Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 
Tuesday, November 10

Students in Vietnam and British Columbia will benefit from partnership agreements the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE) signed yesterday with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Training Center (SEAMEO RETRAC) and the Vietnam Association of Community Colleges (VACC). These partnerships lay the groundwork for mutually-beneficial cooperation, internships and joint programming in support of shared labour market development goals.

BCCIE’s Executive Director, Dr. Randall Martin, led the signing of the official documents – a refreshed Letter of Intent with SEAMEO RETRAC and a cooperation agreement with VACC – at a high-level education seminar in Ho Chi Minh City. 

The event was held in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam and the Government of British Columbia. It was attended and opened by the Honourable Teresa Wat, BC Minister of International Trade and His Excellency David Devine, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam.

Yesterday’s achievements were in part a result of the Team BC Southeast Asia Mission in October 2015, where relationships were established with education agents and networks, schools, universities, institutions and state and federal agencies. 

BC and Vietnam have a history of collaboration in the education sector. Previous agreements have been signed between BC and Vietnamese institutions including:

• Capilano University and HUTECH – HCM University of Technology
• Thompson Rivers University and Vietnam National University
• The University of British Columbia and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy

In 2013/14 there were an estimated 1,100 international students from Vietnam studying in BC. Enhanced engagement with all of the ASEAN countries, and specifically with Vietnam, is a priority for the government of British Columbia.

Quotes: 

Andrew Wilkinson, BC Minister of Advanced Education – 
“As British Columbia works to establish stronger cultural and economic ties with Vietnam, it is essential to have our respective educational institutions and organizations work together. These new relationships will encourage two-way discussion among our educators, trainers and students. Our collaborations will ultimately provide a strong foundation for successful careers in both Vietnam and British Columbia.”

Teresa Wat, BC Minister of International Trade – 
“The seeds for strong trade and economic ties are often sown long before business relationships blossom.  And it’s why education partnerships are so important to British Columbia’s economy. The understanding, trust and personal relationships that form when students and teachers work together in classrooms and laboratories often results in synergies that have wonderful and long-lasting impact on our trading, cultural and social connections. 

Media contact
Chantal Moore
Manager, Communications
BC Council for International Education
P: 604-637-6755
E: cmoore@bccie.com