UNE set to expand Vietnam links

December 07, 2006

A distinguished University of New England graduate and University Medallist of 1997 returned to Armidale this week as Deputy Director of the Institute of Human Studies in Hanoi. Discussions included the potential for UNE in a burgeoning Vietnamese higher education sector.

Dr Tranh Nghi Pham received an AusAID scholarship in 1995 to study for UNE’s highly regarded Master of Educational Administration degree, and was impressed by the supportive UNE academic community and Australian culture. He later persuaded the University to offer the course in Vietnam and initiated negotiations with UNE’s Vietnamese partners.

He said Vietnam’s rapidly developing economy provided many opportunities for higher education providers, particularly as English became more popular. “There is already a certain level of English that may be improved, and new higher education services in regional areas will encourage that,” he added. UNE’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development and International), Professor Robin Pollard, agreed that UNE’s English Training Centre was well placed to capitalise on this growing demand.

Creating an environment for increased UNE involvement is Vietnam’s strengthening economy and regional presence; it recently joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and last month hosted an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference. Economic growth exceeding eight per cent is creating an immense demand for technical knowledge at a tertiary level, and UNE is well positioned to be a major player thanks to proactive planning by UNE administrators.

A catalyst for both economic development and the ensuing demand for qualified people has been the major shift in Vietnamese culture in recent years – from shared management and responsibility, to individual responsibility and the accountability of a Western-style market economy.

UNE’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew, recently returned from Vietnam after signing a 10-year agreement with the highly-regarded Vietnam National University (VNU) and officiating at two graduations: presenting 29 degrees at Hanoi and 22 at Ho Chi Minh City. “There are wonderful opportunities for UNE to work with our Vietnamese colleagues in a range of academic areas,” Professor Pettigrew said. “There is much for both sides to gain from effective partnerships.”

Dr Nghi will return to Hanoi next week hopeful of forming a UNE Alumni Chapter, and feels there are many opportunities for UNE to expand its operations in Vietnam. “There were 20 Vietnamese students on AusAID-funded scholarships while I was at UNE in the nineties,” he said, “and economic development is increasing demand for both local university study and world- class degrees offered overseas at universities like UNE.”

“Vietnamese students who travel to Australia to study at UNE will have no trouble settling in,” he said. “What I liked most about UNE was the ease of contact with lecturers. Many became good friends and really helped me adjust to my new Australian home. I also made good friends while studying and living in UNE’s Wright Village. During the holidays we went cotton chipping at Moree and, as well as earning good money, enjoyed learning Australian culture from the locals. Australians are interested in learning about Vietnam and I quickly made good friends.”

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows (from left) Professor Robin Pollard, Dr Tranh Nghi Pham, and UNE's Emeritus Professor Grant Harman.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at December 7, 2006 05:35 PM