The awards were open to Vietnamese alumni from any New Zealand university who had made a significant contribution to supporting New Zealand engagement with Viet Nam
Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says it was “especially pleasing” to see two Victoria graduates receive the award.“Their success also underscores the University’s sustained impact on different generations of Vietnamese students,” he says.
One recipient, Dr Tran Huu Chinh, studied English at Victoria in the 1960s and upon returning to Viet Nam, embarked on what became a highly successful career in business. He has also worked for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise assisting New Zealand companies entering the Vietnamese market.
The other award recipient, Trang Lan Anh Thu, was one of the first graduates of Victoria’s Joint Programme with Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Economics in 2015. Trang is the co-founder of the ‘Kiwi and Mates’ alumni group in Viet Nam, and has also helped promote New Zealand education in Viet Nam.
Professor Guilford and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Engagement) Professor Rob Rabel were in attendance as they were part of the Government-led New Zealand delegation to forge new strategic partnerships between New Zealand universities and selected Viet Nam institutes.
During the tour, Victoria officially launched the joint delivery of its Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, and Professor Guilford met with students of Victoria’s Joint Programme in International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
Professor Guilford says the tour reaffirmed the University’s “strong commitment to engage with Viet Nam … and taking part in the Prime Minister’s visit was a great opportunity to reinforce our high profile”.