On October 8, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) had the honor of welcoming a delegation from the British Council in Vietnam to its Central Building. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for both sides to strengthen mutual understanding and discuss potential areas for cooperation in education, research, and academic development.
Representing the British Council were Mr. James Shipton, Director, and Ms. Phan Thi Bao Phi, Education Programme Manager. The HCMUTE delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President, along with representatives from the Office of International Affairs, the Office of Science and Technology, the Faculty of International Education, and the Faculty of Foreign Languages.
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The session began with formal introductions and a presentation video offering an overview of HCMUTE’s history, academic structure, and international partnerships. Mr. Nguyen Thoi, Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs, then delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the university’s key achievements and strategic focus areas. He emphasized that HCMUTE ranks among Vietnam’s top five universities in Engineering and Technology and has been entrusted by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to play a leading role in renewable energy and hydrogen research and training. He also shared that HCMUTE recently established15 key laboratories and 12 research groups in advanced fields such as vehicle automation, mechanical and environmental engineering, and communication technologies.
During the discussion, Mr. James Shipton expressed keen interest in HCMUTE’s English-taught programs and inquired about the university’s future development priorities. In response, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh reaffirmed HCMUTE’s strategic orientation toward innovation in engineering and technology, enhancing research capacity, expanding international publications, and building strong global partnerships in renewable energy and hydrogen.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Nhon, Dean of the Faculty of International Education, introduced the faculty’s ongoing programs and partnerships, emphasizing its focus on both education and research cooperation. He also discussed the implementation of joint programs with international partners, including the collaboration with the University of Sunderland. He also noted that while Circular 07 presents challenges—particularly in online program delivery—HCMUTE continues to focus on developing 2+2 joint programs with overseas universities and awaits further guidance from MOET.
Mr. Phong, from the university’s research division, highlighted the importance of science and research development at HCMUTE. He suggested that the British Council could support the university in connecting with UK institutions strong in renewable energy and hydrogen, and in identifyingfunding opportunities to enhance research capacity and faculty development.
In response, Ms. Phi from the British Council affirmed their willingness to assist, requesting detailed plans on how potential projects would be conducted. Mr. James further confirmed that the British Council could help connect HCMUTE with UK universities and explore possible research funding avenues.
Ms. Phuong Anh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, also shared insights into challenges in English-Medium Education (EME), particularly regarding the use of complex technical terminology in specialized subjects. She proposed that the British Council could serve as a bridge to connect HCMUTE with UK lecturers to deliver online workshops and training courses aimed at enhancing Vietnamese lecturers’ capacity in EME instruction.
Mr. James expressed appreciation for the constructive discussion and reaffirmed the British Council’s commitment to supporting HCMUTE’s initiatives. The meeting concluded with a souvenir exchange session, marking the beginning of promising future collaborations between HCMUTE and the British Council.
To commemorate this meaningful exchange, HCMUTE Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh presented gifts to the delegation. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing a shared commitment to explore future collaboration opportunities — particularly in promoting English-medium education, research initiatives, and student and staff exchanges. This discussion marks another step in HCMUTE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international engagement and foster high-quality global education partnerships.
