Fifteen universities from Vietnam and twenty-one from the United States recently met in Ho Chi Minh City to exchange ideas and seek new opportunities for cooperation in education, training, and research.

The meeting was part of the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP), co-organized by the U.S. Mission in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), and the Institute of International Education (IIE). The initiative coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

The Vietnamese institutions represented were from the central and southern regions, including: University of Danang, Nha Trang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, University of Science (Vietnam National University HCMC), International University (VNU-HCMC), University of Information Technology (VNU-HCMC), An Giang University, Saigon International University, Dong A University, HCMC University of Technology and Education, Hong Bang International University, Lac Hong University, Nong Lam University, Vietnamese-German University, and Can Tho University.

The delegation of U.S. universities included: Colorado State University, Duke University, North Carolina A&T State University, Ohio University, Oklahoma State University, Orange Coast College, Oregon State University, Rutgers University, Stanford University, The University of Tulsa, Towson University, University of Alabama, University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Vermont, University of Wyoming, and Washington University in St. Louis.

During the event, university representatives from both countries discussed strategic visions, partnership opportunities, and the implementation of joint training programs, collaborative research, and student and faculty exchange initiatives. Experts in international education shared insights and experience to help Vietnamese institutions plan and manage more effective global partnerships.

Cao Quang Tu, Director of Admissions at Saigon International University, shared the university’s goal of expanding deep and sustainable collaborations with major American universities. "We aim to give our students access to a wide range of academic programs and cutting-edge knowledge, while also creating opportunities for them to explore the global job market," he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Khac Cuong, Vice Rector of Hong Bang International University, emphasized the school’s commitment to developing practical, long-term cooperation models with U.S. institutions, particularly in high-quality human resource training and applied research.

Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at MOET, pointed out that quality remains one of the major challenges for higher education in Vietnam.

Mr. Dung expressed hope that the program would not only foster internationalization within Vietnamese universities but also improve educational quality, governance efficiency, and institutional leadership capacity. He affirmed that MOET is committed to listening to the concerns of educational institutions and working with relevant agencies to identify and implement effective solutions.

 
Le Huyen