Experts call for scholarships, English programs to lure international students to HCMC

At a workshop in Da Nang on attracting international students this week, many experts highlighted Vietnam's low number of foreign students. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, approximately 22,000 international students study at over 120 universities across the country, accounting for just 0.5% of the total student population. This falls far short of the national goal of 5% by 2020.

In contrast, Singapore hosts 18% of its students from abroad, while Malaysia attracts around 170,000 international students.

To boost HCMC's appeal, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Dat, Head of International Relations at the University of Da Nang, proposed offering scholarships and financial aid. He suggested these could be funded by the state or local businesses.

Hoang Van Anh, Director of the British Council's Education Program, and Fleix Wagenfeld, Head of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Hanoi, both supported this idea.

Wagenfeld emphasized that scholarships and financial support are crucial for attracting international students.

He also stressed the importance of universities offering internationally accredited programs, alongside strong support services and a welcoming environment. Information about programs and living conditions should be made available in English to reach potential students, as most Vietnamese universities currently provide this in Vietnamese only.

Dat also suggested that HCMC become a hub for collaboration between universities and businesses, given that 23% of Vietnam's businesses are based in the city. This could lead to more opportunities for internships, employment, and infrastructure development.

Anh further recommended creating a favorable environment for foreign investment in the education sector, allowing international universities to establish a presence in Vietnam. She also proposed increasing the number of programs taught in English and other foreign languages.

A recent British Council survey of 150 international students found that fewer than half were enrolled in long-term degree programs. Most were on short-term exchanges, and students in long-term programs were concentrated in just five of Vietnam's 123 universities.

"This shows that only a few universities have the capacity to attract international students. To compete, Vietnamese universities must revise their internationalization strategies," Anh concluded.