Signed on 31 August 2022, the Agreement provides for the two universities to collaborate on teaching a Bachelor of Arts degree in TESOL. The Agreement expands the relationship between the two universities that started in 2014 when the institutions signed an agreement to offer students in Vietnam a pathway into Victoria University of Wellington’s Master of TESOL.
Under the new Agreement, students will spend the first year of their degree at HCMCUE, and then transfer to Wellington where they will spend their next four trimesters. The students will return to Vietnam for their teaching practicum before being awarded with a Victoria University of Wellington degree. Enabling international students to study part (or all) of the Victoria University of Wellington programme in their own country is a hallmark of the University’s transnational pivot which aims to provide more choice to international cohorts, supports the internationalisation efforts of both university partners and helps raise the profile of Victoria University of Wellington in Vietnam.
Victoria University of Wellington’s offerings have an excellent reputation in Vietnam, with the University’s School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies (LALS) consistently rated in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings. In addition to this strengthening partnership with HCMCUE, Victoria University of Wellington also has TESOL collaborations in the centre of the country in Danang, and in the north in Hanoi.
Professor Sarah Leggott, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, sees this as an important development in the University’s relationship with HCMCUE. “I am delighted to see the internationally-renowned School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies building on the already significant connections with HCMCUE.
“The introduction of this new undergraduate programme is an exciting new development for both the School and for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Asia-Pacific.”
HCMCUE Vice President Dr. Bui Tran Quynh Ngoc is optimistic about the impact the partnership will have, saying that he is “delighted to see the long-standing partnership between HCMCUE and Victoria University of Wellington continue to grow. This initiative has truly extended our meaningful collaborations, and promises more new high quality graduates will make significant contributions to our communities.”
Vietnam has been a longstanding and valuable partner for Victoria University of Wellington, with transnational partnerships dating back to 2004. With borders re-opening and the University’s Vietnam-based Engagement Director Le Chi Nguyen anchoring the University’s in-country work programme, the country will remain a priority for partnership and recruitment efforts.
Vietnam is Aotearoa New Zealand’s fifth-largest market for international students, and one in which Victoria University of Wellington has invested significantly in its strategic partnerships and recruitment activities.