Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn (right) and Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the UK Department for Education Jacqui Smith agree to enhance cooperation across multiple education levels.— VNA/VNS Photo

LONDON — The UK will help Việt Nam train teachers, develop policies to establish English as a second language at schools by 2035 and integrate international education programmes into the Southeast Asian country’s education system.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn and Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the UK Department for Education Jacqui Smith, held as part of the official visit to the European country by Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

At the event, the two sides concurred to intensify cooperation across multiple education levels, encompassing universities, vocational training institutions, and high schools.

Besides, they will expand joint training programmes, enhance student and lecturer exchanges, and promote mutual recognition of academic credits.

Sơn and Smith reached consensus on the expansion of academic exchanges and the establishment of new partnership programmes, with a focus on such areas as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and aerospace technology.

Việt Nam welcomes British educational institutions to establish branches and operate effectively within its territory, while encouraging strengthened cross-border education cooperation aimed at positioning Việt Nam as a new international education centre.

Sơn said Việt Nam acknowledges the significant contributions of the British Council to the bilateral relations in cultural exchange and education.

Both sides agreed to facilitate the organisation's activities in accordance with Vietnamese legal frameworks.

Additionally, they were unanimous to push ahead discussions towards signing a new Memorandum of Understanding, creating a legal foundation to expand and implement cooperation programmes in the coming time.—VNA/VNS