On July 22, 2026, at the Bristol Business School (United Kingdom), the National Economics University (NEU) and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) jointly organized an international conference celebrating 15 years of partnership under the theme “Global Innovation, Digital Futures, and Sustainability.” The conference not only marked 15 years of solid collaboration between the two universities but also affirmed the internationalization direction that NEU, particularly the Institute of International Education, has steadfastly pursued over the years. Additionally, it served as an important academic forum, providing a platform for connecting scientists, experts, and international partners to promote knowledge exchange, expand research collaboration, and share solutions in the fields of innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

NEU’s Board of Management and conference delegates pose for a commemorative photo

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.

15 Years of Collaboration: The Numbers Speak Volumes

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

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Darren Reynolds – Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, representing the University of the West of England, affirmed that the 15-year partnership with the National Economics University is one of UWE Bristol’s most sustainable and meaningful international partnerships. According to Prof. Darren Reynolds, the conference was not only an opportunity for both universities to reflect on their achievements but also to identify future collaboration directions. Prof. Darren Reynolds expressed hope that both sides will continue to expand faculty and student exchanges, promote joint research projects, and implement doctoral programs, thereby deepening and enhancing the effectiveness of the partnership between the two universities.

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

Also at the conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the National Economics University affirmed that the collaboration between NEU and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) over the past 15 years has achieved substantial and sustainable results. To date, the two universities have trained over 1,180 undergraduate and graduate students through joint programs, including 1,089 undergraduates and 91 master’s students; currently, nearly 600 students are enrolled in collaborative programs between the two institutions. According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, these figures not only reflect the scale of the collaboration but also attest to the quality of education and the practical values the programs offer. “Behind each number is a story of student growth, international experiences, and tangible contributions to society,” Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu emphasized.

Affirming internationalization as a strategic orientation throughout the development process of the National Economics University (NEU), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu stated that the University will continue to expand and deepen its collaboration with UWE Bristol in the upcoming phase. The focus of the collaboration will be on areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation, logistics and supply chain management, green finance and sustainable business, innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, there will be efforts to promote joint international research projects and publications, doctoral training collaboration, faculty development, as well as enhancing student and faculty exchanges between the two institutions.

Perspective from the Embassy: Education as a Pillar of Vietnam-UK Relations

Overview of the Conference

Sharing at the conference, Dr. Dao Thi Hong – First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom, assessed the cooperation between the National Economics University and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) as one of the successful and sustainable educational cooperation models between Vietnam and the United Kingdom. Particularly in the context of the continuously strengthened and developed Strategic Partnership between the two countries, education, science, technology, and innovation are becoming key areas of cooperation, opening up numerous opportunities for connection and development for higher education institutions.

Dr. Dao Thi Hong – First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom speaking

Expressing expectations for the next phase of cooperation, Dr. Dao Thi Hong hopes that the National Economics University and UWE Bristol will continue to expand collaboration in postgraduate training, doctoral training, academic research, and innovation, while also enhancing faculty and student exchanges. Dr. Dao Thi Hong also affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom will continue to accompany and support cooperative initiatives between educational institutions of the two countries, contributing to promoting the Vietnam-UK educational cooperation relationship to develop more deeply, effectively, and sustainably.

ISME – The Core of NEU’s Internationalization Strategy

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.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh – Dean, International School of Management and Economics sharing 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.

The Conference as a Practice of Internationalization

Not only a forum for exchange among managers and experts, the Conference also attracted the participation of numerous lecturers and researchers from the National Economics University, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), and many educational institutions and partner organizations. Scientific reports were presented in five thematic subcommittees, focusing on issues of interest such as sustainable economic development, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains and circular economy, people – organization and sustainable workplaces, international education, and innovation. Additionally, the Conference featured a research exhibition by postgraduate students and a plenary discussion on global innovation.

Parallel Session at the Conference

The Organizing Committee received over 100 papers from scientists at NEU, UWE Bristol, and partner institutions. After peer review and expert evaluation, 28 outstanding reports were selected for direct presentation in specialized subcommittees, including 15 reports from NEU and 13 from UWE Bristol. Notably, the postgraduate research exhibition session introduced 14 posters, with participation from 12 students of the IMD International Master’s Program at NEU and 2 students from UWE Bristol. These figures reflect the scale and academic quality of the conference, as well as the increasingly substantive and extensive development of the collaboration between the National Economics University and the University of the West of England over 15 years of partnership.

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

Throughout the discussion sessions, delegates unanimously agreed that international research collaboration not only facilitates higher education institutions in addressing common challenges, fostering innovation, and enhancing research quality, but also contributes to leveraging each partner’s expertise, expanding academic networks, and increasing influence on the international stage. This is also the direction that the National Economics University is persistently pursuing in its internationalization strategy, using academic collaboration and research as crucial drivers to enhance the quality of education, academic research, and international integration.

Towards the Next Phase of Collaboration

Speaking at the closing session, Prof. Darren Reynolds – Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Vice President of the National Economics University, both affirmed that the achievements over the past 15 years serve as an important foundation for the two universities to continue developing their partnership in the new phase. Based on trust, companionship, and results verified in practice, both parties agreed to further expand cooperation in academic research, training, and academic exchange, aiming to build an increasingly profound, substantive, and sustainable partnership.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Vice President of the National Economics University speaking

Concluding the Conference, the leaders of both universities reaffirmed their commitment to continue nurturing and developing the partnership in the new phase, building on the achievements established over the past 15 years. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation into potential-rich areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, green finance, and innovation, while promoting doctoral programs, academic research, and academic exchange. As the focal unit for implementing NEU’s international collaboration programs, the International Education Institute is expected to continue playing a connecting role, contributing to the realization of strategic cooperation orientations, promoting internationalization, and enhancing NEU’s position in the global higher education network.

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: Institute of International Education and Communication Department