1. VIETNAM – A COUNTRY THAT NEEDS SKILLS
Presentation by
Michael Mann
President, RMIT International University Vietnam

2. Vietnam – some critical facts
Population of 81 million to be 120 million in 2030;
Area less than half bigger in land mass than Victoria;
Population of Ho Chi Minh City is bigger than that of Victoria
1,000 years of history – many wars
Average income about $A500 p.a.
Size of the Economy $A48 billion or one quarter of that of Victoria. Exports make up half of the economy of Vietnam as whereas it is only 13% in Victoria
Growth rate 6% (last 10 years) – 6-7% predicted.

3. More facts
Number one exporter of pepper and cashews; number two in coffee and rice
65% of population under 20 years
Near 100% literacy
Of 1.2 million school leavers each year about 100,000 find university places.
Employment rates of university graduates well under 50%

4. RMIT in Vietnam
Only one foreign university in Vietnam, RMIT which opened in 2001 in Ho Chi Minh City and in 2004 in Hanoi.
1400 students – 10% foreign
60 corporate clients (including Nike, US Government, Sony, Nestle, Australia Federal Police)

5. Great needs for skills training and have forged links with William Angliss and Box Hill TAFE as RMIT did not have the requisite skills.

6. Opportunities Mainly unskilled workforce with a great work ethic
Good economic growth and substantial foreign investment
Australia has a great reputation in education and training

7. Major Obstacles to Vocational Training
Vocational studies are generally perceived as a panacea to assist disadvantaged group to earn a living
Targets are often ethnic groups, disadvantaged youth, HIV/Aids suffers,
Vocation training is the responsibility of Ministry of Labour not Ministries of Education or Commerce

8. Business
Lacks funding for training – chicken and egg – as there is limited quality training available training funding is not in budgets
Training is often seen as a reward for good service – especially when it involves overseas travel
Links between training and productivity not apparent due to variable quality of training
Foreign companies leading the way (e.g. Nike)

9. Solutions RMIT Vietnam has found some solutions
The Australian Wheat Board (AWB) has funded a Centre of Excellence in HCMC on the RMIT Campus
RMIT Vietnam is partnering with William Angliss to deliver Hospitality, Tourism and Food Processing Course

10. RMIT Vietnam - William Angliss courses

11. Other Solutions
Obtain funding for courses from third parties – World Bank, Asian Development Bank, etc. – a long process but worthwhile
RMIT Vietnam has just started a three year rolling program on its Hanoi campus for senior police from 13 countries funded by the Australian Federal Police

12. Opportunities
Too many – very easy to sign an MOU very difficult to sign a contract!
Must focus on funding mechanisms
Meet needs – clearly meet bottom line outcomes for companies – be able to measure these

13. Recommendations
Have honest and friendly people represent institutions – beware of local agents
Don’t be afraid to say NO
Build up relationships either by having someone on the ground or having the same person visit regularly
Do not expect any outcomes for two years – a sizeable investment

15. RMIT Vietnam progress to date
Started teaching in late 2001
First graduates all have good jobs, started own companies or have gone abroad for postgraduate study
Scholarships – Masters programs in Education and Research, English for Health Workers
1,400 students (10% non Vietnamese)
150 staff (100 academic staff – 80% foreign)
Offering seven undergraduate and two postgraduate degree programs

16. Working with other Vietnamese Institutions
Great interaction with Vietnamese universities – through building libraries in Hue, Danang, Cantho and Thai Nguyen – a program totalling in excess of $30 million