BUV to join with regional educators and scholars for collaborative advancement in global education

In a landmark international education forum gathering leading voices across Asia, British University Vietnam (BUV) reaffirmed its commitment to extending global partnerships and international student mobility, with accredited British education as the foundation.  

In the face of global shifts economically, socially, and educationally, international cooperation in higher education has never been more critical. The Asia Study Abroad Forum has been a key regional dialogue platform, bringing together educators, scholars, and representatives from universities, institutions, and academia to shape the future of cross-border learning. 

Professor Rick Bennett delivers a keynote speech at the Asia Study Abroad Forum 2025.

The Asia Study Abroad Forum 2025 gathered senior leaders and international education experts to explore cross-border collaboration and student mobility across Asia (photo from CSCSE Education).

This year’s theme “Quality, Trust, and Safety: Sustainable Development of Study Abroad Education” focused on new policies and trends in international student mobility. Key discussions addressed strategies for higher education internationalisation, post-pandemic student support, and innovative approaches to enhancing education quality and global collaboration. 

Representing BUV, the University’s senior leadership joined the forum alongside global counterparts to contribute insights from the British education system and Vietnam’s growing role in transnational education (TNE).  

As the first and only international university in Vietnam to award fully accredited British degrees delivered directly from the UK, BUV continues to focus on expanding international partnerships and improving access to high-quality education that reflects the needs of today’s students.  

At the Forum, Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, delivered a keynote speech outlining the university’s approach to building strong academic partnerships and creating practical opportunities for student mobility. 

Below is the full keynote speech delivered by Professor Rick Bennett at the forum: 

“As we gather here under the theme “Study in China, Study in the World,” we do so at a moment when the world is not only shifting, but reshaping itself—economically, socially, and educationally. 

Ironically, this talk is even more pertinent today than it was even just two weeks ago, and so looking positively, this conference has come at an amazingly apt time. 

Recent global events—from supply chain realignments to shifting geopolitical dynamics, have not only challenged the traditional flow of trade and investment, but also the movement of people, ideas, and learning. These changes have prompted us all to think differently about many aspects of our lives, including the way we approach education and mobility. 

In this changing landscape, international education is no longer just about moving students from one place to another. It’s about positioning ourselves – and our institutions – to meet the evolving needs of a global society. It’s about creating new pathways and new paradigms that are more inclusive, more stable, more sustainable, and more responsive to the realities of our time. 

Traditionally, international student mobility has often been centred around a few dominant destinations. But we are now seeing a growing appetite for alternative, emerging destinations – places that offer not only high-quality education but also affordability, safety, cultural richness, and growing career opportunities. 

China, and Asia more broadly, stand at the forefront of this transformation. We see emerging economies increasingly becoming hubs of innovation and talent development. We see new university options that are not only globally accredited for quality, but highly rated globally. 

We see more progressive education institutions offering students not just degrees, but life-changing experiences—rich with culture, career networks, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and deeply invested in inclusion, whether in terms of gender, nationality, or background. 

At the same time, the very notion of a “study tour” or “study abroad” experience is evolving quickly and encouraged widely. Cross-border learning today can take many forms: dual degrees, joint programmes, credit transfers, summer exchanges, and even virtual mobility. These new modes allow for greater flexibility, especially in times of uncertainty and disruption. 

Let me briefly introduce Vietnam as an example of how this shift is taking shape. In recent years, Vietnam has not only become a desired destination for investment, commerce and recreation, but also a growing destination for international students through being an active player in transnational education – hosting joint programmes, student exchanges, and new academic partnerships. 

Similar examples can be found all across Asia. 

But these successes do not happen by chance. They are the result of intentional policy-making, institutional collaboration, and a shared belief that education is not a commodity—it is a bridge. A bridge between nations, between economies, and most importantly, between people. 

As we look ahead, our task is not just to recover from the recent past, but to reimagine a new future. To explore new models that make study abroad more equitable, more accessible, and more relevant for the challenges facing today’s students. 

Let us use this forum not only to share our experiences and achievements, but also to ask ourselves the difficult questions: How do we ensure mutual benefit in international education? How do we protect and promote cultural diversity in the age of globalisation? And how do we work together—not in competition, but in cooperation—to shape the next chapter of global student mobility? 

I believe we are in the right place, with the right people, to begin answering those questions.”