On the occasion of attending the Education World Forum London 2019, on 24^th January 2019, Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Dr. Phùng Xuân Nhạ led a delegation of local leading universities, schools and education companies at a full-daymeeting in Cambridge, focusing on collaboration with the University’s two departments Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press, with the aim of enhancing support for the country’s ambitious education reforms

.On the occasion of attending the Education World Forum London 2019, on 24^th January 2019, Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Dr. Phùng Xuân Nhạ led a delegation of local leading universities, schools and education companies at a full-daymeeting in Cambridge, focusing on collaboration with the University’s two departments Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press, with the aim of enhancing support for the country’s ambitious education reforms

 Speaking at the meeting in Cambridge, Prof. Dr. Phùng Xuân Nhạ highly appreciated that Cambridge and the Ministry will explore ways to improve the effectiveness of English language teaching, including the teaching of other subjects through the medium of English. The collaboration will consider the introduction of international qualifications for learners and teachers, as well as a programme of training, seminars and conferences on the teaching, learning and assessment of English. The Ministry’s publishing arm, Vietnam Education Publishing House, will work with Cambridge University Press to share expertise across a number of areas, including the development of textbooks and other publications and digital education projects.

Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a distinguished delegation and to have this opportunity to discuss ways that Cambridge can support Vietnam’s vision for an education system that will open up countless opportunities for the next generation of learners. We are looking forward to extending opportunities even further.”

Nassé explained that Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press support educational reform programmes all over the world, and have a long track-record in Vietnam. Cambridge Assessment English has operated a representative office of Cambridge Assessment English in Ho Chi Minh City in 2006, working closely with the Ministry of Education and Training and the provincial Departments of Education and Training. Hundreds of thousands of teachers and learners in Vietnam have taken Cambridge English examinations, and Cambridge Assessment’s International Education team works in partnership with more than 30 leading public and private schools across the country.

Peter Phillips, Chief Executive at Cambridge University Press, said: ‘Sharing insights and collaborating to achieve improvements in education are central to Cambridge’s values and we are delighted to be embarking on new ventures with education partners in Vietnam, and taking steps with them towards achieving the ambitious aims of education leaders in Vietnam.

‘Cambridge University Press works with governments and schools around the world to help deliver improvements to teaching and to students’ understanding and competencies. Having had a base in Vietnam for nearly 20 years, we’re delighted to be supporting Vietnam’s education system by sharing Cambridge’s expertise, delivering training and providing advice for important educational developments in the country.’ 

The Memorandum of Collaboration with Cambridge Assessment was signed by Ms Nguyen Thi Mai Huu, Director of the National Foreign Languages Project which is the coordinating agency for the Ministry in national foreign languages reforms; and the Memorandum of Collaboration with Cambridge University Press was signed by Mr Nguyen Duc Thai, Chairman of the Vietnam Education Publishing House.

The signings were witnessed by Minister Phung Xuan Nha, H.E. Ambassador of Vietnam to the UK, Mr Tran Ngoc An and Head of Department of Investment and Trade, British Embassy in Vietnam, Ms Lisa Banks,

The full day event took place at the headquarters of Cambridge Assessment, and included an extensive programme of discussions and workshops on issues of great interest to Vietnam education policymakers, universities, schools and education companies, as well as a tour of the historic university, consistently ranked as one of the world’s top institutions of higher education, a visit to Cambridge Assessment’s secure exams processing facility and a visit to The Perse School in Cambridge.