Australia helping Vietnam advance women in leadership
Today in Hanoi Australia has launched the Advancing Women in Leadership component of Aus4Skills - an Aus4Vietnam investment of the Australian Government. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 7 September between Aus4Skills and the Centre for Gender Studies and Women’s Leadership (GeLead) at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, followed by the launch of the Australia Awards Short Course - Women in Leadership Journey.
The MOU marks the start of cooperation activities between Aus4Skills and GeLead, a teaching, consultancy and research unit of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. The collaboration will strengthen GeLead’s skills in research and curriculum development, and mainstreaming gender equitable leadership within the Advanced Diploma in Politics at the Academy.
“Our collaboration with Aus4Skills on promoting gender equality will create long-term and far reaching impact since the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics is the national centre for training mid-level and high-ranking leaders and officials in Vietnam’s political system.” said Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Party Secretary, President of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.
“Australia is committed to supporting Vietnam to achieve its own gender equality objectives. Gender equality is a driving force for socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Through Aus4Skills, we are helping to increase the representation of women in political leadership and decision-making positions at all levels. Women and men will gain skills, knowledge and confidence to be leaders for gender equality.” said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Mr Craig Chittick.
The Australia Awards Short Course - Women in Leadership Journey launched today will be implemented by Flinders University and GeLead in both Australia and Vietnam. This ten-month program is an intensive learning experience for 19 participants who are female managers and lecturers from universities in the Northern Mountainous Region and their key stakeholders.
“I appreciate that my supervisor has supported me in attending this special program. When the journey ends, I believe that I will be equipped with new knowledge and skills that enable me to actively participate in decision-making at my university,” said Ms. Lo Thi Mai Thu, Vice Dean, Tay Bac University.
Aus4Skills is a five-year program providing support to Vietnam to achieve the shared goal that Vietnam can access and use high level professional and technical knowledge, skills and competencies to contribute to the country’s sustainable economic and social development.