Strengthening Transnational Education Partnerships between Queensland and Vietnam

Highlights from the Queensland Transnational Education Conference 2023

10 March 2023 I The Queensland Institute

*Representatives from Vietnam and Queensland education institutions gather in Ho Chi Minh City.*

On March 2, 2023, representatives from renowned educational institutions in Vietnam and Queensland gathered at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City for the inaugural Queensland Transnational Education Conference. Hosted by Trade and Investment Queensland and Study Queensland, the event aimed to promote transnational education cooperation between Australia and Vietnam and strengthen partnerships in research, education, and training.

The conference highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the education sector and provided a welcome opportunity for Queensland institutions to showcase their expertise and offerings in Vietnam, furthering their reach and impact. The Honourable Stirling Hinchcliffe, Queensland’s Minister for International Education and Training, emphasized the Queensland Government's commitment to supporting international education and training institutions in establishing and strengthening partnerships in Vietnam in his opening remarks.

*Panelists discuss the outlook for international research and training partnerships for Queensland and Vietnam.*

Ms Bryony Hilless, Executive Director of Study Queensland, Ms Jen Bahen, Counselor Education and Research to Vietnam and Thailand at the Australian Embassy, and Dr Bui Thi Hong Hanh, Director of External Relations and Project Development at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, discussed the positive outlook for international research and training partnerships for Queensland and Vietnam in a panel discussion.

The event also provided opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of training programs provided by Australian schools, universities, training colleges, and vocational education institutions. Several memoranda of understanding between institutions in Vietnam and Queensland were acknowledged at the event, indicating a strong commitment to transnational partnerships.

*Ms Fiona Wiebusch (centre) joins Mr Pham Bach Duong (centre left) and esteemed colleagues from HCMC University of Technology and Education.*

Ms Fiona Wiebusch, Co-Founder and Director of Teacher Development at The Queensland Institute, expressed her pleasure at attending the event, sharing,

”At QI, we really enjoy working with schools and universities in Vietnam to advance English language learning goals through teacher training projects. It was a personal highlight for me to reconnect with a dear course participant from the Train the Trainer - Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) program, Mr. Pham Bach Duong, and hear about the great work he and his colleagues have continued since 2016.”

The Queensland Transnational Education Conference 2023 provided a platform for professional dialogue to enhance international partnerships and advance transnational education. By fostering these partnerships, knowledge and skills can be shared between countries, ultimately benefiting students and educators in Queensland and Vietnam.