22,000 international students studying in Vietnam, too low compared to the Government's target

The number of international students studying in Vietnam is still too low compared to the Government 's target of attracting about 66,000 international students by 2020.

Many domestic and foreign scientists attended a scientific conference to attract international students and lecturers to study and work in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) on the morning of December 5 - Photo: TRAN HUYNH

The above information was announced at a scientific conference to attract international students and lecturers to study and work in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) on the morning of December 5.

International students make up just over 0.5% of the total student population.

Total number of international students studying in Vietnam over the years

According to Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Dat - Head of the Department of External Relations of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), by 2023-2024, there will be about 22,000 foreign students in Vietnam.

Currently, there are more than 120 highereducation institutions nationwide, so each school has an average of about 42 international students. Of these, about 4,000 students come from Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar under bilateral agreements.

Students in short-term programs mainly come from Korea, China, Singapore, Philippines, and France.

Long-term exchange students include: Laos, Cambodia, China, Korea, Singapore.

Number of international students studying long-term programs in Vietnam

Number of international students studying short-term programs in Vietnam

The fields with the most international students studying in Vietnam are Vietnamese language, culture, politics... Most international students are studying at university. The number of international students studying postgraduate programs in Vietnam is very small.

"Thus, compared to the Government's target of attracting international students (in 2020 with 3%, about 66,000 international students, of the total number of students), the current number is still too low.

The number of international students currently accounts for only about 0.5% of the total number of university students nationwide," said Mr. Dat.

Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Dat - Head of External Relations Department, University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) presented at the conference - Photo: TRAN HUYNH

International education quality accreditation to attract international students

According to Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Ky Phuong Ha - Vice Principal of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), by 2023, the school had attracted 160 international students.

There are many forms: full-time study, credit exchange, cultural exchange and special programs conducted at the request of the partner.

Compared to the total student population of the university, the number of international students accounts for less than 1%. However, compared to the average number of universities nationwide, the number of international students at the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) is higher.

Number of international students studying at University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University)

Building an English ecosystem in school

Sharing his experience in attracting international students, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Dat said that recently the school has focused on developing training programs in English and joint programs with prestigious universities.

The school determined that in order to attract international students and gain the trust and recognition of partner schools, it must improve the quality of training. Therefore, the school focused on implementing educational quality accreditation to achieve international educational quality accreditation certification.

The school also builds an English ecosystem in the school. At the same time, it promotes scientific research and innovation activities, especially the policy of supporting international publications to invite scholars to the school, thereby attracting international students.

In addition, the school also improves the quality of R&D and innovates international cooperation development.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/22000-sinh-vien-quoc-te-hoc-tap-tai-viet-nam-qua-thap-so-voi-muc-tieu-cua-chinh-phu-20241205104945892.htm