UK Ambassador to Viet Nam, Gareth Ward (left) and British University Vietnam's Rector Ray Gordon announce a scholarship worth VND700 million for the academic year of 2020. — VNS Photo Minh Huong

As Viet Nam’s only British university celebrated its 10th anniversary, the United Kingdom’s ambassador predicted it will grow and grow over the next decade.

UK Ambassador to Viet Nam Gareth Ward believes the future of the British University Vietnam (BUV) shines bright, and more and more students will receive a first class education.

Speaking at the anniversary, Ward said: “I will come back in 10 years’ time and I am sure the university won’t just have doubled in size, it will be four times bigger than now.

“I am sure we won’t just have these beautiful buildings here, there will be a whole series of buildings stretching as far as the eye can see and this university will be making a huge contribution to the future of Viet Nam.”

The ambassador’s comments were echoed by BUV Rector Ray Gordon, who told Viet Nam News: “We see a very optimistic future between the two countries.

“Vietnamese students are smart, creative and they have desire.

“We have students from all over the world sent here and the Vietnamese are sent to other campuses around the world.

“So, the students here are more and more international.”

The facility, in Hung Yen Province on the outskirts of Ha Noi, opened in 2009 and has partnerships with the University of London and Staffordshire University.

Ward added: “BUV brings hi-tech and interaction between students and teachers very effectively.

“I am impressed by the students, their energy and their willingness to participate in new things when they joined the activities with the embassy.”

Since graduating last year, former student Le Yen Linh is now a human resources manager with Italian insurance company Generali in Ha Noi.

She told Viet Nam News: “Even when I was a newcomer and graduate in the firm, my experiences from BUV helped me feel no fear expressing myself and my talents at work.

“I have been and always will be proud of being a BUVer.”

Deputy Chairman of Hung Yen Province’s People’s Committee Nguyen Duy Hung believed that higher education has played an important role in training high-quality human resources for the nation, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Established in Ha Noi in 2009, BUV expanded to a new $70 million facility in Hung Yen’s Ecopark.

The university offers 11 bachelor programmes and one MBA programme in English. — VNS