On 24 November 2023, the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SPMPH), Hanoi Medical University, successfully hosted the 5th Annual Scientific Conference on Nutrition - Celebrating 10 Years of Bachelor of Nutrition Training with the theme "Nutrition Contributing to Enhancing Vietnamese Stature", featuring the participation of leading nutrition experts from Vietnam and Japan.
Conference Attendees:
From the Ministry of Health: Mr. Ha Thanh Son, MSc, Specialist at the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, in charge of Clinical Nutrition.From Japan: Mr. Shohei Sasaki, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam; Prof. PhD. Shigeiru Yamamoto, Jumonji University, Japan.From Hanoi Medical University: Prof. PhD. Ta Thanh Van, Chairman of the University Council; Mr. Pham Xuan Thang, Vice Rector.From the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SPMPH): Prof. PhD. Pham Duy Tuong, Former Dean of SPMPH, Former Head of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety; Prof. PhD. Le Thi Huong, Dean of SPMPH, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety; Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyen Dang Vung, Vice Dean of SPMPH; Assoc. Prof. PhD. Kim Bao Giang, Vice Dean of SPMPH.The event also welcomed numerous delegates from professional associations, nutrition departments of medical universities, and hospitals across the country, alongside representatives from agencies, organizations, and sponsors who contributed significantly to the success of this conference.
Hanoi Medical University was the first institution in Vietnam to pioneer the 4-year Bachelor of Nutrition training program in 2013, with support from leading Japanese nutrition experts and in collaboration with the National Institute of Nutrition and the Ajinomoto Foundation (Japan). To date, Hanoi Medical University has enrolled 11 cohorts, with 6 cohorts having graduated over 300 students.
In his opening remarks, Prof. PhD. Ta Thanh Van, Party Secretary and Chairman of the University Council, emphasized: Training Bachelors of Nutrition plays a crucial role in contributing to the enhancement of the stature of the Vietnamese people.
During the ceremony, Prof. PhD. Le Thi Huong, Dean of SPMPH and Head of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, shared: The trained Bachelors of Nutrition have made a vital contribution to the healthcare workforce. Previously, patients in hospitals often lacked proper nutritional care, which affected treatment outcomes. It became clear that nutrition experts were needed to guide patients both in hospitals and in the community. Based on this reality, Hanoi Medical University initiated the Bachelor of Nutrition training program.
The 10th Anniversary Celebration of Bachelor of Nutrition training and the 5th Annual Scientific Conference on Nutrition served as a gathering for international experts, managers from the Ministry of Health, professional associations, employers, hospitals, the National Institute of Nutrition, and universities. The conference provided a platform to reflect on the 10-year journey and discuss future directions for the Bachelor of Nutrition training program.
Under the theme "Nutrition Contributing to Enhancing Vietnamese Stature," the conference featured significant presentations, including "Solutions/Policies to Improve the Stature of Vietnamese People" by Assoc. Prof. PhD. Tran Thanh Duong from the National Institute of Nutrition; "Policies and Orientations for Nutrition Practice in Vietnam" by Mr. Ha Thanh Son, MSc, from the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment (Ministry of Health); and contributions from nutrition experts at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital and K Hospital.
As a leading company and community in health and wellness, Herbalife Vietnam consistently supports training activities for the nutrition workforce. Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Dung, Director of Product Science at Herbalife Vietnam, presented on: "Global Nutrition and Health Trends: Considerations in Nutritional Product Development." The presentation received significant interest from conference attendees.
The 5th Annual Scientific Conference on Nutrition and the 10th Anniversary of Bachelor of Nutrition training concluded successfully. The conference highlighted the significant achievements of the nutrition sector and expressed hope that the Bachelor of Nutrition training will continue to develop, producing high-quality, specialized human resources to meet public health needs and integrate globally. The Bachelor of Nutrition has become a sustainable training program alongside other disciplines in the health sector.
Through this conference, the SPMPH, Hanoi Medical University, looks forward to the continued cooperation and partnership of Japanese counterparts, nutrition experts, universities, and businesses, as well as the further development of the Bachelor of Nutrition training program in the future.
