Students at the School of Communication & Design recently explored the evolving landscape of gender equality in Vietnam through an industry-connected workshop, Gender Equality Through Integrated Learning: A Conversation with Investing in Women. Organised by the Sustainability Hub for Educators project team, the session highlighted the progress Vietnam has made with respect to Gender Equality, while showing the students how the academic learning at university can be enriched through real-world perspectives and partnerships.
Students, guest speakers and lecturers pose together after the event "A Conversation with Investing in Women" at RMIT, held on 8 April 2026
Hosted by Associate Professor Justin Battin, Associate Program Manager, Professional Communication, the workshop welcomed Mr Kim Arveen Patria, Campaign and Communities of Practice Director at Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, who brought both regional insights and practical experience into the classroom. The session was designed to particularly benefit students in Digital Communication and Communication in general, offering them a clearer understanding of how gender equality issues intersect with communication, behaviour change, and campaign design.
From left to right: Associate Professor Long Nguyen, Mr Kim, and Associate Professor Justin Battin during a moment of appreciation for Mr Kim’s participation
The workshop opened with an introduction to the Social Norms, Attitudes, and Practices Survey (SNAPS), a large-scale regional study commissioned by Investing in Women and implemented by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at the Australian National University. Conducted across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, the survey explores how social expectations shape behaviours related to gender roles across six areas including childcare, dependent adult care, housework, income-earning responsibilities, gender-based job segregation, and leadership.
Mr Kim Arveen Patria, Campaign and Communities of Practice Director at Investing in Women introducing introduces SNAPS to students
The discussion evolved into an interactive exchange, with students raising thoughtful and, at times, challenging questions. Conversations ranged from the role of media campaigns in reinforcing or reshaping social norms to how different strategies and perspectives can be applied to address gender issues in the Vietnamese context and beyond. This dynamic dialogue allowed participants to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world application, particularly within the Vietnamese context.
Students actively engage by asking questions during the session
Students actively engage by asking questions during the session
The workshop hoped to provide not only new insights but also a deeper appreciation of how industry and academia can collaborate to address complex social issues. By engaging directly with professional practitioners, students were able to see how research findings translate into campaigns and interventions aimed at driving behavioural change.
This collaboration represents a meaningful milestone for both the Sustainability Hub for Educators and Investing in Women, reflecting a shared commitment to enriching the curriculum and preparing students to engage with pressing societal challenges in their future careers.
RMIT academics and staff chat with Mr Kim during the event
Share experiences and form partnerships around sustainability in education with SDGs.
