ThinkTNE: Leveraging UK–Viet Nam transnational education partnerships – a UK–Viet Nam Higher Education Collaboration Forum 

Event details 

  • Time and date: 08.30–15.30, Thursday 19 October 2023.
  • Venue: Ballroom, Melia Hotel, 44 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi, Viet Nam. 

Context  

As one of the fastest growing economies in the region and in the world, Viet Nam is facing challenges such as improving the quality of its workforce to meet the needs of its economic development. Resolution 29-NQ/TW on radical and fundamental innovation in education indicated resolutions include improving the quality of higher education, enhancing research, and promoting innovation through internationalisation. 

Education is a key pillar in the UK–Viet Nam strategic partnership and the UK is regarded as a preferred international partner as demonstrated by the Government-to-Government Education Memorandum of Understanding and the Memorandum of Collaboration between the British Council and the Ministry of Education and Training.   The UK is ranked as the 4th preferred English speaking study destination and as the #1 country with the largest number of transnational education (TNE) programmes in Viet Nam.   

The development of productive partnerships between UK–Viet Nam institutions will be essential for Viet Nam and UK knowledge economy to flourish. Transnational education (TNE) is integral to positive education and scientific relations, and academic and student exchange between and within countries; it is most successful and sustainable when structured for mutual benefit.

The British Council commits to support Viet Nam in their higher education reform agenda and implementation of Resolution 29-NQ/TW. Since 2021, the British Council has enabled 29 partnerships between 23 UK universities and 38 Viet Nam universities and organisations in response to MOET’s priorities.  

This year, 2023 marks 50 years of UK–Viet Nam diplomatic relations and 30 years of the British Council in Viet Nam. This Forum will provide a platform for highlighting success stories of the UK–Viet Nam higher education partnerships during the past few years and creating opportunities for UK–Viet Nam HE partnerships in TNE to be developed further, both in breadth and depth. 

Event objectives 

Ministry of Education and Training, British Embassy and British Council in Viet Nam co-organise the Forum to create a transnational education forum for UK and Viet Nam higher education (HE) leaders to:  

  • Network – meet existing and new partners and share knowledge.
  • Discuss – outline the enabling environment in the form of strategy, trends, and opportunities for deepening and progressing TNE partnerships. 
  • Partner – position the UK as a partner of choice for HE quality assurance and TNE, creating a platform to develop partnerships in teaching, learning and research.
  • Showcase – highlight success stories of UK-Viet Nam higher education partnerships as case studies and lessons learnt for future partnerships. 

Targeted audience

Targeted audience include higher level education leaders from UK and Vietnamese Government organisations, higher education leaders (Rectors/Vice Rector, Presidents, Pro-Vice Chancellors and TNE partnership managers) from UK and Vietnamese universities and professional organisations.