On the afternoon of March 11, at the Binh Duong Provincial Administration Center, Mr. Bui Minh Tri, Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee, welcomed and held discussions with a delegation from the University of Southampton and Navitas Group. The delegation was led by Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice President International & Engagement at the University of Southampton, to explore collaboration opportunities in education and training.
During the meeting, Vice Chairman Bui Minh Tri noted that as of February 15, 2025, Binh Duong had secured 4,430 foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of nearly USD 42.5 billion. Among them, the United Kingdom ranked 23rd out of 65 countries and territories investing in Binh Duong, with 21 projects and a total investment exceeding USD 127 million.
In the field of education and training, Binh Duong is focusing on developing a high-quality, skilled workforce. The province aims to build an open, modern, and advanced education system with structures and methodologies aligned with local realities. This includes ensuring interconnectivity, providing high-quality educational services that meet international standards, and fostering the comprehensive development of learners. Binh Duong also seeks to harmonize public and private education systems for balanced growth.
Professor Andrew Atherton shared that the University of Southampton is a founding member of the Russell Group, which is the UK’s association of leading universities, and a world top 100 university. Southampton is a “triple helix” institution, in that it brings together outstanding education with world-leading research and nationally leading knowledge exchange and enterprise. It is renowned for its world-leading research in many areas including AI, computing, fiber optics, marine and oceanography, medicine and healthcare.
Additionally, Navitas Group was established in 1994 in Perth, Australia. Navitas has more than 30 years of experience in international education and provides education to 56,000 students from 130 countries annually through a network of 100 colleges and campuses globally.
Professor Andrew Atherton expressed his hope that this visit would help the University of Southampton, in collaboration with Navitas Group, explore investment and educational partnership opportunities in Binh Duong, particularly in training a skilled workforce for the province.
Vice Chairman Bui Minh Tri welcomed the University of Southampton’s initiative and reaffirmed Binh Duong’s commitment to supporting the university in developing training programs for high-quality human resources. This collaboration is designed to meet the province’s needs for development and global integration.
Reported by Minh Duy-Translated by Kim Tin
