CAN THO UNIVERSITY
LOOKING BACK ON 50 YEARS
In the Mekong Delta (MD), a large, Vietnamtoimplementthistrainingform.
populated and natural resource-rich region, After 1975, CTI renamed Can Tho University
the demand for an educational scientific (CTU). In this period, CTU faced many
institution to develop its enormous potentials difficulties and hardships, especially the lacks
was greatly essential at a very early stage. On of teaching staff and facilities for training.
March 31st, 1966, to response the aspirations Meanwhile, with the clever leadership of Mr.
of the people in the MD, Can Tho Institute Pham Son Khai, the first Rector of CTU, the
(CTI) was established in the Southwest of University quickly stabilized the organization
Vietnam. Prof. Dr. Pham Hoang Ho was and enhanced training scale to meet the
appointed the first Director.
needs of human resources focused on the
agricultural sector. It would be impossible not
to mention the joint contribution of teachers
from various regions of the country and many
outstanding students after graduation; CTU
overcame all challenges and firmly stepped
forward. Thus, in a short time, CTU had made
great achievements in the fields of agriculture,
husbandry, and aquaculture, contributing
to the socio-economic development of the
MD, typically new short-term rice varieties
with high yield, many breeds of soybean,
fish, pig, etc. CTU's lecturers and students
always accompanied the farmers of the MD.
In 1979, the outbreak of brown plant hoppers
(Nilaparvata lugens) caused widespread
Campus II of Can Tho University in 1966
serious damage to agricultural production in
CTI had 04 faculties including Science, the region, CTU's staff and students stopped
Law and Social Sciences, Literature, and teaching and learning to bring new rice
Education; 01 College of Agriculture; and varieties resistant to plant hoppers to all of the
01 Center for Foreign Language. In the localities, then, solve the shortages of food for
period 1966-1970, CTI trained 985 students; the MD and the whole country. This event
simultaneously, did research on land, soil became a major highlight of the University
and plants in the MD. However, because of at that time. Through such activities, CTU
insufficient infrastructures, scientific research increasingly got close to people and won their
was limited. Since 1970, Prof. Dr. Nguyen trust.
Duy Xuan was officially chosen to be the next Despite of the difficult conditions, in the
leader of CTI. During his leadership tenure, 1979-1980 school year, CTU decided to
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Xuan applied advanced establish Faculty of Medicine-Pharmacy
credit-based training pattern that had been (the predecessor of Can Tho University of
popularly used in Western countries. At Medicine and Pharmacy nowadays) to train
that time, CTI became the first university in doctors, pharmacists serving the needs of
medical care.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPOR · 2015

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