Within the framework of the working visit to the United Kingdom from July 20 to 28, 2026, besides successfully co-organizing the International Conference on Sustainable Development with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), the delegation from the National Economics University (NEU) engaged in a series of activities with many leading universities in the UK. This visit contributed to deepening relationships with strategic partners, expanding the international collaboration network, and promoting the implementation of key objectives in the University’s Internationalization Strategy.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the University and Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh – Vice President of the University. The delegation also included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh – Director of the Institute of International Education (ISME); along with representatives from the leadership of Schools, Departments, Faculties, Institutes, and Centers affiliated with the University.

Strengthening Connections with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland

On the afternoon of July 24, 2026, the delegation from the National Economics University had a meeting at the Vietnamese Embassy in London, hosted by Ambassador Do Minh Hung – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Do Minh Hung welcomed the delegation at the Embassy Office

During the meeting, the delegation informed Ambassador Do Minh Hung about the significant achievements in collaboration between the National Economics University and universities in the United Kingdom, while also sharing the direction for expanding the partnership network and implementing the University’s Internationalization Strategy in the new development phase.

Ambassador Do Minh Hung highly appreciated the efforts and achievements of the National Economics University in establishing and expanding relations with prestigious educational institutions in the United Kingdom. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom will continue to accompany and support the University in connecting with local universities, organizations, and businesses. This will contribute to expanding opportunities for collaboration in training, academic research, and scholarly exchange, while also promoting educational cooperation between Vietnam and the United Kingdom to become deeper, more practical, and effective.

The meeting demonstrated the interest and support of the Vietnamese diplomatic representative agency in the process of expanding the partnership network and international integration of the National Economics University. The connection and support from the Embassy are expected to create additional practical cooperation bridges, helping the University to gain broader access to educational institutions, organizations, and businesses in the United Kingdom, thereby gradually realizing the objectives in the University’s Internationalization Strategy.

Strengthening Strategic Partnership with the University of the West of England

Building on a 15-year collaboration, the NEU delegation held working sessions with representatives from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) to review the achievements and discuss and agree on the development directions for the partnership in the next phase. The discussions focused on expanding joint academic programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels; promoting academic research and co-supervision of doctoral candidates; enhancing faculty and student exchanges; and sharing experiences in quality assurance, digital transformation, and higher education innovation. Through these efforts, both universities aim to deepen their collaboration, expanding from education to research, academic exchange, and human resource development in an international environment.

The delegation working with the University of the West of England, United Kingdom

Both parties also agreed to continue developing in-depth collaborative programs aimed at enhancing the quality of education, research capacity, and international standing of each institution, while creating more opportunities for students to study and conduct research in an international environment.

Expanding the Network of Collaboration with New Partners

A notable highlight of the mission was NEU’s continued expansion of its collaboration network in the United Kingdom through meetings and exchanges with Anglia Ruskin University, Queen Mary University of London, and Heriot-Watt University. This forms a crucial basis for the University to foster new opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and academic exchange, gradually expanding the scope of international cooperation in the coming phase.

The delegation working and taking commemorative photos with the leadership of Anglia Ruskin University

At Anglia Ruskin University, the delegation discussed with the university leadership the directions for collaboration in undergraduate and postgraduate education, academic research, innovation, and digital transformation. Both sides paid special attention to the potential for implementing joint research projects, enhancing faculty, student, and academic exchanges, and developing international academic programs that align with each side’s strengths and the demand for high-quality human resources in the new context.

The delegation working and presenting gifts at Queen Mary University of London

At Queen Mary University of London, the delegation engaged with the leadership and representatives from specialized units on opportunities for collaboration in undergraduate and postgraduate education, academic research, faculty and student exchanges, and connecting research groups between the two universities. Both parties highly valued the potential for collaboration in the fields of economics, business, finance, and management, and agreed to continue discussions to develop specific collaborative programs in the near future.

Delegation representatives working with Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, UK

At Heriot-Watt University, the delegation held a meeting with the leadership of the Edinburgh Business School and representatives from specialized units, focusing on potential collaboration in undergraduate and postgraduate education, academic research, co-supervision of doctoral candidates, faculty exchanges, and developing training programs for management and leadership teams. Based on shared areas of interest and strengths, both universities agreed to maintain connections and gradually materialize the discussed contents into practical collaborative programs in the near future.

Enhancing connections with prestigious universities in the United Kingdom continues to expand the international collaboration space of the National Economics University (NEU), not only in academic programs but also in academic research, scholarly exchange, and faculty development. Through this, the University gradually diversifies its network of partners, creating additional opportunities for faculty members, students, and learners to access international academic environments, enhancing research capacity, experiences, and integration capabilities in the increasingly global context of higher education.

Affirming the Determination to Implement the Internationalization Strategy

The series of activities in the United Kingdom has contributed to deepening the 15-year partnership with the strategic partner, the University of the West of England, while expanding connections with Anglia Ruskin University, Queen Mary University of London, and Heriot-Watt University. The achievements not only open new avenues for collaboration in academic programs, academic research, and scholarly exchange but also provide additional impetus for the National Economics University to gradually realize the objectives of the Internationalization Strategy, offering more opportunities for learning, research, and experiences in an international environment for learners and faculty members.

From the foundations established and strengthened during the working visit, the National Economics University will continue to concretize the exchanged content into practical, in-depth cooperation programs that create long-term value. This is also an important step in the journey to build the National Economics University into a reputable research university in the region, with a modern, integrated academic environment that increasingly stands out in the international higher education network.

Some other images within the framework of the working program:

Article and Photos: Institute of International Education and Communications Department