutions also considered establishing a dedicated fund to support Vietnamese students undertaking internships and research at NII, potentially sourced from Nafosted or academic funds in Ho Chi Minh City. Furthermore, both sides underscored the role of former NII interns currently working in Vietnam as compelling evidence of the program’s long-term impact and effectiveness.The meeting concluded in a spirit of openness and mutual commitment to sustainable academic development. The discussions not only create expanded opportunities for international internships and research for UIT faculty and students, but also lay a strong foundation for deeper and more substantive collaboration between the University of Information Technology and the National Institute of Informatics in the future.