On August 26, 2025, the Office of International Affairs at HCMUTE hosted an incredibly informative meeting with Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, Trade Commissioner and Head of Education of the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City. The Commissioner reaffirmed that education is a central pillar of Canada–Vietnam relations and recognised Vietnam as a market of high strategic importance for Canadian educational institutions. With approximately 17,000 Vietnamese students currently studying in Canada, Vietnam now ranks among the top eight countries worldwide and second in ASEAN in terms of international student numbers.
The representative of the Consulate General of Canada shared examples of successful collaborations between Canadian universities and leading Vietnamese institutions such as UEH, FTU, UFM, UT, and Duy Tan University, particularly in MBA programmes and sustainable development initiatives. HCMUTE expressed strong interest in developing similar partnerships while also noting that high tuition fees remain a key barrier for many Vietnamese students aspiring to study in Canada.
In response, Ms. Cam Tu introduced the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) programme, designed to provide short-term study abroad opportunities in Canada for one or two semesters, supported or co-funded by Canadian universities and the government. Both sides agreed to continue discussions and arrange follow-up meetings to identify specific joint-programme proposals tailored to HCMUTE’s faculties and areas of strength.
