DNC - On October 22, 2024, as part of the working delegation of Can Tho City led by Mr. Pham Van Hieu – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee and Chairman of the Can Tho City People's Council – Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, Ambassador of Vietnam to New Zealand; representatives from the New Zealand Ministry of Education; leaders of several universities in New Zealand; and Dr. Tran Huu Xinh – Vice President of Nam Can Tho University (DNC), represented the university in signing a cooperation agreement with the International Pacific University (IPU) – New Zealand.

At the working session, New Zealand educational institutions highly appreciated the central role and position of Can Tho City in the field of education and training in the Mekong Delta region. They especially recognized the strong potential for cooperation between Can Tho City and universities in New Zealand. In addition, they shared experiences and information regarding future cooperation directions in education and training between New Zealand and the Asia–Southeast Asia region, including Vietnam.

Mr. Ben McNally-Burn – International Market Director (Southeast Asia and India) of Education New Zealand (ENZ) – expressed his impression of the number of universities and vocational education institutions in Can Tho City, as well as the quality of education and the number of students being trained at local universities. He also highly appreciated the efforts and dedication of the Can Tho City authorities, especially their strong focus on education, as demonstrated by their pursuit of strategic cooperation opportunities in education and training with New Zealand. He emphasized that this is a valuable opportunity for both sides to jointly develop and implement educational and training plans based on their existing strengths and mutual needs.

In a detailed discussion with the New Zealand Ministry of Education and several New Zealand universities, Dr. Tran Huu Xinh proposed various forms of extensive cooperation, focusing on key areas such as:

• Joint Training Programs: DNC and its New Zealand partners will jointly implement a 2+2 program, allowing students to study the first two years at DNC and the final two years at IPU – New Zealand. Priority disciplines include Business, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, Logistics, Medicine, Semiconductor Technology, and related fields.
• Postgraduate Education: The two parties will collaborate on master's and doctoral programs, with particular emphasis on Medicine, Nursing, Information Technology, Automotive Engineering Technology, and Semiconductor Engineering.
• Degree Recognition: Degrees and certificates issued by DNC will be recognized by New Zealand partners, facilitating students' progression to master's and doctoral programs at IPU – New Zealand in fields such as Medicine, Nursing, Information Technology, Automotive Engineering Technology, and Semiconductor Engineering.
• Research and Innovation: Both sides will jointly implement research projects, technology transfers, and organize academic conferences and seminars to promote academic cooperation.
• Cultural Exchange: The two institutions will organize academic and cultural exchange activities, such as workshops, symposia, and conferences to enhance intercultural understanding, academic interaction, and mutual appreciation. The program will also include faculty exchange, enabling lecturers from IPU to teach at Nam Can Tho University.

Earlier, on October 21, 2024, Dr. Tran Huu Xinh met and exchanged views with leaders of the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Representing Nam Can Tho University, Dr. Tran Huu Xinh – Vice President – stated

“Cooperation with leading universities in New Zealand will help enhance the quality of education at DNC, providing students with access to advanced knowledge and technologies. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for DNC to contribute to the overall development of the national education system.

Representing Nam Can Tho University, Dr. Tran Huu Xinh – Vice President

With the positive outcomes achieved from this working trip, Nam Can Tho University (DNC) hopes to continue expanding and strengthening its partnerships with institutions in New Zealand. In the future, DNC will focus on effectively implementing the signed agreements while actively seeking new cooperation opportunities to enhance the university’s position on the international stage.