BUV and University of Stirling Strengthen Partnership and Explore New Collaborative Programmes

The first official visit of Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of Stirling marked a key moment in strengthening the partnership between the two institutions and paved the way for new collaborative opportunities, including the expansion of academic programmes and joint research projects, while reinforcing the commitment to delivering high-quality British education in Vietnam.  

On September 30, 2024, British University Vietnam (BUV) welcomed a significant milestone in its international collaborations as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac made his first official visit to the BUV campus. The visit marks a deepening of the strategic partnership between the two universities, built on a foundation of delivering high-quality UK education to Vietnamese students. The visit focused not only on showcasing BUV’s state-of-the-art facilities but also on exploring future collaborative programmes that aim to be launched in 2025. 

The delegation, led by Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac – Principal and Vice-Chancellor and other representatives from University of Stirling, included Ms. Jennifer Harrison, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, and Recruitment; Dr. Lee Zhuang, Executive Director of Internationalisation and Partnerships; and Dr. Mario Kolberg, Partnership Director for the university’s operations in RAK. Together with BUV leadership team led by Mr. Chris Jeffery – Pro Vice Chancellor (International, Strategy & Engagement), the two delegations engaged in a series of discussions on future academic offerings and the ways forward for strengthening the partnership. 

Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University (fourth from the right) making his first official visit to BUV, hosted by Mr. Chris Jeffery – Pro-Vice Chancellor, BUV (third from the left) and Assoc. Professor Jason MacVaugh, Dean (Higher Education), BUV (second from the right) 

Strengthening the Strategic Partnership for Future Growth 

Since 2023, BUV and the University of Stirling have fostered a strategic partnership, grounded in their shared mission to deliver high-quality education and encourage innovation in Vietnam. Stirling stands as one of BUV’s prominent awarding bodies, offering authentic British degree for the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Programme at BUV. 

Building on this foundation, discussions during the visit centred on the introduction of new collaborative programmes, slated for launch in 2025. The expansion of academic offerings is expected to significantly enhance the opportunities available to Vietnamese students, equipping them with the cutting-edge skills needed to thrive in high-demand industries. This move underscores the commitment of both institutions to staying ahead of educational trends and preparing graduates for future challenges in an increasingly competitive world. 

The representatives of University of Stirling and BUV discussing about future collaborations 

As part of the visit, Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac also participated in a session with students from the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Programme. Welcoming the inaugural cohort, he introduced the students to Stirling’s legacy of excellence in these cutting-edge fields and shared insights into the programme’s strategic importance. Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac stated, “It’s incredibly important to us that the student experience at BUV mirrors the experience we offer at our home campus in Stirling, UK. As we developed this partnership, ensuring the quality of the degrees, qualifications, and student experience at BUV met our high standards was absolutely key.” 

In addition to expanding academic programmes, both universities expressed a strong commitment to deepening their collaboration through joint activities and brand alignment. As part of this strengthened partnership, BUV will become the University of Stirling’s official home in Vietnam, serving as a central hub for University of Stirling’s academic initiatives and outreach in the region. This enhanced collaboration will not only elevate BUV’s profile as a leader in international education but also position Stirling as a key player in Vietnam’s educational landscape. 

A Comprehensive Learning Experience for Vietnamese Students 

The Stirling-BUV partnership offers Vietnamese students a well-rounded learning experience that combines rigorous academic training with practical, real-world applications. With Stirling’s strong industry connections and BUV’s hands-on approach to education, students gain valuable theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills that are highly sought after by employers.  

Prof. Sir Gerry McCormac expressed optimism about the partnership’s future, emphasizing the importance of expanding academic programmes that equip students with the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.   

He remarked, “At the University of Stirling, we have a clear objective to internationalise, but we are very selective in choosing our partners. BUV is one of the institutions that ensures the programmes we offer here meet the same high standards as those at our home campus in Stirling. I’m excited to see how the relationship between the University of Stirling and BUV will continue to grow in the years ahead.”