Some 70 distinguished guests and alumni joined the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Mr Craig Chittick, for the launch of the Australian Alumni in Vietnam Strategy in Hanoi on 20 December 2016. The Strategy was developed to roll out in Vietnam Australia’s Global Alumni Engagement Strategy, launched in April 2016.
Australian alumni and guests join Australian Ambassador HE Mr Craig Chittick for a group photo at the launch of the Australian Alumni in Vietnam Strategy 2016 – 2021 on 20 December 2016 in Hanoi. Photo: Le Lai
Mr Chittick noted there were around 50,000 alumni in Vietnam who had studied at Australian education institutions. “These alumni represent a wealth of knowledge, expertise and influence”, he said. “The development of the Australian Alumni in Vietnam Strategy goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to further strengthen ties between Australia and Vietnam. We aim to contribute to Vietnam’s future peace and prosperity, not only in business and trade, but also through our long term partnerships in economics, security and innovation.”
At the launch, Mr Chittick also granted a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr Doan Duy Khuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one of the two Australian Global Alumni Ambassadors for Vietnam.
Australian Ambassador HE Mr Craig Chittick grants the Certificate of Appreciation to Dr Doan Duy Khuong, one of the two Australia Global Alumni Ambassadors for Vietnam. Photo: Le Lai
A contemporary dance performance was arranged for the event by an Australian alumnus, Dr Pham Anh Phuong, Director of the Vietnam Opera and Ballet Company. The founder and CEO of TOONG Co-working Space, the lunch venue, is also an Australian alumnus, Mr Do Son Duong.
A modern dance performance was arranged for the event by an Australian alumnus, Director of the Vietnam Opera and Ballet Company, Dr Pham Anh Phuong.
The Vietnam Strategy’s mission is to strengthen and grow a network of Australian alumni in Vietnam that will provide new connections and better networks and opportunities for alumni, which all partners can leverage.
Its objectives are: promoting Australian excellence as a provider of high quality, innovative education, training and research; building a network of active leaders and advocates of mutually beneficial bilateral interests and viewpoints; supporting Australian foreign policy, public diplomacy, development cooperation, business and trade initiatives, and improving coordination and efficiency across all partners in relation to alumni engagement in Vietnam.
Education is at the heart of the Australia Vietnam bilateral relationship. There were 21,807 Vietnamese students studying in Australia in 2015.