As per a recent report by the British Council, there are some significant highlights concerning international students and Vietnamese higher education institutions in these decisions.
Vietnam aims to increase the proportion of international students in the country to 1.5% (currently 0.5%) and raise the number of Vietnamese universities in the global top 500 rankings (currently none) and the top 200 of Asian ranking systems (currently four).
It also seeks to ensure that over 20% of joint training programs in Vietnam are offered by overseas partners ranked among the top 500 universities.
The Vietnamese government wants to establish several strategies to develop education, science, research, and innovation in the country by 2030 with a vision to 2045.
Titled ‘Resolution 57-NQ/TW,’ this strategy outlines several key goals, including raising investment in research and development to 2% of GDP, enhancing the integration between research and training, achieving a 10% annual increase in international publications, and boosting translation output by 8-10% annually.
The priority research areas include artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, semiconductors, quantum technology, nanotechnology, 5G and 6G mobile communications, satellite technology, and other emerging technologies.
Another initiative titled ‘Decision 1705/QĐ-Ttg’ focuses on building education development strategies by 2030, while ‘Decision 1600/QD-Ttg’ looks at international integration in education and training.
Additional goals include having over 80% of higher education institutions engage in joint research or collaboration projects with international partners, accrediting more than 20% of Vietnamese training programs through prestigious overseas bodies, and attracting two new branch campuses of the top 500 global universities to Vietnam.
A long-term goal is establishing English as the second language within the education system.
Moreover, a recent report commissioned by the British Council found that Vietnam may emerge as a central education hub in Southeast Asia, similar to Singapore and Malaysia.
With Vietnam already being a key study destination for students from Laos, Cambodia, and China, the report conducted a comprehensive review of international engagement in the country.
Vietnam’s aim to facilitate international student recruitment and transnational education opportunities comes at a time when the country has earned itself a reputation as a major source market in the region.
According to Acumen, Vietnam represents 37% of the Southeast Asian market, ahead of Malaysia (16%), Indonesia (16%), and Thailand (9%).
Approximately 140,000 Vietnamese students are pursuing higher education abroad, with many others enrolled in sub-degree programs and language studies.
