Sixty Vietnamese and Danish universities and colleges explored cooperation prospects during an education forum in Hanoi on March 4, which coincided with Danish Minister of Education Christine Antorini’s three-day visit starting the same day.

Denmark has a strong track record of providing unique and world-class teaching and learning solutions, Antorini said at the event, adding that Vietnam and Denmark are likely to work together in vocational and business training at the high school level and other fields that meet Vietnam’s needs.

In his opening remark, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga said Vietnam needs reform in curricula, the quality of teaching staff, and research and application.

He stated confidently that the forum would provide a platform for both sides to foster collaboration in education and training.

A number of Danish educational establishments, including Skive Handelsskole, Training Centre South, Niels Brock, and UCC Professions Hojskolen, presented their credentials and training majors, both short-term and long-term, and introduced options for special-need students.

As one of the most important educational initiatives since the signing of the bilateral comprehensive partnership in 2013, a similar forum will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 6.

Vietnam suggests educational working group with Denmark

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam suggested establishing a joint working group on education during a reception for Danish Minister of Education Christine Antorini in Hanoi on March 4.

He hailed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on education in September 2013 as a significant foundation for realising concrete cooperative activities.

The host hoped that Denmark would provide additional scholarships for Vietnamese students and facilitate bilateral coordination between educational establishments, especially those strong in science-technology, marine-based economy, oil and gas, and renewable energy.

Denmark is a highly significant economic partner of Vietnam in North Europe, Dam said, adding that the pending free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union—and the birth of the ASEAN Economic Community this year—would provide Vietnam and Denmark with favourable conditions to bring trade between the two nations to 1 billion USD by 2016.

Antorini proposed facilitating the student exchanges in the coming time.

He made it clear that Denmark stands ready to share teaching methods, reference materials, and modern curricula with Vietnam.