Source: University of Waikato
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, has received a prestigious award from the Government of Vietnam, recognising his continued efforts in fostering collaboration between Vietnam and New Zealand, and the University of Waikato.
Professor Quigley was presented the Award of Merit for the Cause of Vietnam’s Education by the Minister of Education and Training, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Kim Son, during a meeting held with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính in Auckland this month.
Professor Quigley has played a pivotal role in nurturing educational ties between Vietnam and New Zealand for over two decades, and says he is honored that his work has been recognised in this way.
“My work on education links with Vietnam has produced some highly impactful institutional relationships, but what is most important is opportunities that these relationships have created for Vietnamese students and their families,” Professor Quigley says.
“I have met some truly inspirational Vietnamese students through these programmes, and I am sure I will meet many more through our future academic collaborations in Vietnam.”
During the meeting, the University of Waikato and several Vietnamese universities exchanged Memoranda of Understanding, including the renewal of the partnerships with Hanoi University and Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
They also signed two new cooperation agreements with Vinh University and Nam Can Tho University.
Waikato is the only university in New Zealand with a full-time bachelor’s programme in Vietnam, with two majors: Supply Chain Management and Digital Business, both of which are industries in need of high-quality human resources in Vietnam.
Prime Minister Chính the wish that the University of Waikato would expand its initiatives in Vietnam, including programmes in human resource development with Vietnam and consideration of opening a branch campus in Vietnam.
