On March 19, Vien Dong College welcomed and worked with representatives from the Department of Vocational Education and Continuing Education (under the Ministry of Education and Training), the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and the Vocational Education Development Centre (VDC). The meeting was also attended by more than 10 leaders from colleges and vocational schools nationwide that provide training for students with disabilities.

This working session served as an important opportunity for all parties to review their effective cooperation journey and to outline future directions for sustainable development in vocational education associated with gender equality and social inclusion (GEDSI).

Leaders of Vien Dong College take a commemorative photo with the delegation.

Leaving No One Behind

At the meeting, Dr. Phan Thi Le Thu, Permanent Vice Rector of the College, expressed pride that since 2018, Vien Dong College has been the only private institution selected by the Australian Government to participate in the Aus4Skills program.

This opportunity has not only enhanced professional capacity but also contributed to spreading humanitarian values of gender equality and social inclusion, especially for people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable communities.

With a strong commitment to the principle of “leaving no one behind,” Vien Dong College has proactively learned, implemented, and achieved remarkable results over the past eight years.

The College has gradually developed a barrier-free education ecosystem (GEDSI), applied advanced technologies such as VR/AR in teaching, and accessed specialized training programs from the project. A culture of equality and empowerment is clearly reflected in the high proportion of female participation across the system: 78% of lecturers in the 9+ department, 67% of the Board of Management, 60% of the Board of Directors, and 52% of the total staff. Notably, in Logistics – a key sector of the project – female students account for 52%, helping break gender stereotypes in technical fields.

The delegation visits a graphic design class with students with disabilities at Vien Dong College.

With a steadfast commitment to the educational philosophy of “inclusion without distinction,” Vien Dong College has created a comprehensive learning environment for students with disabilities. Currently, 21 students with disabilities are studying on campus, provided with maximum support to develop their abilities and participate in city-level vocational skill competitions. Inclusive admission policies, early scholarship support, and a non-segregated learning model enable full integration into the general learning environment.

The delegation visits the Automotive Department at Vien Dong College.

At the same time, the College has invested in synchronized, accessible facilities, including ramps, handrails along corridors, standard-compliant restrooms, convenient parking areas, and audiovisual equipment to support access to lectures. Together, these create a seamless “experience map” that empowers students with disabilities to study and live confidently.

Affirming the Position of a High-Quality College

Alongside its achievements, the College also candidly acknowledges challenges such as the pressure to expand specialized resources, high demands on lecturers in an inclusive classroom model, and hesitation from some enterprises in recruiting students with disabilities.

In this context, on March 11, 2026, Vien Dong College was officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training as a High-Quality College (Decision No. 535/QĐ-BGD&ĐT). Notably, it is the only private institution among the Top 10 colleges nationwide (out of more than 400 vocational education institutions) to receive this title—an important milestone affirming the College’s prestige and training quality.

Vien Dong College and the delegation had a meaningful working session.

Building on this foundation, Vien Dong College has proposed three strategic solutions: promoting a business ecosystem that welcomes students to ensure sustainable employment outcomes; establishing an Inclusive Education Center to enhance training capacity and replicate the model; and creating a Vietnam–Australia personalized support fund to help learners not only access education but also achieve long-term success.

Ms. Elisa, representative of the Vocational Education Development Centre (VDC), and Ms. Estrellita Boskovic, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, expressed their strong impression of and appreciation for Vien Dong College’s implementation efforts over the years, and their hope for continued collaboration within the Aus4Skills program.

Recognizing the College’s efforts, Ms. Le Thi Hang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Vocational Education and Continuing Education, highly praised the implementation of Aus4Skills at Vien Dong College, emphasizing the harmonious integration of modern approaches and humanistic values. She affirmed that these achievements not only deserve the High-Quality College title but also serve as a model to be shared and replicated across Vietnam’s vocational education system, contributing to the advancement of equality and social inclusion nationwide.