India-Vietnam Education Conference 2019

Attending the workshop were Mr. Parvathaneni Harish (Indian Ambassador to Vietnam); Mr. Rajiv Bodwade (First Secretary of the Indian Embassy in Vietnam); Mr. Ha Minh Hue (former Member of Parliament, Vice President of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association), and Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

India boasts a highly advanced higher education system with a network of over 800 universities. Indian higher education institutions offer a wide variety of high-quality, competitive courses at only one-quarter the cost of other countries. This is coupled with a non-discriminatory learning environment, professionally trained faculty fluent in English, internationally accredited programs, and flexible transfer options. Every year, thousands of Vietnamese students seek university courses in India, particularly in management and information technology. Following the success of the India Study Abroad Seminar in March 2018, the India-Vietnam Education Seminar 2019 was organized with the aim of creating opportunities for interaction with leading educational institutions and providing information about the Indian education system. This ultimately aims to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the conference, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish emphasized the importance of education to a country's socio-economic development. For countries with young populations like Vietnam and India (with over two-thirds of the population under 35 years old), the need to promote education is even more crucial. Education serves as a passport to help young people enter their future careers. India has clearly recognized this through its educational system reforms over the past two decades, becoming a leading center in Asia.

Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish speaks at the conference.

For Vietnam-India relations, educational cooperation is also of great significance to bilateral relations. This has been highlighted by leaders of both countries during high-level visits, such as the visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Vietnam last November. Every year, through various programs such as the International Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), the General Scholarship Scheme for Culture (GCSS), and the Educational Exchange Programme (EEP), the Indian government provides hundreds of scholarships for Vietnamese students. Vietnamese students studying in India have returned and made practical contributions to their country. With this spirit, Mr. Parvathaneni Harish hopes that through the India-Vietnam Education Conference 2019, Vietnamese students will not only find scholarship opportunities but also actively network and connect with representatives from Indian universities.

On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Pham Quang Minh highly appreciated the development of educational cooperation between Vietnam and India since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. During this process, the University, specifically the Department of Indian Studies (Faculty of Oriental Studies), has contributed significantly through its cooperation with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam. Established in 2004, the Department has trained over 200 undergraduates and supervised 18 postgraduate students in writing theses and dissertations on India. The Department has sent 107 undergraduate students to study in India and receives 30 Indian undergraduate and postgraduate students for exchange programs annually. In addition, the Department, together with the Indian Embassy, ​​organizes talks with Indian writers and scholars, musical and artistic performances, seminars, and film screenings.

Professor Pham Quang Minh delivered a speech at the conference.

In terms of research, the Department has many international projects and research topics with Indian institutions, such as the Research Cooperation Program on the Influence of Indian Culture in Southeast Asia, the Research Cooperation Program on Buddhism and Hinduism in Vietnam, and the Research Program on Vietnam-India Relations over the past 45 years. The Department has also published many in-depth research books on India, such as...The issue of localizing the Indian epic Ramayana in some Southeast Asian countries.(Culture and Information Publishing House)Indian Literature Textbook(Vietnam National University, Hanoi Publishing House)Indian Customs and Traditions Textbook(Vietnam National University, Hanoi Publishing House). Based on these achievements, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will continue to work alongside the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, as well as the people and government of India in general, to promote bilateral cultural and educational exchanges.

Mr. Ha Minh Hue speaks at the conference. 

On behalf of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, Mr. Ha Minh Hue shared his thoughts and feelings as a former student who had studied in India. As the first Vietnamese journalist to receive training in New Delhi, India for nine months in 1979, he expressed confidence in one of the world's leading and Asia's most advanced education systems. He noted that a key advantage of Indian universities is the availability of many programs taught in English, providing convenience for international students. Mr. Ha Minh Hue also expressed optimism about the future of Vietnam-India educational relations and encouraged the Indian Embassy in Vietnam to organize more seminars and exhibitions showcasing the potential and innovative technologies of India's higher education system.

Professor P. Manoj giving a presentation at the conference.

Rajiv Bodwade gave a presentation at the conference.

Also at the seminar, attendees listened to two presentations: "India: An Educational Destination" by Professor P. Manoj (Head of Amrita Business School, Amrita Institute Vishwa Vidyapeetham) and "Education in India" by Mr. Rajiv Bodwade (First Secretary of the Indian Embassy in Vietnam). The presentations introduced educational philosophies; the quality of research and training at prominent Indian universities; typical fields and specializations; experiences in applying for scholarships, studying, living, and working in India; as well as some exemplary former Vietnamese students.