Exploring Global Partnerships in Oral Cancer Research

In March 2026, Prof. Daniela Elena Costea, Principal Investigator at CCBIO, University of Bergen, travelled to Vietnam as part of an academic mission organized by Global Dental Ambassadors (USA), an organization she has been involved with since her sabbatical at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in 2018.

The visit, more than a year in the planning, brought together an international team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, dentists, oral pathologists, oral medicine specialists, and pain experts. Activities took place at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, with a shared focus on strengthening education and exploring opportunities for research collaboration.

Opening conversations on collaboration

Alongside teaching, the visit marked the start of discussions between CCBIO and Vietnamese partners on potential collaboration in oral cancer research, pathology education, digital diagnostics, and capacity building.

Prof. Costea delivered lectures on oral cancer biology and modern diagnostic approaches, while meetings with faculty and university leadership focused on possible next steps, including joint research initiatives, student exchanges, and the integration of digital pathology into teaching and clinical practice.

A shift in the classroom

In the lecture halls, the visit quickly became more than a series of presentations. For many students, it was also an introduction to new ways of learning.

Interactive tools such as Mentimeter were used to turn lectures into two-way exchanges. Real-time polling and quizzes prompted discussion, and students actively engaged in case-based reasoning. What began as unfamiliar technology quickly became part of a more dynamic classroom environment. During the plenary sessions, nearly 300 students and staff participated via Mentimeter, highlighting the strong interest in the topics presented.

Discovering digital pathology

A similar development unfolded in the laboratory setting. Using the Aiforia virtual microscopy platform, students explored oral pathology cases digitally, an approach new to many of them.

After a brief adjustment, students navigated virtual slides, identified histopathological features, and discussed diagnostic possibilities with confidence. The sessions offered a glimpse of how digital tools can expand access to training and support more modern approaches to pathology education.

Shared challenges, shared opportunities

The discussions throughout the visit were grounded in a common challenge. Oral cancer remains a significant global health issue, particularly in regions where access to specialized expertise and advanced diagnostic tools is limited.

Against this backdrop, collaboration becomes more than an academic aim. It provides a framework for sharing knowledge, developing educational resources, and strengthening research environments across institutions and regions.

Beyond the lecture halls

Outside the formal program, the visit also offered insights into Vietnam’s cultural and historical context, particularly in Hue.

Often associated internationally with its war history, Vietnam revealed another dimension during the visit. Hue, the former imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, is home to the Imperial City and Emperor’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through its walls and gardens highlighted a much longer and richer historical continuum.

For CCBIO, the visit provided a basis for continuing dialogue with partners in Vietnam.

“My strongest takeaway from this visit was the enthusiasm of the students and young researchers. Despite limited access to advanced digital tools and research infrastructure, they were highly engaged and eager to learn about oral cancer, pathology, and emerging diagnostic approaches. Given the significant burden of oral cancer in Vietnam, I believe this visit has laid the foundation for future collaboration in oral cancer research and education,” Prof. Costea concludes.