PRESS RELEASE

March 17, 2008

U.S. University to Fund Graduate Study; Signs MOU with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Representatives from the University of Missouri signed a Memorandum of Understanding to broaden academic and research collaboration on agricultural biotechnology with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) last week.  MARD will fund Masters and Doctoral degree students specializing in areas such as plant sciences, animal sciences and forestry.  Students will also receive laboratory support from University of Missouri academic advisors.  The Memorandum provides for faculty and student exchanges between Vietnamese institutions and the University of Missouri as well as scientific exchanges and workshops on various topics related to biotechnology. 

Dr. Thomas L. Payne, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources of the University of Missouri, and Dr. Trieu Van Hung, Director General of MARD’s Department of Science and Technology signed this important new Memorandum of Understanding which represents growing collaboration between U.S. and Vietnamese academic institutions.  While in Hanoi, Dr. Payne and other representatives of the University of Missouri will also visit research institutes and an agricultural university.

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