Professor Patrick Callaghan (middle) in a photo session with Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long and other speakers at a workshop on Vietnam-UK economic ties in LSBU in April (Photo: VNA)

The British Government has provided Vietnam short-term training to improve the capacity of vocational education teachers, specialized English training for key voc-ed teachers and  links to British vocational education institutions. Last April, Vietnam and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in vocational education.

The UK is a leading education partner with 74 transnational education programs involving 23 British universities. British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew said Vietnam is one of five priority countries in the UK's international education strategy.

He said there are currently about 12,000 Vietnamese students studying in the UK.  Britain is conducting multiple English training programs in Vietnam as well as some higher education programs for which the UK is very famous. He said there remain much potential for further cooperation in education.

Professor Patrick Callaghan, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University (LSBU) says Vietnam and the UK can further practical bilateral relations through cooperation in education and scientific research, which the two have great potential. He said educational cooperation should not be limited to higher education but extended to continuing education and secondary education.

This year, Vietnam and the UK are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. Education, sustainable development, and trade will be the three main areas of enhanced bilateral cooperation in the coming years.