Vietnam, UK seek stronger co-operation in research and knowledge transfer

The event took place as part of a broad array of activities within the framework of the Vietnam Days in the UK from March 28 to April 27 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic  ties between the two countries.

The seminar focused on evaluating research and knowledge transfer in Vietnam, as well as measures aimed at developing an excellent framework for this work to be suitable for the higher education context in the nation.

Participants focused their discussions on solutions which can develop an excellent research evaluation system, improve the overall quality of research, encourage innovation and development, as well as building trust among stakeholders.

In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long hailed the role played by the Vietnam-UK Higher Education Partnership Network in terms of promoting education ties between the two countries, whilst also affirming that the UK is the leading education partner of Vietnam with more than 100 co-operation programmes. Indeed, many Vietnamese students consider the UK to be a top destination for their study in many fields.

He highlighted the role of the network in terms of supporting and meeting the demand of students from the two nations, adding that the demand is important to determine educational co-operation orientations between the two countries in the future.

He affirmed the Embassy’s willingness to support the network as part of connecting and enhancing educational co-operation between both sides, he said.

Donna McGowan, director of the British Council Vietnam, said that the council is fully committed to supporting Vietnam in its higher education reform agenda, as well as working closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen educational ties between the two nations. This can be achieved through sharing experience and co-operation in strategic areas such as university leadership, gender equality, and social inclusion; innovation and knowledge transfer; digital conversion; and examination and accreditation of higher education quality.

She expressed hope that the partnership will help the British Council to share the best British educational practices with Vietnamese universities, whilst at the same time bringing more opportunities for the two countries to expand higher education linkages.

Prof. Raymond Lee, co-chair of the Vietnam-UK Higher Education Partnership Network, said there remains ample room for the two nations to enhance ties in higher education, especially in training, research, and knowledge transfer.

The network is working to offer an environment and opportunities to connect educational partners of both nations and further develop their partnership in the future, he stated.  

Established in October, 2018, the Vietnam-UK Higher Education Partnership Network is designed to become an innovative network, promoting the internationalisation of higher education in teaching and learning, as well as in research and innovation.