AUT hosts Viet Nam – New Zealand Higher Education Skills Forum
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has hosted the Viet Nam–New Zealand Higher Education and Skills Forum 2026, bringing together senior government, university and education leaders from both countries to strengthen collaboration in education, skills, research and innovation.
The high-level forum was attended by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Viet Nam’s National Assembly, Tô Lâm, Viet Nam’s Minister of Education and Training, Hoàng Minh Sơn and New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, the Hon. Penny Simmonds. The forum also attracted representatives from 50 Vietnamese universities and vocational training institutions and New Zealand’s universities and polytechnics.
Held under the theme, Building a Shared Future: Talent, Innovation and Skills for the Future, the forum explored opportunities to build on the longstanding education links between Viet Nam and New Zealand.
In a keynote address, President Lâm said the forum reflected the growing depth of the Viet Nam-New Zealand relationship, with education and vocational training playing an increasingly important role in strengthening bilateral ties.
In opening the forum, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa, said the University was proud to host the forum and provide a platform for strengthening connections between the two countries’ education sectors.
“As our two countries continue to deepen their connections, education and skills development remain among the most effective ways to strengthen understanding, build prosperity and create lasting partnerships between people and institutions. The goals of this forum, to advance collaboration in tertiary education, skills development, research, innovation and talent mobility, speak directly to that shared aspiration,” Professor Salesa said.
“The dialogue that begins here, and the partnerships it helps strengthen, can create new opportunities for students, researchers and institutions, while contributing to sustainable growth, innovation and shared prosperity.”
Minister Simmonds said both countries are interested in how higher education can adapt to the rapid changes in technology, enhance human resource capacity, support economic growth, and create more opportunities for lifelong learning.
“New Zealand is working closely with Viet Nam to promote a sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and high-quality education system, particularly in areas such as accelerating digital transformation in education, lifelong learning, and education for sustainable development,” said Minister Simmonds.
AUT Director of International, William Ho, said the forum provided an opportunity to strengthen the University’s growing connections with Viet Nam and explore new forms of collaboration.
“For AUT, with our strong focus on applied education, innovation and working closely with industry, there is a natural alignment with Viet Nam’s ambitions,” William said.
“We want to create greater opportunities for students and researchers to move between our countries, undertake joint research, and develop programmes that have real impact in our communities.
‘We have much to learn from Viet Nam, its scale, its energy and its extraordinary pace of development. As our two countries continue to deepen their connections, education and skills development remain among the most effective ways to strengthen understanding, build prosperity and create enduring partnerships.”