On the day of first and second of December, 2021, the HaNoi University of Civil Engineering (NUCE) attended the Dialogue Conference among leaders of the Vietnam – Australia universities of technology and engineering.

The main topics discussed at the conference including the activities of the School Council, quality improvement of lecturers, sustainable financial management of universities, commercialization research and business cooperation, research innovation and internationalization.

Overview of the conference

Attending the meeting were leaders of the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training; Australian Department of Education, HR and Employment Relations; Australian Embassy in Vietnam; Vietnam's technical block including 7 universities namely National University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Danang University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, University of Transport and Communications, University of Water Resources and University of Mining - Geology; Block of 6 Australia's major technology and engineering universities including RMIT University, Deakin University, Curtin University, University of South Australia, University of Technology Sydney and University of Newcastle. Nearly 60 representatives from the Government and Higher Education sector in Australia and Vietnam attended the event to share expertise with the hope of promoting comprehensive cooperation in tertiary education among universities.

Mr. Mark Tattersall, Australia's Deputy Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam, expressed his excitement to join and organize this event, which is the first forum connecting the technical institutions of Vietnam and Australia in order to strengthen the bilateral cooperation relationship between both parties. Mr. Deputy Ambassador shared that Education is an important pillar in the strategic partnership of Australia and Vietnam, playing a supporting role in trade, investment, and people-to-people diplomacy. Further bonding was committed to being strengthened under the men’s support as well as forums are created frequently to boost policy dialogues, cooperation, and innovation. The deputy Ambassador pins high hope on the students’ returning to school and researchers with their innovation research in cooperation with Australia’s research centers aiming to develop a prosperous future, maintain development and peace nationwide.

Mr. Mark Tattersall addressed at the ceremony.

Prof. Iain Martin, President of the Australian Technological University Network (ATN) – Vice-Rector of Deakin University, highly appreciated the importance of the educational partnership between the two countries in response to socio-economic problems and improve the quality of life. ATN through collaborative research works has made a breakthrough in academic environment contributed to the development and innovation. Admittedly, the bonding also help to tackle world's major problems. Vietnam is either strategic partner of Australia with about 4000 students and Ph.D. students studying abroad every year. This forum has leveled up partnership among universities of the two nations. Expectation on intensive and extensive collaboration among Vie-Aus universities soared.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh gave her congratulation speech.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam (MOET) voiced her thought at the conference. Her statement raises concern on the change in national and global education which leans towards internationalization and digital transformation. Minh hopes that the Australian Government and Australian universities will continue to make in-depth cooperation efforts with Vietnamese partners on the basis of win-win cooperation. The Ministry of Education and Training wishes to work closely with universities to build common standards in the higher education system with an aim to ensure the quality, effectiveness, and practicality of training programs, especially in the period towards full university autonomy.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy spoke at the meeting

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa - Rector of HUCE sends his sincere thanks to the assistance of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Network of Australian Technological Universities and to the support of the Ministry of Education and Training to host the event. This conference is an opportunity for Australian and Vietnamese universities of engineering and technology to share experiences in fields of university management and administration as well as programs in training, research, international cooperation and development of facilities to meet the needs of society, said Hoa. He expect further forums to be organized in order to promote exchange and cooperation between both parties.

The conference was successfully held in 2 days covering 6 topics of interest to most graduate schools nationwide and globally. The program sets the tone for collaborative activities to find ideas and common interests among schools in the future.