London (VNA) – A seminar on the Vietnam - UK partnershipsin innovation and education was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK, theVietnamese Intellectual Society in the UK and Ireland (VIS), and MiddlesexUniversity in London on June 19.

The event, part of the Vietnam - UK Friendship Year 2023 incelebration of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomaticties, attracted professors, lecturers, and students of UK universities, VIS members,and businesses in the innovation industry from both countries.

VIS Chairman Prof. Nguyen Xuan Huan said the event aimed tolook back on achievements in bilateral educational and training cooperation andexplore chances for strengthening ties in tertiary education, research, andinnovation.

It also hoped to introduce Vietnam as an innovative countryin such fields as emerging technologies, climate change response, andsustainable development; assess the role of leadership in promoting innovationcooperation and supporting the exchange of resources among universities,sectors, and businesses; and help strengthen connectivity among governmentagencies, universities, businesses, and related organisations of the twocountries to make differences in tertiary education and innovation, he noted.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen HoangLong stressed that among the seven cooperation pillars, education, sciencetechnology, research, and innovation are important and hold huge developmentpotential.

He added the UK is the No 1 partner of Vietnam in tertiaryeducation with over 100 cooperation programmes between the countries. Educationalcooperation has also been expanded to general education as Vietnam is working toimprove the quality of education and training, including the teaching andlearning of English.

Vietnam views the UK, a country with leading education andresearch quality in the world, as an important partner in education, research,and innovation, the diplomat affirmed, noting that the Vietnamese Embassyrecently opened a science - technology office to foster ties in this regard.

He perceived that research partnership will be a new step of developmentin educational cooperation. He also hoped the number of young Vietnamese postgraduatesin the UK will increase in the future.

Also expressing his wish to see more Vietnamese students athis school, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University Prof. Nic Beech said theuniversity will consider covering part of tuition fees and grantingscholarships for them.

At the event, speakers shared experience and discussed opportunitiesand prospects for innovation cooperation in emerging technologies, climate changeresponse, and energy transition. They also exchanged views on tertiaryeducation towards sustainable development, management of changes anduncertainties, and maintenance of an ecosystem among the government,industries, and universities./.