The State-level research project for the Northwest, commonly known to ULISers as the Northwest project, yields 35 products, including 14 training programs and 21 sets of teaching-learning materials. It is specifically conducted by ULIS for improving foreign language proficiency of Customs, Foreign Relation, Tourism officials and Border Guard in the Northwest region so as to perform their duties in the trend of international integration. On April 26^th, 2019  the State-level Council of Appraisal acknowledged the research project as an excellent one.

Under the title “Research on developing a model to improve foreign language competency for Customs, Foreign Relation, Tourism officials and Border Guard in the Northwest region in the trend of international integration”, the Northwest project mainly aims to:

• Assess the actual capacity and demand for foreign languages of Customs, Foreign Relation, Tourism officials and Border Guard in the Northwest region;
• Develop a theoretical basis for designing teaching programs, compiling teaching materials and online & face-to-face learning methods;
• Develop a model of fostering and improving foreign language competencies (English and Chinese) for the above-mentioned officials and officers to perform their duties and services in the trend of international integration;
• Pilot the model of fostering foreign language competencies for the above-mentioned officials and officers in Lao Cai and Lang Son provinces;
• Complete the model for full-fledged implementation in the whole Northwest region.