At a broad level, the SMU Overseas Centre Ho Chi Minh City (SMU’s OCHCMC) will seek to deepen existing partnerships and collaborations while forming new ones with local academic institutions, businesses, and government agencies. These collaborations will facilitate student mobility, and facilitate knowledge exchange.

SMU President Lily Kong delivers the Welcome Remarks at the official launch of the SMU Overseas Centre Ho Chi Minh City

Student mobility is vital for extending the horizon of learning for both Vietnamese and Singaporean students. This enriches cross-cultural understanding and broadens the horizons of young individuals, offering fresh experiences that they will keep for life. SMU’s OCHCMC will oversee these student mobility initiatives.

In response to the growing need for skilled workers in technology and sustainability, SMU’s OCHCMC is dedicated to building a talent pipeline that meets these demands.

The Centre will also organise discussions and various activities to encourage sharing of knowledge. These events may be open to the public or exclusive, and they will strive to introduce advanced research and expertise in fields like sustainability and digital transformation to aid the social and economic growth of local communities. Through these efforts, SMU’s OCHCMC aims to collaborate with local educational and industry allies to bolster Vietnam's pursuit of a sustainable and knowledge-based future.

SMU President Lily Kong said: “Through the Overseas Centre in Vietnam, SMU hopes to be able to extend SMU’s unique brand of holistic and transformative education to a broader base of Vietnamese students. We aim to create a hub of knowledge and innovation that not only benefits our students but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of Vietnam.”

SMU has maintained a longstanding partnership with Vietnam through its International Advisory Council (IAC), which was set up to guide and advise the university on the direction and approaches to strengthen and deepen SMU’s collaboration and engagement with the government, academic and business communities of Vietnam.

The Vietnam chapter of SMU International Advisory Council includes senior representatives from leading Vietnamese organisations such as Unigroup, Vingroup, and Indo-Trans Corporation.

Over the years, SMU has also formed numerous strategic partnerships with Vietnamese universities and corporations. SMU has close partnerships with three respected universities in Vietnam, including Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC), Vin University (VinUni), and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH).

Its close relationships with the local universities have made possible many student exchanges, faculty missions, professional and continuing education programmes, experiential learning (SMU-XO) courses, and case writing projects.

Through its partnerships with local companies, SMU has also been able to offer its students a wide range of global exposure programmes to develop in them a global mindset. They include Overseas Community Service Projects, internships, short-term study programmes, Global Summer camps, and SMU-X Overseas courses.

Over the last 5 years, more than 1200 students have participated in these global programmes involving its partners in Vietnam, either virtually or onsite. To date, SMU has partnered more than 500 companies in Vietnam for student internship opportunities. According to SMU President Lily Kong, SMU will continue to offer scholarships and grants for eligible Vietnamese citizens to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at SMU.

“We believe that SMU, through its Overseas Centre and together with our partners, can make a contribution to Vietnam’s social and economic development, while deepening the understanding, collaboration and trust, between our two countries.” she added.