RMIT University hosts School Health and Safety Conference

(Dan Tri) - More than 500 delegates gathered in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to share experiences and promote practices in the fields of health care and school safety.

The Vietnam School Health and Safety 2025 Conference was held at RMIT University Vietnam on October 2 and 3 at Saigon South campus and October 10 at Hanoi campus.

The conference is co-organized by RMIT University Vietnam, AmCham Vietnam, Imago Work, Saigon International School Network and Learning Strategies, with support from partner schools and organizations.

Speakers present at the event in Hanoi (Photo: RMIT).

This year, the conference was themed “Improving Professional Capacity in Multiple Fields in Vietnam”. The event not only built on the success of previous editions but also expanded dialogue and action to strengthen efforts on health care and school safety nationwide.

The event brought together more than 500 national and international delegates, including education experts, social workers, health professionals, domestic and foreign NGOs, international and bilingual schools, and representatives from embassies, consulates and industry partners.

Since 2023, the event has become one of the most comprehensive forums in Vietnam, promoting advanced practices in school health and safety, and creating momentum for increasingly close cooperation between key sectors and organizations.

“It is a great honor and inspiration to welcome such a large group of experts, activists and stakeholders. This conference is not only an academic event but also an opportunity to reflect, learn and adopt new strategies to build a stronger health and safety culture across Vietnam,” said Ms. Jodie Altan, Deputy General Manager, External Affairs, RMIT Vietnam.

“Hosting the conference also demonstrates RMIT’s commitment to connecting global knowledge with the practical needs of Vietnam, while contributing to building more connected and supportive communities,” she said.

A panel discussion with international experts (Photo: RMIT).

During the three days held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the program included five plenary sessions and 40 panel discussions with the participation of more than 50 speakers from home and abroad. The working sessions together delved into the urgent challenges and opportunities facing the country and the region.

The conference content revolved around two themes: “Mental health and resilience” and “School safety practices”, covering topics from online safety, trauma care to policy and program development at the organizational level.

The sessions are designed at both foundation and intermediate levels, ensuring accessibility for newcomers while providing in-depth, case-based learning experiences for experienced professionals.

Mr. Michael Tower, Deputy Director of Wellbeing and Mental Health at RMIT Vietnam, emphasized the importance of ensuring that professionals working in Vietnam receive the necessary support to learn and develop professionally, especially in areas related to mental health care and school safety.

“Experts from across Vietnam are working with vulnerable groups in a variety of educational and community contexts. The conference is an opportunity for Vietnamese and international experts to exchange practical solutions and build capacity so that we can best support the communities we serve,” said Mr. Tower.

Delegates exchanged, shared experiences and jointly developed cooperation ideas between fields (Photo: RMIT).

“The conference demonstrated what can be achieved when schools, NGOs and community partners come together with a common goal – we can turn dialogue into action and create safer, healthier environments for students and families,” said Dr. Catriona Moran, Principal of Saigon South International School.

Another highlight of the event was the spirit of networking. Delegates engaged in a variety of exchange activities, shared experiences and developed ideas for collaboration across sectors.

The NGO exhibitions in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi provided an opportunity for organizations to showcase their initiatives and seek collaboration opportunities, particularly in the areas of school safety, mental health care and community empowerment.

The Vietnam School Health and Safety 2025 Conference concluded, conveying the message that these are key priorities and pillars of a humane and sustainable society. The connections and commitments forged during the conference are expected to continue to shape new initiatives, strengthen professional capacity and promote deeper cooperation, thereby improving the well-being of children, adolescents, families and communities across Vietnam.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/dai-hoc-rmit-to-chuc-hoi-nghi-cham-soc-suc-khoe-va-an-toan-hoc-duong-20251010165339502.htm