The British Council in Vietnam and the Ministry of Education of Training of Vietnam last week signed a cooperation agreement on promoting social enterprise teaching and social reform in universities across the country.

Representatives of the British Council in Vietnam and the Ministry of Education of Training of Vietnam at the signing ceremony

The signing ceremony was attended by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc, British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam Ed Vaizey, and the UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward.

“The United Kingdom is the leading country in social enterprises. Through the British Council in Vietnam, I believe that today’s cooperative agreement will foster greater cooperation between the two countries. This will contribute to the development of Vietnam’s education system in general and the development of social enterprises in particular, creating a more sustainable development environment in Vietnam,” said Ed Vaizey.

Social enterprises, unlike ordinary businesses, are designed to address one or more specific social or environmental issues through a sustainable business model. In order to implement social entrepreneurship and social innovation, it is necessary to create a social entrepreneurial workforce that understands and is equipped with knowledge and skills in this area – an important task that requires time.

Universities, which are key generators of skilled professionals, are the best places to provide students with this expertise. An entrepreneurial workforce drives economic development and completes social goals, contributing to the stabilization and promotion of the nation's young talent.

Addressing the ceremony, Donna McGowan, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam, said: “In Vietnam, the British Council has actively supported and coordinated at all levels to disseminate the knowledge of social enterprises, bringing it closer to the Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation – university students.”

The agreement will promote social enterprises and social innovation through seminars, forums, training activities, capacity building for students, lecturers and counselors in universities in Vietnam, and raise awareness of social enterprise development in education and training for university students.

It will also provide knowledge and skills on social entrepreneurship, social creativity and community leadership to 200 lecturers to help them successfully implement the spillover effect activities at the school, implement more effective approaches to skills and business development, and launch and maintain a network of social educators and researchers.

Given the importance of education as a factor in economic development and social welfare, as well as a means to promote cooperation between the two countries, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc appreciated the support and cooperation of the UK and the British Council in Vietnam.

SGT