Dr. Kambiz Ghawami, President of the World University Service of Germany, anticipates that the upcoming visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Vietnam will strengthen overall collaboration, particularly in education, a crucial factor for prosperity in both countries. Ghawami, in an interview, highlighted the long-standing cooperation in higher education between the two nations, which has flourished over many decades. Over the past decade, the number of Vietnamese students in Germany has grown significantly from 2,717 in 2013 to the current figure of 7,600, excluding thousands of other Vietnamese with German passports. In contrast, the number of German students in Vietnam remains limited, at less than 50 per year. Ghawami emphasized the need for more information and incentives to transform Vietnam into an appealing education destination.
One advantage is that the VGU has regularly welcomed German students from its partner universities in Vietnam through training cooperation programs. Such programs play a crucial role in increasing the presence of German students in Vietnamese universities, providing them with opportunities to familiarize themselves with the Vietnamese people and culture, according to Dr. Kambiz Ghawami. He sees the VGU, established in 2008, as a significant contributor to the modernization of Vietnamese universities, ultimately boosting the country's scientific competitiveness globally. Ghawami mentioned Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who, in 2008 as the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, participated in signing the declaration for the establishment of the VGU. Steinmeier acknowledged the VGU as a forward-looking collaborative project that captures the attention of younger generations, fostering bilateral ties.
According to Dr. Kambiz Ghawami, the VGU can be likened to a "lighthouse project". From its establishment, it has aimed to function as a distinctive link connecting Vietnam and Germany, aspiring to position itself as a leading research university in Southeast Asia. Collaborating with partner universities, the VGU is engaged in joint projects of significance at the national, regional, and global levels. Emphasizing the significance of President Steinmeier's visit in the realm of educational cooperation, Ghawami highlighted the numerous similarities between the two countries and their longstanding ties in education. He underscored the need for increased investment in education, considering it vital for national prosperity. Germany is renowned for its technical expertise, while Vietnam is known for its creativity. Ghawami suggested that leveraging the strengths of both nations in education, research and innovation would be mutually beneficial.
