On the morning of December 3, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) opened the training course “Internationalization of Higher Education in Vietnam: Strengthening International Cooperation Partnerships.” The course is part of the National Multiplication Training Project, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and implemented by the Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) program and the University of Potsdam, Federal Republic of Germany. The Institute of International Education at NEU is the lead unit implementing the program in Vietnam.

The training course brings together experts from Germany, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam, along with 16 trainees who are faculty and staff representing 12 universities nationwide, creating a multifaceted forum to promote experience sharing, capacity building, and the expansion of international cooperation networks in higher education.

An overview of the opening ceremony of the training course “Internationalization of Higher Education in Vietnam: Strengthening International Cooperation Partnerships”

Representing international organizations and universities at the opening ceremony were Felix Wagenfeld, Head of the DAAD Regional Office for Southeast Asia; Xian Qin, NMT Program Coordinator at the University of Potsdam, Federal Republic of Germany; Dr. Birgit Barden-Läufer, Head of the International Office at Leibniz University Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany; Dr. Soubin Sisavath, Deputy Head of the International Office at the National University of Laos; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Man Quang Huy, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Dinh Bao, Head of the Department of Personnel and Organization; Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, together with lecturers and staff from the Institute of International Education.

As higher education in Vietnam advances international integration in line with the Government’s direction, strengthening the professional expertise and operational skills of personnel working in international cooperation has become an urgent requirement. With nearly 30 years of experience managing and implementing international joint academic programs, the Institute of International Education distinguished itself among applicants from many countries to secure DAAD funding. This funding enables the Institute to deliver a training course that gives university staff in Vietnam access to up-to-date knowledge, practical skills, and internationalization experience from international experts.

The training course runs during 2025–2026, with two in-person workshops at NEU, aiming to equip trainees with the capacity to develop effective internationalization strategies and sustainable partnerships. Workshop 1 takes place over three days, December 3–5, 2025, and Workshop 2 is tentatively planned for May 2026.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, welcomed the experts, international guests, and all trainees attending the course. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu affirmed that “internationalization is no longer an option but has become an essential requirement for higher education institutions amid deepening globalization.” The Vice President also emphasized the program’s pivotal role in equipping personnel responsible for international cooperation at universities with knowledge, skills, strategic thinking, and modern approaches.

Felix Wagenfeld, Head of the DAAD Regional Office for Southeast Asia, shares his vision for global education at the opening ceremony

Also at the event, Felix Wagenfeld, Head of the DAAD Regional Office for Southeast Asia, emphasized the importance of international integration as artificial intelligence develops rapidly and gradually replaces many aspects of professional activities. Felix Wagenfeld expressed his hope that, during the three-day workshop, trainees would not only acquire knowledge within the program but also use it as a valuable opportunity to expand their networks, engage with one another, and learn from each other, thereby strengthening their professional expertise and international connections.

Xian Qin, Project Coordinator, discusses the world’s shared responsibility for the globalization of education and for ensuring consistent educational quality across all countries and territories worldwide

Representing the University of Potsdam (Federal Republic of Germany), Xia Qin, Project Coordinator, congratulated the program and firmly affirmed the commitment to continuing to work alongside NEU in future training and capacity-building activities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education at NEU, delivers remarks

Representing the lead unit implementing the program in Vietnam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education at NEU, also offered brief remarks to help trainees understand the objectives, structure, and direction of the entire training course.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh emphasized four core objectives of the training course: providing foundational knowledge of internationalization concepts, strategies, and models, with a particular focus on cooperation and international joint programs; equipping trainees with the skills, tools, and mindset needed to develop and effectively implement internationalization strategies at higher education institutions; creating opportunities for connections among Vietnamese universities to establish partnerships and open up new avenues for cooperation; and sharing case studies and practical experience from domestic and international experts that trainees can apply in their own institutions.

The organizing committee and trainees participating in the training course

With its mandate to develop and implement international cooperative academic programs in economics, management, and business administration, the Institute of International Education consistently focuses on leveraging the University’s combined strengths, with the goal of bringing NEU’s academic programs up to international standards. In addition, the Institute continually expands collaborative projects with foreign partners to acquire, apply, and transfer technologies for training, scientific research, and consulting, thereby creating a globally recognized learning environment at NEU itself.

Additional photos from the program:

Article and photos: Institute of International Education and Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.