The Swiss Red Cross to Laos on Friday gives two minibuses worth US$75,000, 10 motorbikes, 70 mobile phones, six computers and other items worth more than 948 million kip to Lao Red Cross staff in Vientiane to support implementation of a project to encourage more people to give blood and ensure the safety of donated blood supplied to hospitals, and a project to strengthen emergency preparedness in schools and communities.   --Photo Pasaxon

President of the National University of Laos, Assoc. Prof. Dr Sinthavone Daravong, Standing Committee member and Publicity Department Director of the Zhuang Guangxi Autonomous Region Party Committee in China, Ms Chen Yijun, other officials, teachers and students gather at the Confucius Institute at the National University of Laos on Friday to share in activities and discuss the experiences of young people in Guangxi and those studying at the Confucius Institute.

New graduates celebrate their success with their families and their friends following the presentation of certificates at the National University of Laos on Saturday.

Youngsters  buy flowers to give to their friends at the degree conferring ceremony at the National University of Laos.

Staff from the Laos-Korea Agricultural Technical Service and Rural Development Centre and local farmers visit a coffee plantation during a five-day coffee cultivation training workshop at the Southern Agricultural Training Centre on September 18. The workshop was attended by agricultural officers and farmers from five villages in Pakxong district, Champasak province, and five villages in Thataeng district, Xekong province. Growers learnt about ways to boost crop yields and address production challenges. Key topics included coffee tree care, integrated pest management, soil fertility, organic fertiliser production, post-harvest handling and irrigation, to boost the efficiency and quality of coffee production.

Member of the Board of Directors of Burapha Agro-Forestry Co., Ltd, Mrs Souphayvanh Thiengchanhxay (right), hands over 20 million kip to Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) Dr Xaybandith Rasphone (left) as a contribution to a business sector disaster management fund managed by the LNCCI, to support disaster preparedness and response efforts. --Photo LNCCI