Vietnamese Education Strategy Eyes Rise in International Students
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Loading... - Akemi Agawa
- 20 Jan 2025
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Vietnam is setting ambitious goals to enhance the quality of its higher education and research sectors through new internationalization strategies aimed at attracting more international students. According to a recent report by the British Council, these strategies are designed to position Vietnam as a competitive player in the global education landscape over the next few decades.
Key Goals of the Strategy
- Increase International Student Proportion: Vietnam aims to raise the proportion of international students in the country from the current 0.5% to 1.5%. This increase reflects a commitment to fostering a more diverse educational environment.
- Global University Rankings: The Vietnamese government seeks to have several universities ranked among the top 500 globally and within the top 200 in Asian ranking systems. Currently, no Vietnamese universities are in the global top 500, and only four are in the top 200 of Asian rankings.
- Joint Training Programs: The strategy includes ensuring that over 20% of joint training programs in Vietnam are offered in collaboration with overseas partners ranked among the top 500 universities.
- Investment in Research and Development: Under the strategy titled ‘Resolution 57-NQ/TW,’ Vietnam plans to increase investment in research and development to 2% of its GDP. This initiative aims to enhance the integration of research and training, achieve a 10% annual increase in international publications, and boost translation output by 8-10% annually.
- Priority Research Areas: The focus will be on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, semiconductors, quantum technology, nanotechnology, and advanced mobile communications (5G and 6G).
- International Collaboration: Additional initiatives, such as ‘Decision 1705/QĐ-Ttg’ and ‘Decision 1600/QD-Ttg,’ aim to build education development strategies and enhance international integration in education and training. Goals include having over 80% of higher education institutions engage in joint research or collaboration projects with international partners and accrediting more than 20% of Vietnamese training programs through prestigious overseas bodies.
- Attracting Global Universities: The strategy also aims to attract two new branch campuses of top 500 global universities to Vietnam, further enhancing the country's educational offerings.
- Establishing English as a Second Language: A long-term goal is to establish English as the second language within the education system, facilitating better communication and collaboration with international partners.
A recent report commissioned by the British Council suggests that Vietnam has the potential to emerge as a central education hub in Southeast Asia, akin to Singapore and Malaysia. With its growing reputation as a study destination, Vietnam is already popular among students from neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and China.
Vietnam represents 37% of the Southeast Asian market for international students, surpassing Malaysia (16%), Indonesia (16%), and Thailand (9%). Approximately 140,000 Vietnamese students are currently pursuing higher education abroad, with many others enrolled in sub-degree programs and language studies.
Vietnam's strategic focus on enhancing its higher education system and attracting international students reflects a commitment to becoming a key player in the global education market. By investing in research, fostering international collaborations, and improving the quality of its educational offerings, Vietnam aims to position itself as a leading destination for students in Southeast Asia and beyond. As these initiatives unfold, they hold the promise of transforming Vietnam into a vibrant educational hub that attracts talent from around the world.
