Vietnamese educational institutions and EdTech companies are actively partnering with foreign universities and colleges to offer joint degree programs, access advanced curricula, and leverage innovative teaching methods, with a significant focus on fields like business, engineering, technology, and computer science, thereby improving the quality of education available to Vietnamese students and attracting foreign investment to the country; notable examples include collaborations with RMIT, Fulbright University Vietnam, British University Vietnam, and institutions from Japan and the US. Spanish institutions such as C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona, are certainly well disposed to the idea of big expansion in Vietnam.
In recent years, a growing number of education providers and investors across geographies have turned their attention to Vietnam’s education sector, particularly the EdTech market, which is well past its early stages of development. The Vietnamese government has actively supported e-learning initiatives, encouraging parents and students to embrace online education and digital learning resources. According to the PISA ranking released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Vietnam secured second place in Southeast Asia, coming just behind Singapore. The edtech companies certainly seem to have seen this as an encouraging trend.
The edtech market in Vietnam is valued at around 4 billion US dollars. There are multiple segments in edtech. The space known as ”Broad Online Learning Platform” is dominated by Kyna.vn, Unica, Edumall, Brands Việt Nam, Wikilady, Adabook, Testbank, Alada, etc. The Language Learning space in Edtech boasts of big ticket players such as Akira, Antoree, VOOA, Tienganh123, hellochao, TFlat, Leerit, Dekiru.vn, etc. Similarly, the Tech Learning space in Edtech has accommodated companies such as Code4Startup, CoderSchool, MClass, etc.
‘’The rise of educational technology (EdTech) companies in Vietnam presents a unique opportunity for international institutions, such as C3S Business School, to expand their reach by offering online and hybrid courses,’’ says Hiren Raval, CEO of C3S Business School, a top business school in Spain, adding, ‘’Vietnam’s fast-growing digital economy, an increasing number of internet users, and high demand for quality education create the ideal conditions for international institutions to explore partnerships and provide accessible education solutions.’’
‘’C3S Business School, renowned for its diverse portfolio of Master and Bachelor Program in Barcelona, and its stature as a top business school in Spain, can leverage this trend through various approaches including partnerships with local institutions or offering hybrid learning models that combine online education with campus immersion experiences,’’ asserts Dr. Maria Fernanda Dugarte, dean and director of Institutional Affairs at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
How in-country study of HEIs’ qualifications has become a trend post-pandemic: A C3S Case Study
Following regulatory changes to foreign investment in the education sector and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Vietnamese students opting to study at foreign universities in Vietnam or through joint training programs has seen significant growth. The introduction of a new decree easing regulations for foreign-funded schools allowed for increased student enrollment. This sector was further boosted during the pandemic, as many students and parents chose to pursue higher education at international universities with campuses in Vietnam, rather than studying abroad.
There are two main forms of partnerships between Vietnamese and overseas universities: international branch campuses and joint training programs between Vietnamese and foreign higher education institutions (HEIs). By December 31, 2021, Vietnam had 408 joint training programs with foreign HEIs. Of these, 186 programs were collaborations between private Vietnamese institutions and international partners, while 222 were run by HEIs licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training. Additionally, this count does not include 103 transnational education (TNE) programs in countries like Australia, France, Germany, and Japan. TNEs allow students to study in Vietnam while earning degrees from universities in these countries such as C3S, the top business school in Barcelona.
What EdTech Boom in Vietnam means for C3S?
Vietnam’s exponential rise in EdTech startups over the past few years is owing to the country’s commitment to digital transformation across sectors, including education. In 2021, EdTech in Vietnam attracted more than $100 million in investment, making it one of the most promising markets for education technology in Southeast Asia. As of 2022, approximately 70% of Vietnam’s population was connected to the Internet, and that number is expected to rise even further as the country’s digital infrastructure continues to improve.
Vietnam’s growing demand for education, particularly higher education, is another factor fueling the EdTech boom. Vietnamese students are increasingly looking for quality programs, not only in domestic institutions but also from international providers. ‘’This demand creates a perfect window for foreign business schools to enter the market, especially those that can offer flexible, hybrid, and online learning programs that fit with the needs of the local population,’’ says Prof Sarat C Das, director of research, collaborations and publications at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona, adding ‘’C3S Business School, with its established Bachelor and Master Program in Spain, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
Offering Hybrid Programs with Campus Immersion in Vietnam
One of the key opportunities for C3S Business School is to offer hybrid programs that combine online learning with campus immersion. Vietnamese students are increasingly seeking flexible learning options that allow them to balance their education with work and other commitments. ‘’By offering online coursework that can be completed remotely, followed by a campus immersion in Barcelona, C3S can provide students with the best of both worlds—convenience and the chance to experience life at a top business school in Barcelona such as C3S,’’ says Dr Aida Mehrad, head of academics at C3S Business School in Barcelona, a top business school in Barcelona.
Many international universities are already utilizing this model. For instance, C3S Business School offers its MBA in Barcelona a similar format, where students take online courses and then attend intensive modules on campus. This model allows international students to gain global exposure while minimizing the costs and time spent away from their home country. ‘’C3S Business School can adopt a similar approach, offering online and hybrid versions of its Master Program in Barcelona or Bachelor Program in Barcelona to meet the growing demand from students in Vietnam,’’ says Prof Eduardo Ortiz from C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
Partnerships with Local Institutions to deliver Programs in Barcelona
Another promising opportunity is for C3S Business School to form partnerships with local institutions in Vietnam. Through such collaborations, C3S can offer classroom-based courses in Vietnam while maintaining the same quality standards that have made it a top business school in Barcelona. These partnerships can take various forms, such as:
- Dual-degree programs: Where students complete part of their degree in Vietnam and the remainder at C3S in Barcelona. This model is already popular among European and American universities with partnerships in Asia. For example, the University of Queensland has a dual-degree program with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
- Faculty exchange and joint research: Another aspect of such partnerships could involve faculty exchange programs and collaborative research initiatives between C3S and Vietnamese institutions. This would help C3S Business School strengthen its academic presence in Vietnam, while Vietnamese universities benefit from international exposure and expertise.
- Campus extensions: Some international schools have even opened satellite campuses in Vietnam to serve the local student population. For example, RMIT University has a fully functioning campus in Ho Chi Minh City. While opening a campus might be a more resource-intensive option, it could be considered if demand in the region justifies the investment.
The Vietnamese government encourages foreign partnerships in education, which sets out regulations for international cooperation and investment in education. Under this framework, international institutions can establish partnerships or open local branches, provided they meet the required conditions, such as securing permission from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and ensuring the quality of education aligns with Vietnamese standards. ‘’C3S Business School could benefit from exploring these options to formalize its entry into the Vietnamese market,’’ says Bela Raval, admission head of C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
Several international business schools have successfully tapped into emerging markets by leveraging EdTech and forming local partnerships, and C3S can learn from these models.
C3S is taking a leaf out of University of Arizona’s partnership with Coursera
The University of Arizona has taken a proactive approach to digital education by partnering with online platforms like Coursera to focus on countries such as Vietnam. Through Coursera, they offer a variety of degree programs that students from around the world can complete online. This allows the university to reach a global audience, including students in countries like Vietnam, without needing a physical presence in each market.
C3S Business School, the top business school in Barcelona, is adopting similar strategies by partnering with multiple EdTech platforms to take its Master or Bachelor Program in Spain beyond its frontiers. ‘’By providing online options, now C3S targets Vietnam’s rapidly expanding pool of students seeking international education,’’ says Prof Renato Valer, faculty at C3 Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
C3S is modeling on Harvard Business School’s partnership with 2U
Harvard Business School (HBS) has partnered with the online platform 2U to deliver its online certificate programs. While HBS maintains its premium on-campus MBA, its online programs enable the institution to reach working professionals and international students who may not have the ability to attend in-person classes. This hybrid approach offers flexibility without compromising the institution’s reputation for academic excellence.
‘’C3S Business School, the top business school in Barcelona is adopting this model to provide an excellent opportunity to market its hybrid programs to Vietnamese professionals, many of whom are looking for flexible, career-oriented education without the need to relocate,’’ Dr. Fernando Velasquez Villalba, a senior faculty at C3 Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
Vietnam’s VinUni and Cornell University can prove to be an ideal template for C3S
A shining example of an international partnership in Vietnam is VinUni’s collaboration with Cornell University. VinUni, a newly established university under the VinGroup conglomerate, partnered with Ivy League institution Cornell to offer world-class education in Vietnam. This partnership covers curriculum design, faculty exchange, and joint research, significantly enhancing VinUni’s reputation.
‘’Inspired by this, C3S Business School, the top business school in Barcelona, currently explores similar partnerships with local Vietnamese universities to build its presence in the market,’’ Dr. Jose Bifano, a prominent academician and researcher and a visiting faculty at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
Challenges and Considerations for Partnership for C3S
‘’While the opportunities are vast, there are also challenges that C3S Business School must navigate as it expands into Vietnam,’’ Dr. Yelena V. Smirnova at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona, adding ‘’One key issue is ensuring that the quality of education remains consistent across all delivery methods, whether online, hybrid, or classroom-based. Vietnamese students are highly discerning, and any perceived drop in quality could negatively impact the school’s reputation.
Another challenge is navigating Vietnam’s regulatory environment. As mentioned earlier, foreign institutions need to adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), which can sometimes be a lengthy and bureaucratic process. However, the government has shown a strong willingness to collaborate with international institutions, particularly those that bring innovation and global perspectives to the local market.
Conclusion
‘’As Vietnam’s EdTech sector continues to grow, business schools like C3S have a unique opportunity to expand their reach by offering flexible, high-quality education to Vietnamese students,‘’ says Professor Xavier Puertas at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona, adding, ‘’By offering hybrid courses with campus immersion options and forming strategic partnerships with local institutions, C3S Business School can position itself as a leading provider of international business education in Vietnam.
Dr. Sergey Yablonsky at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona, says, ‘’With its strong reputation as a Top Business School in Barcelona and its comprehensive range of Master Programs in Barcelona and Bachelor Programs in Spain, C3S Business School is well-equipped to meet the needs of the Vietnamese market. ‘’ ‘’By seizing this opportunity, C3S can not only broaden its global footprint but also play a crucial role in shaping the future of business education in Vietnam,’’ adds says Professor Maud Christophe, who is known for popularizing gender equality in the business tech industry and faculty at C3S Business School, a top business school in Barcelona.
