On December 19, 2024, Nam Can Tho University organized a visit, gift presentation, and laid the foundation for cooperation in community support and assistance activities at the ECO Vietnam Group (EVG) - Community Library Project in Cau Ke District, Tra Vinh Province.

With the mission of an educational institution always oriented toward sustainable community development, the leadership of Nam Can Tho University pays special attention to strengthening cooperative relationships between community organizations and the University. In addition to annual volunteer and community assistance trips to localities across the country, the University also promotes scientific research cooperation, technology transfer, and community support through experiential education programs for youth at community centers in various localities within and outside the province.

Among the community centers that the University has visited and worked with, the EVG – Community Library Project has made a strong impression with its enthusiasm and dedication in community support activities at many localities nationwide. This non-governmental and non-profit organization was established on September 7, 2009, by Mr. Pham Van Anh (Harry) and young Vietnamese people who share the same passion and enthusiasm. The EVG – Community Library Project center in Phong Thanh Commune, Cau Ke District, Tra Vinh Province was established in December 2011 thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of Singaporean and Vietnamese volunteers through Overseas Service Learning projects. According to Mr. Pham Van Anh, Overseas Service Learning is understood as a regional community development project or learning from service – where foreign students come to Vietnam not only to provide support but also to learn from this very community. The center was established with the purpose of being a place for volunteers and experts to stay while supporting the locality, as well as serving as a community activity venue for residents, especially in education and culture.

During Nam Can Tho University’s visit to the EVG – Community Library Project center, Dr. Tran Thi Thuy, Vice Rector of Nam Can Tho University, led the delegation along with faculty and students from the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and the Center for Training Outcome Standards and Human Resources Developmen. Representing the EVG Center, Mr. Pham Van Anh shared the center’s current activities aimed at three objectives: Access to quality education, sustainable livelihoods, and preservation of culture and indigenous identity through Learning programs, International Service-Learning, and liberating approaches. In particular, he emphasized his gratitude to Dr. Tran Thi Thuy – who regularly follows the EVG Center’s activities and also contributes support so that the Center can continue its journey of bringing quality educational activities to children. Both sides shared opportunities to collaborate together to promote community-oriented experiential education programs for students and work together on sustainable community activities, especially in the Mekong Delta region.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Tran Thi Thuy, on behalf of the university, presented commemorative gifts to the EVG Center to commemorate the success in agreeing to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in the coming time with many programs and subjects. Specifically, these include English communication, creativity and entrepreneurship, environmentally friendly agriculture, beverage preparation, and food technology. With the similarity in mission and vision regarding responsibility to the community, the cooperation between Nam Can Tho University and the EVG Center will be a practical bridge between communities facing difficulties and volunteer organizations and groups providing assistance, toward the goal of sustainable development in the future.