2 November 2021

A line of men standing on a stage in front of a projector screen and a Vietnam and UK flag. At the front of the stage, 2 men hold up red documents

In Scotland for COP 26 and in the presence of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, the Vietnamese Vice Minister for Education, Nguyen Van Phuc met with representatives of Global Wales to sign the Action Plan that further cements the ongoing agreement of both countries to collaborate in higher education.

In Edinburgh, Rob Humphreys, Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and representing Global Wales, said:

“Its wonderful to be reunited with Vietnamese colleagues as both countries get together to tackle climate emergency. Both nations have so much to offer this agenda in terms of research and collaboration and we will be more successful  by acting together, this is the spirit of Global Wales and our partnership with Viet Nam.”

Earlier this week in Cardiff, Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford presented the Action Plan to Ambassador Long.  As Viet Nam’s Ambassador to the UK, on his first official trip to Wales and meeting some of this year’s students from Viet Nam, Ambassador Long said how delighted he was to get to meet the students, including recipients of the Global Wales Chevening scholarships and that ‘higher education is the central pillar of cooperation’.

Professor Iwan Davis, Vice Chancellor of Bangor University and Chair of Global Wales, said:

“On behalf of Global Wales and all the Welsh universities, I am delighted to welcome the Vietnamese Ambassador to Wales.

“Building on the memorandum of understanding signed in 2019, this action plan marks a momentous point in the relationship between our two countries’ education sectors and reflects our mutual vision, energy and continued commitment to the Global Wales programme.”

Supported by Global Wales, work has been undertaken at both governmental and institutional level. And through the long-standing and highly valued relationship with the British Council in both countries, it has been possible to work more closely together on a range of projects which address key issues in higher education such as supporting digital transformation of teaching and learning, and the development of leadership and management practices. Global Wales has also partnered with Chevening Scholarship programme to increase scholarship opportunities in Wales, as well as developing a platform enabling Welsh universities to collaborate further in Viet Nam.

The Action Plan between The Ministry of Education and Training of Viet Nam and the Welsh Government, encourages collaboration in research, teaching and training, widening opportunities for mobility and exchange for students, researchers and staff and also  supports system to system development across the higher education sectors.