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| Professor Patrick Callaghan, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor, London South Bank University. Photo: Photo courtesy of Professor Patrick Callaghan |
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Callaghan highlighted the strength of the relationship between Vietnam and the UK, citing the photo exhibition held at London South Bank University (LSBU) on April 27 to celebrate 50 years of the Vietnam-UK relations as a perfect example. He expressed his delight at the successful event, which showcased the deep connections between the two countries.
The professor remarked that bilateral trade is now mostly focused on goods, but it can be extended into other areas of the service industry, in which the UK is particularly well-equipped and proficient.
He suggested the two countries boost their partnership through cooperation in science and education, including higher education, further education, and even secondary education.
Callaghan stated that universities in both countries, including LSBU, could team up in crucial areas such as transnational education, doctoral degree training, engineering, health, and social care research.
Speaking of cooperation between London South Bank University (LSBU) and Vietnam, he said the number of Vietnamese students choosing to study at LSBU, especially at the LSBU Business School, has greatly increased in recent years.
The London South Bank University (LSBU) Business School considers Vietnam a priority market in areas such as student recruitment, transnational education, research, and knowledge transfer, according to Callaghan. He added that the university is currently in talks with Vietnamese higher education institutions to explore possibilities of collaboration in transnational education, student exchange, and research.
The President’s Visit: A Symbol of Vietnam and the UK’s Outstanding Friendly Relations
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| Chairman of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN) Mark Kent. Photo: VNA |
In another interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Chairman of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN) Mark Kent highlighted the excellent friendly high-level relations between the two countries, saying that President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III was an indication of this. He noted that it was a particularly special and auspicious time for both nations.
Kent, who worked as British Ambassador to Vietnam from 2007 to 2010, highlighted the potential for a modern, progressive, and cooperative relationship between the two nations.
Kent acknowledged the potential for increased collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, education, science, technology, and the response to global issues like climate change, noting that Vietnam was particularly susceptible to flooding due to rising sea levels.
He also found potential for further people-to-people exchanges, in particular tourism, given many splendid destinations throughout Vietnam, even though at that time there were no direct flights between Vietnam and the UK.
The VUKN Chairman said the relations between the UK and Vietnam have changed drastically since 2010, noting that the Strategic Partnership established in 2010 was renewed in 2020, and the bilateral relationship has become more robust, closer, and more expansive than ever before.
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| The UK is the third largest trade partner of Vietnam in Europe. Photo: VNA |
The United Kingdom is the third largest trading partner of Vietnam in Europe. In December 2020, the two countries officially signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) based on the principles of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), with necessary modifications to ensure that the framework of bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK is adhered to, as reported by Nhan dan (People) newspaper.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Kingdom made significant contributions to the COVAX Facility with the vaccine developed jointly by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. The United Kingdom donated millions of doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Vietnam through both bilateral channels and the COVAX Facility.
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On May 4th afternoon (local time), President Vo Van Thuong and his entourage arrived at Heathrow International Airport in London, kicking off their visit to attend the coronation of King Charles III at the invitation of the Royal Family of the United Kingdom. UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew has declared that this is a momentous occasion, as the United Kingdom has not seen a coronation in the past seven decades. He believes that it is of utmost importance that President Thuong and other leaders from around the globe attend this momentous event in the UK. Ambassador Frew said that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UK to demonstrate their proud heritage and tradition. During his stay, the Vietnamese President is scheduled to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla, leaders of the British government, parliament, and several Cabinet ministers, thereby further strengthening the bond between Vietnam and the UK Government and monarchy. This is expected to bolster political trust and relations between the two countries. The Vietnamese State leader is set to meet with representatives from prominent economic corporations and educational institutions, as well as friendship organizations that have made a great impact on the growth of bilateral ties. They will discuss ways to further enhance the current state of relations between the two countries. |
