Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City discuss potential collaboration in education 

Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City discuss potential collaboration in education 

Recently, delegates on the Victorian Government’s University Mission to Vietnam have attended the Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City Roundtable entitled ‘Innovation and research: Investment for the future’ at RMIT’s Saigon South campus.

The Delegation was led by the Hon John Brumby AO, Chair of Victoria’s International Education Advisory Council, Chair of Victoria’s Breakthrough Fund, and Chancellor of La Trobe University. Facilitated by RMIT Vietnam Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement Jodie Altan, the roundtable welcomed distinguished guests including the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs Mr Tran Phuoc Anh, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies Mr Truong Minh Huy Vu, as well as representatives of six universities from Ho Chi Minh City.

The Hon John Brumby AO, Chair of Victoria’s International Education Advisory Council The Hon John Brumby AO, Chair of Victoria’s International Education Advisory Council

The roundtable was an opportunity for Victoria and Vietnam to exchange best practices, knowledge, and experience in structuring education and innovation ecosystems to support both countries’ development agendas. It was part of a high-level visit by Victorian universities to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to further establish close relationships with Vietnam following successful visits by His Excellency Mr Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam to Australia, and the Victorian Government Treasurer Mr Tim Pallas to Vietnam earlier this year.

The Mission also celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia and reinforces Victoria as a key education, trade, and investment partner with Vietnam.

The objectives of the roundtable were for Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City to share development priorities and challenges around technological disruption and sustainable cities and to discuss the role that education plays in supporting workforce and skill transformation needs. The event highlighted Victoria’s education, research, and innovation ecosystem as well as the lessons learnt in this area and how they contribute to Victoria’s development and success. Moreover, it explored collaboration and partnership opportunities between Victorian universities and Ho Chi Minh City government and universities.

The discussion explored collaboration and partnership opportunities between Victorian universities and Ho Chi Minh City government and universities. The discussion explored collaboration and partnership opportunities between Victorian universities and Ho Chi Minh City government and universities.

The Hon John Brumby AO shared: “The discussion provided an excellent foundation to create more connections, more friendship and more economic opportunities between Vietnam and Australia.

“We share a common vision to create future opportunities through research and development, upskilling the capabilities of our people, adding value to our service and investment in innovation,” he added.

Mr Tran Phuoc Anh, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs as well as an RMIT Vietnam MBA alumnus, said: “We need to make much more investment in innovation and research. In fact, it is a priority and ambition of Ho Chi Minh City leadership to turn Ho Chi Minh City into a smart city as well as the innovation hub of the region.

“In early 2021, Ho Chi Minh City signed an MoU with RMIT University. Since then, we have received many assistances from RMIT for our civil servants as well as students that would be immensely helpful for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.”

According to Mr Phuoc Anh, “RMIT has been making great contribution to the education development in Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.”

The roundtable held insightful discussions and reflected on the ongoing collaboration between Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City in various key areas including investment and trade, food processing, education and training, liveability, science and technology, and environmental management. The event highlighted the already strong relationship between Victoria and Vietnam and the commitment that both parties share to build a brighter future for the region through education and innovation.

The event highlighted the already strong relationship between Victoria and Vietnam. The event highlighted the already strong relationship between Victoria and Vietnam.

RMIT Vietnam Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement Jodie Altan shared: “At RMIT, we believe that universities have a number of important roles to play in the communities they serve.  And one of these roles is about playing host to discourse, to challenging the status quo and, when required, to escalate the pace of change in the areas that matter most.  

“To realise its ambitions, Vietnam will need to cultivate new workforce skills and support its people to develop the insight and human capabilities that go hand-in-hand with a society in transformation.”   

She added: “This is the role of RMIT Vietnam, because a university experience is as much about preparing to contribute to society, as it is about preparing for work.”

“We are proud to co-host this event with the Victorian Government, which aligns with our vision of being a leading university in the region, offering high-quality education and research opportunities,” said Ms Altan.

Story: Dung Pham

29 May 2023

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