Over 500 Vietnamese alumni from Australian universities gathered for their first national conference in Hanoi on December 14 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam – Australia diplomatic ties.

Since 1973, some 40,000 Vietnamese students have graduated from Australian universities and colleges, of whom 4,500 were recipients of long-term and short-term scholarships from the Australian Government.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Tran Quang Quy thanked the Australian Government and education institutions for helping Vietnam train a high-quality workforce.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam Phillip Stonehouse, said thousands of Vietnamese graduates from Australia have played an active part in promoting bilateral ties between the two countries as well as contributed to Vietnam’s growth.

The two-day Vietnam National Alumni Conference aims to celebrate the achievements of Vietnamese who used to study in Australia, while exploring and promoting potential and opportunities for the bilateral partnership as well as enhancing linkages in a range of areas.

The conference will be divided into seven sessions covering health care reform, quality education, sustainable farming, regional economic integration, development environment, human resources training and shake-up of public sector.

Vietnam is current the third largest recipient of Australian Government-funded scholarships with nearly 400 each year.

Source: VNA/ Photo: vov.vn