On the afternoon of December 6, 2024, the Institute of International Education, National Economics University (NEU), held a ceremony to launch the IBD.US@NEU International Bachelor’s Program, a collaboration between NEU and two reputable U.S. universities: Boise State University and Andrews University.

An overview of the ceremony

Representing the U.S. Embassy at the ceremony was Konstantin Dubrovsky, Deputy Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam. Representing the U.S. partner universities was Le Nguyen Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of Program Development in Vietnam for Andrews University, United States. Representatives of high school leadership in Hanoi included Tran Thi Hai Yen, Principal of Tran Phu High School, Hoan Kiem; Nguyen Thi Nham Huyen, Principal of Phan Dinh Phung High School; Nguyen Thi Nhiep, Principal of Chu Van An High School; Lee Martin Chalkly, Principal of Hanoi Toronto School; Nguyen Kieu Hoa, Vice Principal of Hanoi Academy International Bilingual School; and Ngo Thi Hang Nga, Vice Principal of Westlink International School. Representing U.S. businesses in Vietnam were Dau Thuy Ha, Chair of the Boards of Directors of OCD Management Consulting Joint Stock Company and OMT Company, representing the Boise State University Alumni community; and representatives of Amazon Vietnam, Starbucks Vietnam, McDonald’s Vietnam, and Taylor Made.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; and leadership representatives from colleges, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers, along with the University’s faculty and staff, parents and school students, and representatives of news agencies, the press, and television.

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

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, said that the event marked an important milestone in the development of international cooperation for NEU in general and the Institute of International Education in particular.

“This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to improving educational quality and developing a workforce that meets international standards and is highly competitive in the global labor market. We believe this program will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and creative thinking necessary to succeed as technology’s impact becomes increasingly far-reaching. We will integrate modern teaching methods and provide students with distinctive, practice-based experiential opportunities to help them fully develop their individual capabilities while retaining their personal identities,” shared Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu.

Konstantin Dubrovsky, Deputy Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, delivers remarks.

Also at the ceremony, Konstantin Dubrovsky, Deputy Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, said that the collaboration between NEU, Boise State University, and Andrews University contributes to advancing international educational cooperation between the United States and Vietnam.

Konstantin Dubrovsky added that Vietnam currently ranks sixth in the number of students studying in the United States, with nearly 30,000 students attending U.S. educational institutions and another 300,000 accessing U.S. educational resources online. This vibrant exchange of knowledge and culture is a testament to the ties between the two countries.

The upgrade of bilateral relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2023 placed a strong emphasis on education. The U.S. Embassy has consistently been a strong supporter of educational partnerships, which play a pivotal role in promoting cultural exchange, strengthening mutual understanding, and shaping innovative approaches to business in a globalized world.

The U.S. Embassy is committed to creating an enabling environment in which partnerships between U.S. and Vietnamese universities can flourish. In November 2023, the U.S. Department of State signed a memorandum of understanding on education and training with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), emphasizing joint cooperation in scholarship programs, higher education partnerships, and student and lecturer exchange programs.

The United States is also expanding Fulbright scholarships for students and launching the Vietnamese Student Research Program for doctoral degree holders. To date, the Fulbright Program and the Vietnam Education Foundation have provided 600 individuals with opportunities to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at U.S. universities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, discusses the history and development of the International Bachelor’s Program IBD.US@NEU

This joint education program offers learners U.S.-standard educational quality and an international learning environment. With curricula drawn directly from the U.S. partner universities and a flexible learning model, students have opportunities to transfer to the United States with a range of scholarship benefits and reasonable tuition fees. Students will receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree awarded by Andrews University or Boise State University.

Boise State University (Idaho) was founded in 1932; its College of Business and Economics is among the top 3% of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB. Andrews University (Michigan), founded in 1874, is one of the oldest universities in the United States and consistently ranks among the top 10 universities with the highest proportions of international students.

To deliver the greatest value to the community and support the well-rounded development of students in the program, the Institute of International Education has been strengthening cooperation with businesses and high schools and will continue to do so. Also at the ceremony, the Institute of International Education and its corporate partners signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation to improve educational quality, thereby providing students with internship, recruitment, and career development opportunities. Businesses will work with the University to organize activities that equip students with hands-on skills and help them practice those skills. They will also share experience, arrange field visits, host student interns, and provide professional advice to enhance students’ practical skills and offer career guidance, helping them prepare to enter a professional working environment while still at the University.

In addition, the Institute of International Education will coordinate with high schools to organize career counseling programs and learning experiences, and implement community activities that spread positive educational values to school students and parents.

The Institute of International Education, NEU, signs memoranda of understanding on cooperation with representatives of several businesses and high schools in Hanoi.

Following the U.S. liberal arts education model, IBD.US@NEU not only helps students fully develop their creative thinking and adaptability but also contributes to the mission of educating a generation of knowledgeable, resilient entrepreneurs capable of helping Vietnamese businesses integrate into the global economy. The program is committed to building a modern educational foundation, contributing to sustainable development and a prosperous society for the future.

Delegates attending the ceremony pose for a commemorative photo

Some photos from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

Media coverage of the event:

Dan Tri: National Economics University launches the IBD.US@NEU international bachelor’s program

Lao Dong: National Economics University launches an international bachelor’s program

Dai Bieu Nhan Dan: National Economics University partners with Boise State University and Andrews University on education

Nhan Dan: Advancing educational cooperation between Vietnamese and U.S. universities

Vietnam News Agency: Advancing educational cooperation between Vietnamese and U.S. universities

Giao Duc & Thoi Dai: National Economics University launches the international bachelor’s program IBD.US@NEU

Tien Phong: National Economics University adds an international joint bachelor’s program

VTC News: Vietnam ranks sixth in the number of students studying in the United States

Ha Noi Moi: More than 30,000 Vietnamese students are studying at U.S. educational institutions

Cong An Nhan Dan: National Economics University partners with two major U.S. universities on education

Communist Party of Vietnam: Launch of the “IBD.US@NEU International Bachelor’s Program”

Dan Viet: U.S. Embassy in Vietnam: “What does the figure of nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the United States tell us?”

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