From November 21 to 27, 2025, a delegation from National Economics University (NEU), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, visited the United Kingdom and met with strategic partners, including the University of Lincoln and Coventry University. The delegation also signed a renewal of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The delegation also included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thanh Huong, Dean of the Institute of Postgraduate Education; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dam Quang Vinh, Director of the Center for Distance Education; MSc. Pham Thi Phuong Thuy, Deputy Head of the Department of Personnel and Organization; Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Giang, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Education; and Dr. Ho Hoang Lan, Head of the Undergraduate Education Division, Institute of International Education.

During the visit to the United Kingdom, representatives of the partner universities spoke highly of NEU’s standing and affirmed that NEU remains a strategic partner in international cooperation activities. The universities expressed their desire to expand the scale and depth of cooperation, with a view to introducing additional master’s and doctoral academic programs while strengthening lecturer and student exchanges and short-term training programs. The university leaders also expressed their readiness to welcome NEU lecturers and students to the United Kingdom for study, research, and short-term work. They further affirmed that international lecturers are always ready to teach as visiting lecturers at NEU, attend conferences, and collaborate on scientific research.

During the trip, the delegation visited and met with representatives of the University of Lincoln, a long-established educational institution founded in 1861 in the city of Lincoln. Welcoming and meeting with the delegation were Prof. Mike Varne, Deputy Vice Chancellor; Prof. Lezlee-jayne Stones, Dean of Lincoln Business School; Dr. David Rugara, responsible for international cooperation; Dr. Victoria Ellis-Vowles, responsible for postgraduate programs; and Dr. Hao Quach, responsible for partner liaison.

The delegation meets with representatives of the University of Lincoln

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, presents a gift to Prof. Mike Varney, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln

At the meeting, NEU and the University of Lincoln agreed to strengthen cooperation in doctoral education, including discussions on dissertation research directions, co-supervision arrangements, and seminars for PhD candidates. The two sides also reached an agreement to expand collaborative programs, including student exchanges, short courses, and summer courses, thereby creating more opportunities for academic connections and strengthening multifaceted cooperation between the two universities.

The delegation with Dr. Hao Quach outside Lincoln Business School’s offices

As part of the working visit, the delegation met with representatives of Coventry University, which has partnered with NEU since 2020 through an undergraduate academic program in Business and Marketing.

Welcoming and meeting with the delegation were Prof. Richard Wells, Deputy Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation; Dr. Jasmine Samra, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Partnerships; Prof. Jenna Ward, Dean of the School of Law and Business; and Kate Gilman, Deputy Director of Operations for Partnerships.

The delegation meets with representatives of Coventry University

The meeting focused on discussing the terms for renewing the Cooperation Agreement between the two universities for 2026–2032. NEU and Coventry University agreed to continue promoting lecturer and student exchange programs, strengthen academic interaction between their teaching teams in joint programs, and consider developing additional undergraduate majors, such as Human Resource Management. Coventry University also affirmed its readiness to expand opportunities for students from NEU’s Institute of International Education to undertake their final year there, providing learners with more choices and international experiences.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, presents a gift to Prof. Richard Wells, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Coventry University

The delegation poses for a commemorative photograph with Prof. Richard Wells, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and representatives of Coventry University’s leadership

During the trip, the delegation also took time to examine facilities at partner universities in the United Kingdom to learn about current technology trends and modern teaching-space models. These firsthand observations help guide NEU in applying these approaches to the design of lecture halls and classrooms at its new campus.

The delegation tours large lecture halls (lecture theatre) at universities in the United Kingdom

Seminar rooms are moderately sized, with flexible furniture arrangements and a full range of equipment to support plenary discussions and group work

The University of Lincoln has equipped a financial investment classroom where students can learn and conduct analyses using real-time data from the Bloomberg platform

At the conclusion of its working visit to the United Kingdom, the NEU delegation held a signing ceremony for a Cooperation Agreement with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) at the association’s headquarters in London.

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU, and Alan Hatfield, ACCA’s Global Executive Director, signed a document renewing the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the two sides. The new agreement reaffirms a learner-centered approach to cooperation, focusing on developing a high-quality workforce in accounting, auditing, and finance while expanding learning and career opportunities for students, particularly those enrolled in the University’s High-Quality Auditing program integrating the ACCA qualification. The two sides also agreed to jointly organize seminars and professional development courses for lecturers, particularly in international accounting, to improve the quality of education and meet the requirements of regional and international integration.

Alan Hatfield expressed his high regard for NEU’s role in Vietnam’s higher education system and affirmed that ACCA would continue to strengthen its close cooperation with NEU, thereby providing more career opportunities for Vietnamese students in the coming years.

Representatives of NEU and ACCA in the United Kingdom sign the renewal of the Cooperation Agreement

The working visit significantly expanded NEU’s cooperation network and strengthened its standing among reputable international partners in the United Kingdom. The outcomes provide an important foundation for the University’s next phase of international cooperation, guided by three priorities: strengthening exchanges and training for lecturers and students on an equal footing; introducing new, up-to-date majors and courses aligned with international trends for delivery in Vietnam; and attracting foreign students to study and gain experience at NEU. This is expected to be a breakthrough phase, helping NEU become a prominent destination for students and learners from the region and around the world.

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.