Kick-off Conference for the Project on Enhancing the Internationalization Capacity of Second-Tier Universities in Vietnam and Cambodia
From December 8 to December 12, 2024, UFBA delegation led by Dr. Dao Van Tu, Vice President, and Dr. Nguyen Quang Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation, participated in the Kick-off Conference of the Project on Enhancing the Internationalization Capacity of Second-Tier Universities in Vietnam and Cambodia (BEST), funded by the European Union (EU) at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
The BEST project (Boosting Excellence in Second-Tier HEIs) was officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting held at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. This initiative is part of the European Union’s Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of second-tier higher education institutions in Cambodia and Vietnam by improving internationalization, governance, and institutional capacity.
Running for 36 months from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2027, the BEST project brings together seven partners from five EU and non-EU countries:
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV), Italy
- University of Piraeus (UNIPI), Greece
- Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (IHF), Belgium
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking (HUB), Vietnam
- University of Finance and Business Administration (UFBA), Vietnam
- Cambodia-Asia Polytechnic Institute (CAPI), Cambodia
- University of Angkor (AU), Cambodia
The BEST project aims to modernize and internationalize higher education institutions (HEIs) in Cambodia and Vietnam. The goal is to enhance the international integration capacity of faculty members and staff at these universities to identify opportunities for international collaboration in research, teaching, student and faculty exchange. The project will improve internal management mechanisms and create working groups focused on the internationalization of the institution, academic programs, curriculum development, faculty teaching and research capabilities, student exchanges, staff development, partnerships, networks, and particularly the integration of technology into international cooperation activities. The cooperation between EU and Asian partners will contribute to the development of student, faculty, and staff exchange strategies and the establishment of internationalization strategies at HEIs in Vietnam and Cambodia.
A highlight of the kick-off meeting was the collaboration of all partner organizations in aligning the project’s vision and action plan. The program consisted of discussions and strategic workshops, including:
- Project Overview and Work Package Presentation: UNITOV and other partners outlined the responsibilities and timeline for project implementation.
- Capacity-Building Workshop: Discussions focused on administrative tasks related to equipment management, the establishment of working groups, and planning for international collaboration training sessions.
- Technical and Financial Management: UNITOV and IHF led a detailed session on reporting requirements, financial guidelines, and quality assurance to ensure smooth operations across all work packages.
- Roundtable Discussions: Partners shared insights into the challenges and opportunities for universities in Cambodia and Vietnam, emphasizing the need for real-time updates and stronger international connections.
The meeting concluded with a team-building session and cultural activities, accompanied by group photos of the delegations from UFBA and other institutions, celebrating the official launch of the Project.
