At a reception in Ho Chi Minh City on 15 July, representatives from the University of Westminster and the British Consulate welcomed the first scholars admitted to the ‘Learn, Earn and Return’ programme: a unique global knowledge exchange partnership between the University and the Hong Anh Medical Campus (HAMC) of Vietnam.
The reception celebrated the creation of innovative knowledge exchange between the UK and Vietnam, and gave the new scholars a key opportunity for orientation.
Alongside the University of Westminster and the British Consulate, the Department for International Trade Vietnam; the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong; the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Healh; Real Capital London; Hong Anh Healthcare Investment JSC; and Phu Nam Long Land JSC were in attendance, joined by around 100 guests.
Professor Brendon Noble, Head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster, said: “The School is delighted to be contributing to the work of the Hong Anh Medical Centre. We believe that our London based course will be transformative to Vietnamese healthcare and science professionals through the opportunity to build leadership qualities, research talents and a genuine global perspective. The chance for students to work within a UK health and social care setting is a great opportunity that will underpin an international understanding that will benefit colleagues back in Vietnam upon return. We are genuinely excited to be involved in this programme.”
Students on the work-based programme will study on the Integrative Health and Wellbeing with Professional Experience MSc at Westminster. Trainees are recruited in Vietnam, trained in Vietnam and at Westminster, and experience professional life in UK healthcare facilities, before returning to work on the Hong Anh Medical Campus.
The first year of the programme at the University of Westminster, launching in September 2022, will see two scholars joining the University for a year, with up to 60 more scholars joining afterwards.
The Hong Anh Medical Campus is being developed under British standards to provide healthcare for the people of Vietnam, in response to Vietnam’s development as a lower middle-income country, where ageing population is rapidly increasing.
One of the first new scholars, Dustin, said: “This training program is a fantastic opportunity for me to attain a better education in a developed country like the UK and learn about the needs and requirements of the professional workplace. The knowledge and skills I gain in the UK will contribute to building international standard hospitals and clinics in Vietnam and help improve the community's health and quality of life.”
Jordan Scammell, Head of Development at the University of Westminster, said: "It's been wonderful to visit with our friends and partners in Vietnam to launch our international scholarship programme. Meeting Dustin and hearing his hopes, ambitions and gratitude for this life-changing opportunity has been humbling. With an international outlook, this programme epitomises our commitment to supporting students across the globe to excel and thrive."
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