The Deputy Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam, Prof. Nguyen Van Phuc, and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, have signed the Education Cooperation Agreement between the two countries for the period of 2024 to 2026. This agreement, originally signed in 1999, has been periodically extended, serving as a key framework for advancing collaboration in education and training, particularly benefiting Sri Lankan students, researchers, and academics. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi, Vietnam, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vietnam.
The agreement is comprehensive, facilitating the exchange of information on development and innovation, fostering cooperation between universities and academic institutions in both countries, and supporting academic exchanges, collaborative research, and long-term scholarships for students.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Nguyen Van Phuc underscored the vital role of education in the socio-economic development of any country, whether developing or advanced. He highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to education, noting its significant contribution to the country’s rapid economic transformation over the past two decades. Minister Phuc also pointed out that Vietnam now attracts over USD 30 billion in foreign direct investment annually and exports more than USD 360 billion, largely due to its highly skilled and adaptable workforce.
In his remarks, Dr. Mendis emphasized the remarkable economic transformation of Vietnam, achieved in a relatively short period of time. He noted that Vietnam’s GDP per capita has increased fiftyfold, from just USD 90 in 1990 to USD 4,500 today. Dr. Mendis also expressed his admiration for the proficiency in English among Vietnam’s younger generation, considering it a positive factor for the country’s future. He concluded by expressing deep appreciation for Vietnam’s support to Sri Lanka over the years, quoting Confucius: “Education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, and hope breeds peace.”
The Sri Lankan delegation included Minister Counsellor Kethma Rajapaksa Yapa and officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Hanoi, while the Vietnamese delegation comprised Director General Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh and senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam.
