Bournemouth University Vice-Chancellor: BUV Becomes Inaugural Transnational Education Partner Globally

Senior leaders from Bournemouth University (UK) have recently paid a high-level visit to British University Vietnam, agreeing to expand academic collaboration and enhance student mobility.    

During the visit to Vietnam, Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, held in-depth discussions and working sessions at BUV. The visit took place as BUV officially became Bournemouth University’s inaugural transnational education (TNE) partner globally.

Professor Honour was accompanied by Mr AbouBakr Fathalla, Dean of Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Bournemouth University. The delegation was welcomed by Professor Raymond Gordon, Vice-Chancellor and President of BUV, together with members of the University’s senior leadership team.

Professor Alison Honour (4^th from left) during her visit with BUV’s senior leadership.

Strengthening UK-Vietnam Higher Education Collaboration

A key highlight of the visit was a high-level meeting involving leaders from both universities and H.E. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam, alongside representatives from the UK Department for Trade and Investment and the British Council.

At the meeting, the Vice-Chancellors of Bournemouth University and BUV formally signed an agreement to further develop their partnership. The agreement focuses on enhancing student mobility, exploring opportunities for new programme development, and strengthening connections between academic staff and alumni networks at both institutions.

The agreement underscores the shared commitment of Bournemouth University and BUV to delivering high-quality undergraduate programmes and strengthening cooperation in alignment with Vietnam’s national strategic priorities. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ambassador Iain Frew and Mr James Shipton, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam.

The Vice-Chancellors of Bournemouth University and BUV sign an agreement to expand collaboration, witnessed by the British Ambassador and the British Council’s Country Director.

This engagement reflects the strong momentum of the UK-Vietnam higher education partnership and highlights the two universities’ dedication to expanding high-quality transnational education opportunities for Vietnamese students.

Emphasising Practical Learning and Graduate Employability

Speaking about the partnership, Professor Alison Honour described BUV as a valued partner with a strong reputation for educational quality. She noted that the two institutions share common values, particularly in their focus on student experience, academic excellence and graduate outcomes.

Professor Alison Honour meets with students from Bournemouth University’s Tourism and Events Management programmes at BUV.

Professor Honour emphasised that in disciplines such as tourism management and events management, learning cannot take place solely in the classroom. Participation in live projects, work placements and internships, alongside close collaboration with industry partners, plays a vital role in developing students’ professional skills, real-world experience and confidence as they prepare for employment.

“It is essential that curricula are designed in partnership with industry, ensuring that what we teach is relevant, current and aligned with employers’ needs. Alongside technical and professional knowledge, students must also develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability and the ability to think on their feet in less predictable situations,” she said.

According to Professor Honour, the close integration of teaching and research ensures that academic staff and students remain at the forefront of developments in their fields, further enhancing both academic quality and real-world relevance.

Bournemouth University leaders exchange gifts with BUV faculty and students.

Expanding International Learning Opportunities

Currently, Bournemouth University awards degrees in Tourism Management and Events Management delivered at BUV. These programmes represent key areas of expertise for Bournemouth University, which was ranked among the world’s top 5 institutions for Hospitality and Leisure Management in the Shanghai Rankings 2024.

Bournemouth University is also among the world’s top 6 business schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and was ranked within the global top 100 universities and top 3 in the UK in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2024.

These achievements further reinforce the academic quality and international standing of Bournemouth University programmes delivered at BUV, offering Vietnamese students access to UK higher education closely connected to global industry practice.

During her visit, Professor Honour toured the BUV campus and met with students, expressing her appreciation for the University’s modern facilities, open learning environment and vibrant campus life.

Professor Alison Honour tours the BUV campus with students.

She noted that the transnational education partnership between Bournemouth University and BUV creates significant opportunities for student exchanges, collaborative projects and shared learning experiences. Looking ahead, both institutions aim to expand exchange programmes, enabling BUV students to study in Bournemouth and UK students to experience learning in Vietnam, fostering mutual understanding and long-term academic collaboration.