The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), celebrated its successful partnership with Vietnam and Arizona State University to improve STEM education in Vietnamese higher education institutions over the last eight years. Over 200 industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs attended the event held during the 8th annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math conference (STEMCON) in Hanoi.
“Through USAID’s BUILD-IT public-private alliance, the U.S. government is advancing a shared goal with Vietnam to improve higher education and prepare students to be successful in today’s global economy,” said USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs. “Together, we harnessed common aspirations and commitment across industry, government, and universities to modernize STEM education, driving economic growth in Vietnam.”
Started in 2015, the $8.7 million BUILD-IT project leveraged government, private sector, and academic partners’ vast capabilities to build strategic leadership skills, advance university autonomy, improve program and instructional quality, and sustain lasting partnerships with the private sector. The project achieved lasting impact through:
- Partnering with eight higher education institutions in Vietnam (Can Tho University, University of Da Nang – University of Science and Technology, HCMC University of Technology and Education, Industrial University of HCMC, Vietnam National University HCMC – University of Technology, Lac Hong University, Hanoi University of Industry, and Phenikaa University).
- Leveraging resources from 20 industry partners for an additional $8.7 million investment in higher education in Vietnam.
Through these partnerships:
- 121 educational programs received regional and international accreditation, including, for the first time in Vietnam, 12 program accreditations under ABET, the top international accreditation body for engineering and technology.
- Over 2,000 courses redesigned to reflect the needs of the emerging digital workforce.
- 4,000 university leaders and staff improved their skills in the areas of leadership, strategy, curriculum, and partnerships with industry.
- 4,600 students benefited from project-based curricula activities.
- Three Maker Innovation Spaces in Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho contributed to increasing students’ innovation, supporting the university’s capacity to incorporate applied projects into its curricula, and fostering strong industry engagement. These spaces establish a sustainable mechanism to support university students in inventing, building, and launching solutions to technical problems.
Together with the Government of Vietnam, and in partnership with U.S. higher education institutions and the private sector, USAID is driving institutional and systemic higher education reforms that prepare graduates to succeed in a competitive global market.
This year, the United States and Vietnam are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership. USAID’s investments in higher education underscore the United States’ commitment to the future of Vietnam and the enduring nature of the U.S.-Vietnam partnership.
Source : Usaid
