25 years of legacy: RMIT Vietnam empowers future generations

Founded in 2000 at the invitation of the Vietnamese Government, RMIT Vietnam has stayed true to its mission: to nurture young people who dare to think, act, and lead with a global outlook. Over 25 years, the university has built a distinctive educational legacy, one that equips students with confidence, adaptability, and resilience to face an ever-changing world.

Today, RMIT Vietnam is home to more than 12,000 students and a network of 25,500 alumni in Vietnam and worldwide – carrying forward not only academic knowledge but also life values to their communities.

The legacy of the faculty: Empowering students for the future

At RMIT, lecturers are more than knowledge providers, they create learning environments where students can grow holistically: from technical skills to emotional intelligence, from global thinking to cultural connection.

Professor Robert McClelland, Dean of The Business School, explains: “Education at RMIT Vietnam does not just prepare students for a job, but for a purposeful life that is adaptable and value-driven. We give them the confidence to lead, the empathy to connect, and the courage to make change.”

For Mr Tran Ngoc Quang, Senior Program Manager of the Computing Technologies programs, the goal is clear: “to equip students with the mindset, skills, and readiness to stand alongside leading technology experts worldwide.”

After returning to Vietnam nearly two decades ago, he has worked with his colleagues to continuously update study programs in line with global trends. His true legacy goes far beyond coding – he inspires and motivates students, giving them the confidence to shine anywhere.

The legacy of professional staff: Bringing Work-Integrated Learning to life

What sets RMIT apart is its commitment to Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) from day one. Through skills programs, mentoring, coaching for international competitions, and connections with a network of over 2,000 enterprises, students develop not only knowledge but also the confidence to act.

Among those behind these connections is Mr Melvin Fernando, Senior Manager of Careers, Employment and Industry Relations. Together with his team, he has brought thousands of businesses into classrooms, run themed career events, designed competitions, and coached international teams.

The results speak for themselves: this year, RMIT students won the HSBC APAC Business Case Competition in Hong Kong, claimed runner-up at the ASEAN AI Competition in Singapore, and achieved many other accolades. For Mr Fernando, the true legacy is transformative – helping students connect knowledge with practice, and their present selves with their future aspirations.

The legacy of students and alumni: More than a degree is a way of life

“More than a degree, the university legacy is a way of life,” says Mr Le Tuan Anh, an RMIT Professional Communication graduate now working as a career coach and trainer.

Across more than 10 years with RMIT – as a student, staff member and partner – what he values most is the compass for living that he gained: a set of core values, an action mindset, and adaptability in the face of change. He now translates those into supporting young people in finding their own life directions.

Similarly, Ms Do Thi Nam Phuong, a Commerce graduate and now Head of Communications at Ho Chi Minh City University Medical Center, contributes to society through health communication, driving positive behaviour change. Once a hesitant student 16 years ago, she grew from the “seeds” RMIT planted: critical thinking, systematic problem-solving, humanity, and responsibility. Today, she returns to share her journey with students, passing on knowledge, responsibility, and empathy – just as she once received.

Over its 25 years in Vietnam, RMIT has accompanied tens of thousands of young people, each leaving their mark through choices in learning, work, and contribution. Stories like those of Mr Tuan Anh and Ms Nam Phuong represent the living legacy that RMIT takes pride in and will continue to cultivate.

With a consistent vision, RMIT is committed to preparing each new generation of young Vietnamese to face the future with confidence, resilience and a global perspective. This legacy continues to be written every day in classrooms, in businesses, and in communities by those connected to RMIT.

*Stories in this article were shared as part of the “Your Story, Our Legacy” project marking RMIT Vietnam’s 25th anniversary. More stories from our lecturers, staff, students, alumni, and parents can be read here.

Story: Thuy Do