Australia supports many education and training initiatives with Vietnam, including cooperating with the Vietnamese Government on education and training matters; increasing Australian participation in education, training and research; facilitating institution-to-institution linkages; and supporting Australian alumni associations. Australia is a strong investor in Vietnam’s human resources development and is the leading provider of scholarships to Vietnamese students.
Australia's RMIT University has been operating in Vietnam since 2000 as the first and as yet only 100 per cent foreign-owned University in Vietnam. It operates two campuses based in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Australian Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) renewed two Memoranda of Understanding in 2003 – one on education cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Training and one on vocational training issues with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
The international arm of DEST is Australian Education International (AEI) Vietnam. AEI has two offices in Vietnam and provides advice on education and training issues to Governments and education and training providers, and also provides advice to Australian education providers on effective engagement in the Vietnamese market.
As part of the expanded Australian Scholarships Initiative, DEST administers the Endeavour Programme – a prestigious scholarship programme showcasing the excellence of Australia’s education, science and training sectors. The Endeavour Program supports high achieving students, researchers and professionals in undertaking short or long-term study, research and professional development in Australia in a broad range of disciplines. It also enables Australians to do the same abroad. Awards are granted on the basis of a merit selection process. Vietnam has been a significant beneficiary of the newly expanded program, going from two Endeavour awardees in 2006 to 26 in the 2007 round.