On October 3, as part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Nha Trang University’s growth and development in Khanh Hoa Province, Nha Trang University officially launched the Marine Economy Forum (MEF). The event brought together nearly 250 delegates, including representatives from regulatory agencies, local authorities, businesses, industry associations, research institutes, universities, international organizations, and leading experts in the marine economy sector.
Launching ceremony of the Marine Economy Forum (MEF).
Initiated and coordinated by Nha Trang University under an open, regular, and flexible cooperation model, the MEF aims to serve as a core hub connecting practical demands with knowledge resources, science and technology, training, consultancy, and technology transfer. Through the Forum, local authorities, enterprises, associations, and organizations can present practical challenges, thereby connecting with experts, research groups, laboratories, and specialized units to collaboratively conduct research, build solutions, and implement tasks with specific deliverables, timelines, and clear accountabilities.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Quach Hoai Nam, President of Nha Trang University, emphasized that marine economic development is a strategic priority closely tied to economic growth, science and technology, environmental protection, human resource development, national defense and security, and the enhancement of national standing. In this context, inter-sectoral and regional linkages, along with the substantive participation of all stakeholders, have become increasingly essential.
Dr. Quach Hoai Nam, President of Nha Trang University, speaks at the launch of the Marine Economy Forum.
According to the university’s strategic orientation, the MEF is not intended to be a one-time conference, but rather aims to establish a long-term mechanism of cooperation where members jointly identify issues, select priorities, design programs, implement tasks, and evaluate outcomes. The effectiveness of the Forum will be demonstrated through practical and actionable recommendations, concrete programs and projects, tested and applied scientific-technological solutions, and demand-driven human resource training activities.
The priority areas of the MEF include: High-tech marine aquaculture and seafood processing; Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic resource conservation; Logistics, seaport services, shipbuilding, and maritime engineering; Sustainable marine tourism; Marine environment, circular economy, and marine biotechnology; Offshore renewable energy; Digital transformation, innovation, and marine human resource development.
The Steering Committee of the Marine Economy Forum (MEF) holds its first meeting.
Immediately following the launch ceremony, the MEF Steering Committee convened its first meeting, agreeing on coordination mechanisms, the activity plan for the fourth quarter of 2026, and operational orientations for 2027. In parallel, Nha Trang University signed cooperation agreements with partners, laying a solid foundation to translate connections established at the Forum into concrete collaborative programs.
By launching the MEF, Nha Trang University continues to reinforce its role as a higher education institution with strong expertise in marine science, fisheries, and workforce training, actively connecting academic knowledge with practical applications to foster a collaborative ecosystem and drive a green, sustainable, and high-value marine economy.
