BUV stands at core of UK-Vietnam educational partnerships: Lord Mayor of London

BUV hosted the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, at its campus on Sept. 19.

The visit was part of his 4-day business trip to Vietnam to set out the U.K.’s support for Vietnam’s ambition to develop a new international financial center (IFC). It was also the Lord Mayor of the City of London’s first official visit to the country in a decade.

The delegation, led by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, the Lord Mayor of the City of London and Rector of the City, the University of London, and British Embassy Hanoi representatives, was welcomed by Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, for a campus tour and to engage with BUV’s leadership, faculty, and students.

They gained a closer look at the university’s academic offerings and learning environment.

Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli interacting with BUV’s students in the Finance and Computer Games Design & Programming programs. Photo courtesy of BUV

During his visit, the Lord Mayor of London delved into the key facets of BUV, including its academic approach, British-style education, and modern facilities.

He also interacted with students to understand their experiences, all within the university’s framework aimed at educational excellence.

The students shared their outstanding projects and discussed market trends with Lord Mayor of London, gaining insights into global financial systems and the gaming industry’s growing influence on the economy.

Directly engaging with students in a practice session of the International Hospitality Management program, where classes often explore the rich culinary traditions of different cultures around the world, the Lord Mayor of London joined them in making traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.

He was impressed by the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine and remarked on how food, much like education, has the power to bring cultures together.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London visits the construction site of BUV’s Phase 2B expansion project. Photo courtesy of BUV

The major also visited the construction site of BUV’s Phase 2B expansion project. This phase, which can accommodate 5,000 students, is expected to be completed in early 2025.

A sports complex and academic building with multifunctional classrooms and a large auditorium, designed to meet the needs of study, physical fitness, and relaxation for students, will be completed by 2025, featuring harmoniously arranged indoor and outdoor spaces, including landscaped gardens, walkways, and outdoor seating areas set amidst a natural landscape.

During the sessions with BUV’s outstanding students, the Lord Mayor of London received numerous questions from the students, covering topics such as his leadership philosophy, his perspective on diversity, and its role within a university.

He shared valuable insights and advice, drawing on his experience as a politician, an educational leader, and a seasoned mentor, providing the students with guidance and perspectives.

Answering the question about how the Lord Mayor of London, as a representative of the people of London, effectively amplifies their voices and advocates for their interests, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli shared his approach to inclusive leadership, emphasizing the importance of open communication, active listening, and creating platforms for meaningful dialogue to ensure that every segment of the community feels represented.

He emphasized that pedagogy moves from the known to the unknown, which resonates with BUV’s core value of continuous learning and relearning, promoting an ongoing cycle of growth and adaptability in education.

Answering questions from a LGBTIQ+ student club member about promoting diversity at the university, he praised the student’s leadership and the university’s efforts in fostering inclusivity, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in creating a supportive, thriving community for all.

In addition to this visit, the Lord Mayor of London met intimately with BUV’s scholarship winners, hearing them share their aspirations and academic journeys.

He offers them words of wisdom, emphasizing the opportunities they have at BUV to gain a world-class education without having to leave their home country.

In conclusion of the visit, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli said: “Education has always been a critical part of the U.K.-Vietnam relationship.”

According to the Lord Mayor of London, Vietnam is one of the five countries prioritized by the U.K. government under the international education strategy.

“The U.K. has more transnational education partnerships than any other international partner in Vietnam, and BUV is almost core to that,” he added. “This wonderful new model allows students to access U.K. education from home and make connections.”

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, emphasized how the visit reflects the growing bond between British higher education and Vietnam’s academic development.

“BUV is at the forefront of educational diplomacy between the U.K. and Vietnam. This visit by The Lord Mayor of the City of London validates our mission to deliver the highest standards of British education in Vietnam,” said Professor Rick Bennett.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London’s visit affirmed the U.K. government’s commitment to the operations of a British international university in its partner country, Vietnam, reinforced the U.K.-Vietnam educational partnership, and highlighted BUV’s commitment to delivering authentic British education within its facilities.

British University Vietnam (BUV) is the first and only institution in Vietnam to achieve a 5-star certification from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and the first university in Vietnam and ASEAN to be awarded global quality accreditation by QAA, two of the most recognized accreditations for higher education quality in the world. See more information about BUV here.