Vietnam-China Higher Education Forum

Attending the forum were Mr. Peng Shiduan (Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vietnam), Mr. Li Xinli (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Global Education Group), and leaders of Chinese universities. On the Vietnamese side were Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), and Mr. Nguyen Van Tho (former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Vietnamese Ambassador to China).

Distinguished guests at the Vietnam-China Higher Education Forum

At this education forum, Vietnamese and Chinese education administrators and experts shared information on the state of cooperation in higher education between the two countries; created opportunities for networking and building collaborative content; and proposed solutions to promote bilateral cooperation between universities in the two countries.

In his opening remarks at the Vietnam-China Higher Education Forum, Professor Nguyen Van Kim shared the efforts of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) in its strategy of internationalizing research and training activities, aiming to continuously improve the quality of training, research, and university management, while contributing to supplementing the intellectual resources and creative scientific thinking of the region and humanity. Through this, the University wants to enhance understanding and strengthen the spirit of solidarity and friendship between the two countries. In this foreign relations strategy, Chinese universities are of paramount importance to USSH. Many of the University's educators and scientists, trained at Chinese universities, have made significant contributions to the education, training, and research of the University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Vietnam. On the other hand, from the former Hanoi University to the current USSH, the University has trained many Chinese students and trainees. Among them, many have become talented scientists, managers, and diplomats in China.

Professor Nguyen Van Kim, speaking at the Forum, highly appreciated the significance of this activity in promoting cooperative relations between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Chinese universities, and proposed specific directions for cooperation.

In addition to specialized training, the School and Chinese universities place great importance on cooperation in the training of Vietnamese and Chinese languages ​​and cultures. This forms the basis for promoting understanding of history and culture and developing comprehensive cooperative relations between the two countries.

Considering that the results achieved so far are not yet commensurate with the potential and strengths of both sides, Professor Nguyen Van Kim suggested that through this forum, experts from both countries should discuss the following issues: Firstly, how to further strengthen and promote the University's cooperation with traditional partners such as Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, etc.; and secondly, how to further expand relations with new partners in other provinces and regions of China. Secondly, in addition to strengthening cooperation in training, it is necessary to further promote cooperation in scientific research by jointly organizing seminars, workshops, and scientific forums, and implementing joint research projects. Thirdly, to further enhance the exchange of lecturers and students between the University and Chinese universities.

Overview of the event

Speaking on behalf of the co-organizing unit, Mr. Li Xinli (Chairman of Global Education Group), said: In February 2017, GES opened a representative office in Vietnam. Recognizing Vietnam's interest in international exchange activities for students and based on the increasingly strong educational cooperation between the two countries, GES has implemented many activities in Vietnam such as: supporting more than 200 Chinese students to study in Vietnam, dozens of Vietnamese students to study in China; connecting and organizing courses under the "Belt and Road Initiative". This China Higher Education Forum in Vietnam is expected to be an important event to help survey needs and create multi-layered, multi-faceted cooperation channels between universities in the two countries.

Mr. Li Xinli (Chairman of GES Global Education Group) shared the Group's achievements in promoting educational cooperation between Vietnam and China.

Looking at the depth of the political, cultural, and historical relationship between Vietnam and China, Professor Vu Minh Giang believes that the two countries share cultural similarities and are geographically and territorially close, sharing mountains and rivers. Therefore, throughout history, the two countries have had many opportunities to build friendly cooperative relations in various fields. However, to ensure truly sustainable development, cooperation in education and culture is fundamental and especially important. In that sense, the Vietnam-China Higher Education Forum is a commendable initiative.

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) originated from the University of Indochina, founded in 1906 – a university with a long academic tradition and a very high international standing from its inception. It has produced world-class scientists such as Dr. Louis Pasteur – the father of vaccines, and great Vietnamese revolutionaries such as General Secretary Truong Chinh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and revolutionary Nguyen Thai Hoc… VNU is also a place that many politicians and heads of state choose to visit. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited VNU in 2013.

Professor Vu Minh Giang proposed research and exchange on China's experience in opening up and reforming higher education.

Professor Vu Minh Giang proposed a specific topic for discussion at the Forum: research on China's experience in reforming higher education, aiming to elevate Chinese universities to the world's top ranks. However, on the path to international development, Vietnamese and Chinese universities need to rely on the essence of traditional Eastern culture combined with the advancements of Western education to reach the pinnacle while maintaining their unique identities. The potential for cooperation between Vietnam and China is immense, but it should begin with mutual understanding and exploration of the needs of the people of both countries. Based on this understanding, appropriate cooperation programs can then be developed that benefit both sides.

Providing information on the state of educational cooperation between Vietnam and China, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho (former Vietnamese Ambassador to China, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs) stated: China currently has 11,300 students studying in Vietnam. China is also a large educational market that Vietnamese students choose to study abroad in. Education and training is a fundamental area in the relationship between the two countries. It is an aspect of people-to-people exchanges, helping the younger generations of both countries to be open and understand each other. He hoped the forum would directly address practical exchanges such as: what universities in both countries will do, and what professional fields will they cooperate and exchange in that both sides need in the future.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho - former Vietnamese Ambassador to China, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Highly appreciating the significance of the event, Mr. Peng Shiduan (Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy) stated that the Forum helps realize the common understanding in the views of the two Parties and two states on the strategy of cooperation and development between Vietnam and China. Since the 1950s and 1960s, China has sent many students to Vietnam to study Vietnamese. The exchange between the two countries has a good history that needs to be inherited and promoted. Vietnam and China share many common points, such as: a shared cradle of Eastern culture, the people of both countries always value education and have a tradition of respecting teachers. Vietnam and China also aim to build universities of international stature. Educational exchanges between the two countries are increasingly developing, with more than 10,000 Vietnamese students in China and more than 1,000 Chinese students studying in Vietnam. Since 2017, the two countries have seen over 10 million people traveling between them in the fields of cultural exchange, education, and tourism. This represents enormous potential for development. Among these exchange activities, people-to-people exchanges should be strengthened; education should be a strategic and long-term area of ​​cooperation; and enhancing cultural understanding should be considered the foundation for building bridges of cooperation between the two nations.

Mr. Peng Shiduan - Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam

In the afternoon of the same day, a Chinese higher education exhibition was held at the Fortuna Hotel (Hanoi), featuring booths and information counters from Chinese universities. The universities introduced their academic programs, study conditions and opportunities, scholarships, and policies to young Vietnamese people.