On 28 November 2025, the Center for Crime Science, in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and the Mekong Institute, held its first academic collaboration activity entitled “Building Collaboration on Crime Science and Transnational Crime” at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Vietnam.
The event was attended by more than 80 faculty members and students who expressed strong interest in the topic.
Highlights of the event included
The signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) on academic cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and the Center for Crime Science, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration in research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building activities.
A lecture on “The Background of the Center for Crime Science” by Police Captain (Female) Manassanun Kanthasi, and a lecture on “Crime Science Thinking” by Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksin Simaphongkul.
In addition, there was a panel discussion on “Human Trafficking and Scam Operations in the Mekong Region”, featuring experts from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and representatives from the Mekong Institute, including:
Human trafficking dynamics in “Scam City”
by Police Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Pheeraphat Mangkhasiri
Human trafficking in “Scam City” in the broader ASEAN context
by Prof. Hai Luong, Ph.D. – Griffith University, Australia
Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) landscape and regional trends related to human trafficking and scam centres
by Mr. Giwoong Son – Programme Officer, Trade and Investment Facilitation Department, Mekong Institute
This activity marks an important step in building a regional academic network on crime prevention and transnational crime within ASEAN. It also serves as a starting point for stronger future cooperation, including joint research development, co-hosted training programs, academic conferences, and the expansion toward larger regional projects between institutions.
The Center for Crime Science would like to sincerely thank Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and the Mekong Institute for jointly driving forward the Crime Science approach in addressing the emerging crime challenges in our region
