In early July, Boise State and the National Economics University (NEU) in Vietnam renewed their “2+2” academic collaboration program, strengthening the institutions’ 30-year relationship. The program invites Vietnamese business students to study for two years in Hanoi and then two years in Boise to earn a Boise State degree.
A delegation from Boise State, including President Dr. Marlene Tromp and College of Business and Economics Dean Mark Bannister visited Hanoi to meet with NEU leaders, participate in the signing ceremony and meet with students about the program.
“Vietnam is an important partner for the US in both trade and world politics,” Bannister said. US companies are aggressively building partnerships in Vietnam, opening markets for products and services and developing manufacturing alternatives to China.
To increase alignment with Western nations, Vietnam recently mandated that all school-aged children begin learning English in the fifth grade. Boise State is an educational innovator, and our leadership is helping bring these two countries closer together through initiatives like the 2+2 program.”
The partnership brings Vietnamese students to complete their business degrees at Boise State. But first, students study at the NEU, earning their pre-business certificates in two years. Students then transfer to Boise State for two more years to complete their studies and earn degrees.
Since the 2+2 program began in 2016, a handful of students participated before COVID-19 halted the exchange. This visit was a joint effort to renew and revive the program.
Boise State’s relationship with Vietnam began in 1994 when Boise State Distinguished Professor Nancy Napier taught at NEU and helped establish Vietnam’s first MBA program. From 1994-1999, 84 Vietnamese government officials, businessmen and NEU faculty members earned Boise State MBAs. These graduates have gone on to leadership positions at NEU, received prestigious awards and created successful businesses.
During this most recent trip, Dr. Tromp and Bannister visited one of these businesses: the MK Smart Card and Vision factory in Hanoi’s industrial district. Boise State MBA Alum Nguyen Trong Khang founded the company, which produces smart government ID cards and develops mobile e-commerce transactions. Khang also provides a “Khang and Friends” scholarship to support Boise State students.
The two Boise State leaders also spoke at the NEU conference on international educational partnerships and research. They highlighted the university’s partnership with the NEU and engaged in a discussion about universities in a global world. Conference attendees included leadership from several Vietnamese universities, business leaders and the US Ambassador to Vietnam.
In addition, three Boise State MBA graduates recently received Vietnam’s most prestigious teaching recognitions. The president of Vietnam recognized Tran Thi Van Hoa and Tran Van Nam, dean of NEU law school, with People’s Teacher awards, and Bui Duc Tho as a worthy teacher.
