UEH: A strategic bridge between Vietnam and the United States in the journey of internationalizing education

With over 50 years of establishment and development, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH) has continuously affirmed its pioneering role in connecting Vietnam with the global knowledge base. In particular, extensive cooperation with US partners is a prominent mark, making an important contribution to improving the quality of human resources and promoting the international integration process.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of UEH Council spoke at the 20th anniversary of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program on January 17, 2015.

Educational cooperation – Improving the quality of Vietnamese human resources

Since the late 1980s, when Vietnam began to open up and implement the "Doi Moi" policy, UEH has soon laid the foundation for strategic international cooperation relationships, including with the United States.

In 1995, the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program (FETP) was established, a result of cooperation between UEH and the John F. Kennedy School of Government - Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School). This was one of the first international cooperation activities between Vietnam and the United States after the normalization of relations, marking a historic turning point in education.

FETP is not only a training program but also a bridge to help Vietnamese students access modern economic thinking, advanced research methods and global governance models. By 2016, FETP had trained more than 1,300 students, of which 820 students completed the Postgraduate Program in Economic Policy Analysis (period 1995 - 2008) and more than 500 students graduated from the Master of Public Policy Program awarded by UEH (period 2008 - 2016). After graduation, students have played a good role and made positive contributions to public and private sector organizations across the country.

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dr. Stephen Percy - President of Portland State University on July 28, 2022.

Following this achievement, in 2014, UEH established the Faculty of Public Administration with the mission of training and scientific research in the public sector in Vietnam, aiming at the goal of "a prosperous and sustainable Vietnam through good governance and excellent leadership". The Faculty implements 5 training programs including: Bachelor of Public Administration; Dual Bachelor of Public Administration - Law and Local Administration; Master of Public Administration; Master of Public Administration - Advanced Operating Systems; and Master of Public Policy - Advanced Operating Systems. This is the result of more than 20 years of cooperation between UEH and the John F. Kennedy School of Government - Harvard University. To date, more than 1,000 students and graduates from these programs have been actively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

Short-term training activities also began to be implemented with the program "International Economic Journalism Training" in collaboration with Georgetown University (USA), held at UEH in July 1998. Following the success, in 1999, UEH continued to cooperate with Georgetown University and California Polytechnic State University (USA) to organize intensive training courses for reporters of major press agencies across the country.

At the same time, UEH continues to promote cooperation with many prestigious universities in the United States, creating joint training programs and international academic environments. These include joint programs with: University of Houston Clear Lake (University of Houston – Clear Lake), California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Portland State University (PSU) and University of North Carolina (University of North Carolina).

Notably, in 2023, UEH signed a Letter of Intent with California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), opening up student and faculty exchange programs, research cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Within the framework of projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UEH cooperates with Portland State University to implement credit recognition programs, academic exchanges, and develop joint training programs for community service and sustainable development.

In parallel, UEH also cooperates with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to facilitate students' access to international professional certificates, enhancing global competitiveness.

Cooperation signing ceremony between UEH and the American Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) on May 24, 2023

Innovation, business connection, local contribution

Not only focusing on educational cooperation, UEH also implements many practical cooperation projects with US partners to support local development. A typical example is the project "Provincial Capacity Building" in collaboration with Chemonics International and USAID, in which UEH participates in designing economic management training programs for local officials, helping Vietnamese provinces and cities improve their competitiveness in international integration.

UEH's innovation, startup and digital transformation activities have also made many important strides through cooperation with the Washington State Delegation, the University of Washington and leading US technology enterprises, contributing to the strong development of UEH's startup and innovation ecosystem.

With outstanding contributions in training programs, research, academic cooperation and innovation initiatives with the United States, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics is not only a strategic bridge between Vietnam and the global knowledge base, but also a symbol of integration, innovation and connection.

As a multidisciplinary, sustainable university, ranked in the Top 136 best universities in Asia and the Top 501-600 best universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025, UEH will continue to affirm its pioneering role in promoting Vietnam - US educational cooperation, making practical contributions to the development of the community, locality and country in the era of globalization.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ueh-cau-noi-chien-luoc-viet-nam-hoa-ky-trong-hanh-trinh-quoc-te-hoa-giao-duc-331151.html