Top Vietnamese officials visit UQ

The University of Queensland has strengthened its ties to Vietnam after a recent visit by a delegation of senior Vietnamese officials.

The Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training, Professor Nguyen Minh Hien, and five delegates met senior University staff at the St Lucia campus on February 28.

As part of the proceedings, UQ signed a Business Cooperation Contract with the University of Danang, which aims to provide a firm basis for further collaborative projects and programs between the two institutions.

UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) Professor Trevor Grigg said UQ had been working with the University of Danang since January 2000 on a variety of projects.

“These include the enhancement of their library resource capacity, an English language training program for staff and improved academic research skills for staff as part of their doctoral studies,” Professor Grigg said.

He said UQ had also undertaken a wide range of research and development projects in Vietnam. They included areas such as agriculture and horticulture, veterinary science, health science, economics, and natural and rural systems management with Socialist Republic of Vietnam partners.

During the delegation’s visit, UQ announced English language training scholarships for staff of the Ministry of Education and Training and an additional English language training scholarship for the President of the University of Danang, Professor Phan Quang Xung.

Ten English for Academic Purposes scholarships were also announced for doctoral candidates holding Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training scholarships.

“This is the first time a Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training has come to Australia and I believe the visit will further enhance education and training cooperation between the two countries,” Professor Grigg said.

“The visit is particularly significant because it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australian and Vietnam.”

Other Vietnamese delegation officials who visited the campus included Tran Ba Viet Dzung and Pham Chi Cuong (Ministry of Education and Training), Professor Bui Cach Tuyen (Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry) and Nguyen Xuan Vang (Hanoi University of Foreign Studies).

Media: for further information, contact Andrew Everett at the International Education Directorate (telephone 07 3365 1978) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619).