Planned Vietnamese university looks to ASU as model

On Oct. 14, Madame Ton Nu Thi Ninh, former Vietnamese ambassador to the European Union and Brussels, and former vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly in Vietnam, visited ASU as part of an initiative by the Tri Viet University Project to establish an international university in Ba Ria-Vung Tau (southern Vietnam).

Tri Viet University is being planned as Vietnam’s first “green” university – a quality, private institution dedicated to public service.

Ninh’s visit to the Tempe campus and SkySong , a direct follow-up to the visit of an ASU Global delegation to Vietnam in September, focused on the success of ASU’s transformation into a New American University, seeking both an overview of ASU’s direction and strategy as a possible model for Tri Viet, and exploring potential areas for future collaboration.

“Unlike visitors from established universities, Madame Ninh is building a new university and seeking mentorship and collaboration from ASU,” says Karl Theisen, associate director for business planning in ASU’s Policy and Strategic Partnerships office. “This is unique in that there are not many places around the world building new universities, and noteworthy because she came to ASU for input based on our success.”

Ninh met with President Michael Crow to discuss joint efforts in Vietnam’s ongoing higher education reform initiative and to explore additional collaborations with ASU in the areas of climate change adaptation and sustainability. Potential for developing future exchange programs with both academic and non-academic institutions in Vietnam was also discussed.

In addition, her agenda included meetings with representatives of key ASU academic and administrative units, as well as the ASU Foundation and officials from SkySong and the office of Gov. Janet Napolitano.