British University Vietnam, City St George’s University – University of London, and CEFALT signed a strategic education cooperation agreement

This is a significant step forward, marking the presence of UK education in Ho Chi Minh City and contributing to the realisation of the goal of establishing a British university in the city. It aims to meet the growing demand for quality education from the public and contribute to the development of Ho Chi Minh City. 

On 16th September, at the Headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, British University Vietnam (BUV) and City St George’s University – University of London (UOL), in partnership with the Centre for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training (CEFALT), officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement marks a new chapter in educational cooperation and aims to enhance the quality of international education for a diverse range of learners in Vietnam and internationally.  

British University Vietnam (BUV) and City St George’s University—University of London (UOL), in partnership with the Centre for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training (CEFALT), established a strategic partnership. 

The signing ceremony was signed as Rector of City, University of London by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli – The Lord Mayor of the City of London; Professor Rick Bennett – Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV; and Mr. Mai Anh Thai – Director of CEFALT, witnessed by Mr. Vo Van Hoan – Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, Ms. Alexandra Smith – British Consul General in HCMC, Dr. Sionade Robinson – Vice President of Enterprise, Engagement & Employability of City St. George’s University – UOL.  

Extensive Collaboration on Key Focal Points 

According to the agreement, the three institutions will collaborate extensively on several key areas from 2024 to 2029. 

The first focus area is establishing and offering international collaborative training opportunities. This will bridge learners with high-quality international education and diversify learning options. 

The three institutions will also attract funding for research to enhance capabilities, foster scientific innovation, and develop socially impactful initiatives. 

The third area of focus is strengthening the strategic partnership, particularly between BUV and City St. George’s University – UOL. This reinforced alliance is set to open further extensive collaboration prospects, provide another quality education link between the two countries. 

Collaborative online international learning represents the fourth key area, aiming to enhance remote learning capabilities and improve access to international educational content for diverse learner groups. 

Student exchange programmes constitute the fifth focus area. This includes short-term study exchanges that will help students develop skills, broaden their perspectives, and engage in cultural exchange. 

Last but not least, the institutions will collaborate in terms of progression and articulation, thus facilitating student transfer and completion of studies across the network, thereby diversifying educational options and enhancing quality. 

Recognising education as one of the key pillars in bilateral cooperation, Mr. Vo Van Hoan – Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee highlighted that such agreements lay the foundation for schools and centres to exchange expertise and knowledge, as well as facilitate student and teacher exchanges, alongside broader international cooperation. 

Mr. Vo Van Hoan – Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee gave a speech at the ceremony.  

“I believe we should further expand the collaboration between educational institutions based on this foundation. We could establish a British university focusing on programmes such as Technology and Finance, alongside other international universities in HCMC like Australia, France, Germany, etc., to enhance the international mobility of Vietnamese students”, Mr. Vo Van Hoan said.  

Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, The Lord Mayor of the City of London highlighted the multilateral strategic partnership.  

Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, The Lord Mayor of the City of London, said: “I was delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding as Rector of City, University London. This partnership marks not only the strength of the relationship between the UK and Vietnam, but the ambition to further extend our collaboration into research, academia, financial services and business. My mayoral theme, Connect to Prosper, celebrates the ‘knowledge miles’ within the City of London as a key feature in our centuries-long success. I’m excited about how our Knowledge Miles and connections will extend past the Square Mile into Ho Chi Minh City.” 

Ms. Alexandra Smith, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasised the shared ambitions. 

In support of such a vision, Ms. Alexandra Smith, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City emphasised: “I strongly believe that today’s MOU signing is just the beginning of further conversations between the HCMC People’s Committee, BUV, and ourselves at the British Consulate General, where we can discuss more about our ambitions and how we will need to work together to lay the groundwork for the establishment of that campus in the future.” 

Multilateral Strategic Partnership 

Commenting on the joint agreements, Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, stated: “This strategic partnership marks a significant stride in our multilateral cooperation, aimed at enhancing value for all students and faculty within BUV’s network. By strengthening our ties with prestigious partners – City St George’s University – UOL, and CEFALT – we reaffirm our commitment to providing students with high-quality, accessible, and lifelong international learning experiences. Going beyond mere academic exchange, this represents our shared vision for the future of education – one that is globally connected, locally relevant, and continuously evolving”. 

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, reaffirmed their commitment to the future of education.  

Mr. Mai Anh Thai, Director of CEFALT, said: “Today’s signing ceremony holds significant meaning for the educational and training activities of all parties involved. It paves the way for future joint initiatives that will bring British education closer to the people of the city and the southern provinces. This collaboration contributes to fostering educational cooperation and mutual understanding between the UK and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, as well as between the UK and Vietnam more broadly.” 

Mr. Mai Anh Thai, Director of CEFALT highlighted the importance of this partnership.  

Dr. Sionade Robinson, Vice President of Enterprise, Engagement & Employability at City St George’s University – University of London, said: “We are delighted to be signing an MoU with BUV as the leading British Higher Education institution in Vietnam, as witnessed by accreditation through the QAA and recognised as being of international standard by the Vietnamese Government. BUV shares our ambition to not only bring world-class knowledge and education to our students but also the skills that are needed by employers to succeed in today’s global economy.” 

Dr. Sionade Robinson, Vice President of Enterprise, Engagement & Employability at City St George’s University – University of London in the ceremony.  

Prior to this, BUV and CEFALT collaborated to jointly enhance the quality of foreign language education and foster a lifelong learning culture in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces. 

For the UOL, it stands as BUV’s long-standing awarding body for undergraduate programmes, including Finance, Accounting & Finance, Business & Management, and Economics & Management. Furthermore, BUV is the exclusive provider of the UOL’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Vietnam. BUV is currently one of the few UOL’s Recognised Teaching Centres to be granted the Quality Certification Award. 

Building on this foundation, the areas of cooperation not only enhance opportunities for HCMC residents to access high-quality education but also reaffirm the commitment of all parties to bring British education closer to learners both within and outside of Vietnam. This is a significant step forward, marking the presence of UK education in Ho Chi Minh City and contributing to the realisation of the goal of establishing a British university in the city. It aims to meet the growing demand for quality education from the public and contribute to the development of Ho Chi Minh City.