Australian Alumni Gala 'Gathering Australian Spirit'

Prof. Tran Van Nhung, Vice Minister of Education and Training, VAFA President  Mr. Nguyen Phi Dung, Chairman of National Committee, Vietnamese Graduates from Australia Club (VGAC)
VGAC Chapter Chairmen
Representatives from Australian universities and sponsors
Distinguished guests and alumni

It is a great honour to be here tonight. This is the second time I have had the privilege of attending an Australian Alumni Gala event in Vietnam. It’s good to see familiar faces.

A strong emphasis on education and training co-operation is at the very core of Australia’s commitment to Vietnam. It is one of the most positive and effective contributions we can make to Vietnam’s national development.

It is a source of enormous pride to me as Ambassador that many alumni are now occupying important positions in Vietnam and helping to shape Vietnam’s future.
The people-to-people relationships which have developed as a result of our strong co-operation in these areas have helped to build partnerships and interaction between Vietnamese and Australians in business, scientific, cultural, and other fields.

You, the alumni of Australian educational institutions, are real, enduring ambassadors for Australia. Long after people like me have come and gone, you remain as a life-long bridge between our two countries and a point of reference for people who want to know about Australia.

During my year-and-a-half in Vietnam, I have been very impressed by how active the Alumni Club is. I have already met quite a few of you who are doing interesting work, further study, research, or running your own businesses. This event allows all members to up-date themselves on the Club’s activities and to identify future opportunities, using the diverse experiences of active members.

The indispensable networking opportunities, and the interesting social program that awaits you, make the Australian Alumni Gala an event not to be missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of Australian institutions, corporate sponsors, the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, and others who help make this event a success.

I would also like to pledge the Australian Government’s continuing support of the VGAC. This support is given most obviously through our major education channel, Australian Education International (AEI Vietnam). But the Embassy as a whole, and the other seven federal Government agencies represented in Hanoi, also stand ready to be sources of advice and help in our various areas of expertise.

The work which the VGAC does to keep alive your connection with Australia is something for which my Embassy colleagues and I admire you greatly. We appreciate it very much.

Please enjoy the Gala. Thank you.