Reflecting their shared commitment to internationalisation, research excellence and global engagement, the National Economics University (NEU), Vietnam, and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), United Kingdom, celebrated fifteen years of partnership through the international conference “Global Innovation, Digital Futures and Sustainability”, held on 22 July 2026 at Bristol Business School, Bristol, UK. The anniversary marked not only a milestone in a long-standing collaboration but also the evolution of a successful transnational education partnership into a broader ecosystem of research, innovation and institutional cooperation.

Leader of NEU and UWE Bristol, and conference delegates conference delegates mark the 15th anniversary of the NEU–UWE Bristol partnership

Attending the conference, from the University of the West of England were: Prof. Darren Reynolds – Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange. From the National Economics University were: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President; Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh – Dean, International School of Management and Economics. External delegates included: Dr. Dao Thi Hong – First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom; along with scientists, lecturers, and experts from various universities and research organizations in Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

Celebrating Fifteen Years of Shared Achievement

Prof. Darren Reynolds – Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England presents gifts and commemorative plaques to the leadership of the National Economics University

Held at Bristol Business School, the anniversary conference brought together university leaders, researchers, policymakers and academics from both countries to celebrate the partnership’s achievements while exploring new opportunities for future collaboration.
Representing UWE Bristol was Professor Darren Reynolds, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange. The NEU delegation included Professor Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Professor To Trung Thanh, Vice President; Associate Professor Le Trung Thanh, Director of the Institute for International Education (ISME) and Dr Pham Sy Long, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department. The conference also welcomed Dr Dao Thi Hong, First Secretary of the Embassy of Viet Nam in the United Kingdom, together with scholars and experts from universities and research organisations across Vietnam and the UK.
In his opening remarks, Professor Darren Reynolds described the partnership with NEU as one of UWE Bristol’s most valued and enduring international collaborations. Looking beyond the anniversary, he emphasised the importance of further strengthening cooperation in joint research, academic mobility, doctoral education and knowledge exchange.
His remarks reflected a shared conviction that successful international partnerships are built not simply through agreements, but through sustained trust, shared academic values and a long-term institutional vision.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the National Economics University speaks

The partnership has generated significant educational outcomes over the past fifteen years.
Together, NEU and UWE Bristol have educated more than 1,180 graduates, including 1,089 bachelor’s graduates and 91 master’s graduates, while nearly 600 students are currently enrolled in joint programmes offered by the two universities.
For NEU, however, these achievements extend beyond enrolment figures or graduation statistics. As Professor Nguyen Thanh Hieu observed,
“Behind every number is a story of personal growth, international experience and meaningful contributions to society.”

His remarks highlighted a broader educational philosophy: international education is not solely about earning degrees abroad or participating in exchange programmes; it is about nurturing graduates with global perspectives, intercultural competence and the capacity to contribute responsibly to an increasingly interconnected world.

Strengthening Vietnam–UK Higher Education Cooperation

Overview of the Conference

The conference also highlighted the wider significance of higher education in strengthening relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
Addressing the conference, Dr Dao Thi Hong, First Secretary of the Embassy of Viet Nam in the United Kingdom, recognised the NEU–UWE Bristol partnership as a successful model of long-term educational cooperation between the two countries.

Dr Dao Thi Hong, First Secretary of the Embassy of Viet Nam in the United Kingdom, addresses the conference

She noted that, as the Vietnam–UK Strategic Partnership continues to expand, higher education, science, technology and innovation are becoming increasingly important pillars of bilateral collaboration. She also reaffirmed the Embassy’s continued support for initiatives promoting postgraduate education, research collaboration and academic exchange between universities in both countries.

ISME – From Programme Management to Strategic Internationalisation

If 15 years of educational cooperation between the National Economics University and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is evidence of substantial collaborative results, then the insights shared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh – Dean, International School of Management and Economics (ISME) have broadened the perspective on the strategy of internationalizing higher education in the new context. From the practical implementation of Decision No. 1600/QD-TTg and the spirit of autonomy according to the amended Higher Education Law of 2018, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh believes that for internationalization to develop in depth, higher education institutions need to continue enhancing quality accreditation, promoting international research, building flexible financial mechanisms, and gradually elevating their position on the global education map.

Associate Professor Le Trung Thanh, Director of NEU’s International School of Management and Economics, shares his perspectives at the conference

Based on this, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh proposed transforming the international collaboration department from an administrative support role to a “strategic center,” closely linked with quality assurance, academic research management, and resource development. Additionally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh recommended that educational institutions promptly develop a comprehensive internationalization strategy, complete mechanisms to encourage faculty members to participate in long-term international research, and strengthen academic cooperation with foreign partners. Choosing the conference on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of cooperation between NEU and UWE Bristol to announce research not only affirms the role of the Institute of International Education in promoting NEU’s international collaboration programs but also contributes to suggesting development directions for the next phase of cooperation.

A Conference that Embodied Internationalisation

The conference itself served as a practical demonstration of the values underpinning internationalisation.
More than 100 research papers were submitted by scholars from NEU, UWE Bristol and partner institutions. Following peer review, 28 papers were selected for presentation across five thematic tracks covering sustainable economic development, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, supply chains and circular economy, people and sustainable workplaces, and international education and innovation.

Parallel Session at the Conference

Complementing the academic sessions, the programme featured a postgraduate research poster exhibition showcasing 14 student research projects, alongside a plenary discussion on global innovation.

NEU’s Board of Management and Authors of Presentations at the Conference

The breadth of participation reflected a growing consensus among universities worldwide: addressing today’s complex societal challenges requires collaborative research that crosses disciplinary, institutional and national boundaries. In this context, international research partnerships are no longer supplementary activities but essential mechanisms for generating knowledge, advancing innovation and creating meaningful global impact.

Looking Ahead: Towards the Next Chapter of Partnership

In the closing session, Professor To Trung Thanh and Professor Darren Reynolds reaffirmed that the achievements of the past fifteen years represent not the culmination of a successful partnership, but the foundation for an even more ambitious future.
Both universities expressed their commitment to expanding collaboration in research, doctoral education, innovation and interdisciplinary academic exchange, particularly in areas aligned with global priorities such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability and green finance.
The journey from transnational education to a strategic research partnership demonstrates how international collaboration can evolve when built upon mutual trust, shared values and a long-term institutional vision.
As NEU continues to advance its internationalisation strategy, the partnership with UWE Bristol stands as a compelling example of how universities can jointly create knowledge, nurture globally competent graduates and contribute to sustainable development through international academic cooperation.

Professor To Trung Thanh, NEU Vice President, delivers the closing remarks, reflecting on the achievements of the NEU–UWE Bristol partnership and its future directions.

Entering its next chapter, the NEU–UWE Bristol partnership is well positioned not only to advance the strategic ambitions of both universities but also to strengthen higher education cooperation between Vietnam and the United Kingdom—creating lasting value for learners, researchers, institutions and society.

Some Images from the Conference:

Prof. Wendy Phillips representing the University of the West of England speaking

IMD Master’s students presenting research posters in the conference hall, attracting interest and discussion from international delegates

Plenary Session: “Global Innovation and the Digital Future in a Changing World”

Awarding Certificates to IMD Master’s Students Participating in the Research Exhibition Session at the Conference

Article and Photos: International School of Management and Economics and Communication Department