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Aug 16, 2018 / 16:05

Hanoi and British Council sign deal to strengthen collaboration in education

In recent years, 12 universities in Hanoi have education exchange programs with UK institutions.

The British Council in Vietnam and the Hanoi Department of Education and Training have signed a memorandum of collaboration (MOC) to strengthen collaboration in education between Vietnam and the UK. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the newly-appointed Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam Gareth Ward on August 15.
 
Signing ceremony on Educational Collaboration between the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and The British Council Vietnam. Photo: British Council in Vietnam
Signing ceremony on educational collaboration between the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and The British Council Vietnam. Photo: British Council in Vietnam
Together with the MOC with the Ministry of Education and Training Vietnam signed in July 2018, the British Council in Vietnam continues to demonstrate its commitment to education as a strategic focus in its operations in Vietnam, as well as an important area in the strategic cooperation between the UK and Vietnam.
The year 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the fifth anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, and it is also the 25th year of operations of the British Council in Vietnam. With the signing of the MOC between the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and the British Council in Vietnam marks another important milestone.
Over the past few years, the British Council has played a major role in promoting the cultural relationship between Vietnam and the UK, especially with support for the quality of education in Vietnam, Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam, Gareth Ward stated.
“I am confident that the MOC will lay a strong foundation for continuing fruitful collaboration between the two countries and I affirm that education has always been a pillar in the relationship between the UK and Vietnam,” he added.
According to Director of British Council in Vietnam Danny Whitehead the agreement signed on August 15 will create opportunities for teachers, students and educational institutions in Hanoi to develop teaching and learning skills. Besides, this agreement will also help drive forward the education reform which the Hanoi Department of Education and Training has been carrying out successfully.
On his side, Director of Hanoi Department of Education and Training Chu Xuan Dung said prior to the signing ceremony, two sides have had cooperative programs that they find effective and suitable for the Hanoi education system.
“This MOC will be in effect for three years, not a long period, so we look forward to the immediate action plan for fruitful implementation of today's MOC,” he added. 
In the three-year period (from September 1, 2018 to September 1, 2021), the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and British Council Vietnam have agreed and committed to implement the MOC in the following areas.
Firstly, supporting the professional development of English language teachers in terms of both language proficiency and teaching skills and methodologies aligned with the National Foreign Languages strategy of the Government of Vietnam and the priorities of the Hanoi People’s Committee.
Secondly, supporting the improvement of teaching and learning in schools, targeting school leaders, teachers and students.
Thirdly, enabling access for Vietnamese students and parents to information on the UK, UK education, UK and International Exams, Testing and Accreditation.
Fourthly, supporting the quality provision of English language testing and assessment for teachers and students, aiming to raise the level of English proficiency among teachers and students in Hanoi.
Fifthly, raising awareness of educational opportunities for Vietnamese students in the UK and at the British Council.
Recently, the British Council and Hanoi Department of Education and Training have implemented a number of cooperative projects with very encouraging results: 1,837 English teachers have received training; 1,230 teachers attended Professional Development workshops in 2013, 2014, 2015, etc.
The British Council has been working closely with the Hanoi Department of Education and Training to support the city’s efforts in improving the quality of its schools and equipping students with the skills to lead, through capacity building and embedding an international dimension in teaching and learning, and, as a result, every year over 1,000 students from Hanoi go to study in the UK – this accounts for nearly half the total number of Vietnamese students to the UK. In addition, 12 universities in Hanoi have education exchange programs with UK institutions.