On March 20, 2025, Foreign Trade University collaborated with Ernst & Young (EY) Vietnam Co., Ltd and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to hold a formal ceremony to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between the three parties at the Hanoi Headquarters, with the desire to continue expanding learning opportunities and professional development for students.

The event marked a new development in the cooperative relationship between the three parties, contributing to the promotion of high-quality training programs in the fields of accounting, auditing, and finance.

Attending the ceremony from Foreign Trade University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Huyen Minh – Head of theDepartment of Communications and Community Relations; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Anh - Dean of Accounting and Auditing Faculty; along with staff, lecturers, and students of the University.

Representing the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - the training partner, were Mr. Ren Varma - Director of ACCA for Continental Southeast Asia; Ms. Khuat Thi Lien Huong - Education Director of ACCA Vietnam; Ms. Le Thi My Hanh - Head of External Relations, Education Division, ACCA Vietnam.

From partner company EY Vietnam were Ms. Nguyen Thai Thanh - Deputy General Director of EY Vietnam, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Ha - Deputy HR Director of EY Vietnam, Ms. Sam Minh Hang - HR Assistant at EY Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong expressed her delight at the strong cooperation between Foreign Trade University and the two prestigious partners in accounting and finance. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong also shared that cooperation with organizations and businesses has always been a strength and one of the top priorities of the University to create a dynamic training environment, connected to practical needs, meeting the increasing demands of both domestic and international labor markets. Since the signing of the trilateral agreement in 2021, this strategic cooperation commitment has brought great benefits to Foreign Trade University students and lecturers, not only in terms of expertise but also opportunities to access experts and professional working environments in global accounting, auditing, and finance. Specifically, students enrolled in the ACCA professional-oriented Accounting-Auditing program at the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing, Foreign Trade University, are exempted from 5 ACCA subjects. In addition, professional and soft skills training workshops organized by EY Vietnam and ACCA, along with field trips to EY Vietnam, have helped students better understand the profession, expand their network with experts, and access internship and employment opportunities after graduation. In particular, EY Vietnam's Fast Track recruitment program has provided real job opportunities for many students from the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing.

Through this re-signing ceremony, Foreign Trade University wishes to further expand internship and career development opportunities, integrate ACCA-recognized courses into the curriculum, and continue cooperation with EY Vietnam to bring in-depth industry knowledge into the classroom. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong believes that in the future, achievements in training and professional development in Accounting and Auditing based on this trilateral cooperation will continue to reach new milestones to be proud of.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ren Varma said that during its 22 years in Vietnam, ACCA has contributed nearly 10,000 experts to the market in accounting, auditing, finance, and management. ACCA is extremely honored to participate in this promising cooperation agreement between the three parties through training generations of excellent students in Accounting and Auditing. This is also the clearest evidence affirming the quality that ACCA can bring to the labor market in Vietnam.

From partner company EY Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thai Thanh said that EY Vietnam always prioritizes cooperation with Foreign Trade University and ACCA. EY Vietnam highly appreciates the training quality and capabilities of Foreign Trade University students and commits to continue implementing professional support programs and creating job opportunities for students in the future.

According to the cooperation contents, the parties will continue to coordinate practical activities such as scholarship programs, specialized seminars, professional skills training courses, internship programs, and recruitment for students. This is a valuable opportunity for Foreign Trade University students to access international standards, enhance professional capacity, and develop careers in a global environment.

This event once again affirms Foreign Trade University's commitment to connecting closely with businesses, creating a solid foundation for students to develop and successfully integrate into the international labor market.

On March 14, 2025, in celebration of the International Day of Mathematics (IDM), Foreign Trade University collaborated with the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM) to successfully organize a sharing session on "The Colorful World of Optimization."

The guest speaker was Prof. Dr. Sebastian Pokutta, who currently serves as Vice President at Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) and Prof. at Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin, Germany).

Attending the event from VIASM were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Minh Ha - Executive Director of VIASM; Prof. Pham Tien Son - Member of VIASM Scientific Council, along with staff working at the Institute.

From Foreign Trade University, attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh - Dean of the Faculty of International Economics (FIE); Dr. Luong Ngoc Oanh - Vice Dean of FIE; Dr. Nguyen Van Tang - Vice Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Data Science; Dr. Hoang Ngoc Thuan - Head of the Advanced Programs - High Quality - Career Orientation and International Development Management Board, Department of Undergraduate Studies; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Thu Hien - Head of Development Board, Department of Undergraduate Studies. The event attracted great interest from many students, especially those passionate about optimization and its applications in science, technology, economics, and business.

During the session, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Pokutta guided students in exploring a "panoramic view" of optimization, one of the most important methods in science and engineering, while emphasizing the essential role of optimization in decision-making and solving practical problems.

The main content of the program focused on: History and foundations of optimization – The development of optimization from ancient times to modern algorithms today; Optimization in the world around us – Applications of optimization in nature, such as bird flight formations, honeycomb structures, or how trees optimize sunlight; Core optimization techniques – Common optimization methods like linear programming, nonlinear optimization, heuristic algorithms, and reinforcement learning. Additionally, Prof. Pokutta presented the Hadwiger-Nelson Problem - A space color optimization problem with many applications in mathematics and data science.

The discussion session was lively with questions and answers between the speaker and attending faculty and students revolving around the application of optimization in real-world contexts. Prof. Pokutta provided many practical examples from various industries, from supply chain management, transportation network optimization, to applications in finance and artificial intelligence, helping participants better understand the power of optimization across many fields.

The sharing session not only provided in-depth knowledge but also sparked curiosity and applied thinking about optimization for real-world problems. Hopefully, the valuable knowledge from the program will inspire students to continue exploring and applying optimization in their studies and future careers.

On March 14, 2025, the Implementation and Development Board of the i-HONS advanced program at Foreign Trade University organized a networking event between i-Hons advanced program students and alumni from the University of Queensland (UQ) in Hanoi.

The event featured speaker Nguyen Canh Binh - Chairman of the Board and Founder of Alphabooks; Ms. Le Nguyen Bao Khanh - President of the UQ Alumni Network in Hanoi, along with UQ alumni and students in Hanoi.

Representing Foreign Trade University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien - Director of International Affairs; Dr. Hoang Tuan Dung - Director of the FTUStudent Support Center, UQ Alumni; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Huong - Vice-Dean of the School of Economics and International Business; Dr. Cao Thi Hong Vinh - Head of the i-Hons Advanced Program Implementation & Development Board, along with staff, lecturers, and numerous i-Hons students.

At the beginning of the program, Associate Professor Dr. Cao Dinh Kien welcomed the speakers, UQ alumni, and delegates who took time to attend the event. Associate Professor Dr. Cao Dinh Kien also shared an overview of Foreign Trade University, the international cooperation programs implemented recently, and expressed hope that the program would serve as a bridge, strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two schools.

Continuing the program, Ms. Le Nguyen Bao Khanh shared valuable experiences and lessons from previous generations for the i-Hons students.

The passionate sharing from Mr. Nguyen Canh Binh, Chairman and Founder of Alphabooks, opened up interesting perspectives and ignited a spirit of daring to think and act among the students. His stories about the entrepreneurial journey, finding and connecting with talented collaborators and resources, and the challenges faced in entrepreneurship were profound and captivating. Mr. Binh also donated a Read Station book collection to provide i-Hons students with opportunities to access more valuable human knowledge. The discussion between representatives of the University units and Alphabooks was lively, suggesting directions for cooperation, learning support, training, and international cooperation between the two parties.

Also within the framework of the program, UQ Alumni members shared their learning experiences, insights about the UQ environment, internship opportunities, and Mentor/Co-teaching support available for i-Hons students. In the latter part of the program, students had the opportunity to network further with UQ Alumni, asking questions about career opportunities, future prospects, and next steps in the labor market in Vietnam's multicultural environment as well as in Australia.

On the morning of March 6, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Vice President of Foreign Trade University chaired a reception and working session with the delegation from the University of Regina, Canada.

Attending the meeting from the University of Regina were Mr. Haroon Chaudhry - Vice President for International Cooperation and Mr. Michael Liu - Head of International Relations and Cooperation Department.

Representing Foreign Trade University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien - Director of International Affairs; and University staff members.

During the meeting, representatives from both sides discussed the results of the student exchange program between the two universities. Foreign Trade University appreciates the partner's support for their students during the exchange period. At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives from both sides expressed their expectations for the potential development of cooperation programs, student exchanges in both short and long terms, and faculty exchanges between the two universities in the future.

Regarding the cooperation relationship with the University of Regina, since establishing their partnership in 2022, the student exchange program between the two universities has attracted significant student interest and participation.

(Enclosed with Decision No. 2660 /QĐ-ĐHNT dated 16/08/2023 by the President of Foreign Trade University)

1. Training objectives

1.1. General objectives

The program aims to train students to become graduates with professional competence, political qualities, professional ethics, community awareness, a solid foundation in foreign languages, good mental and physical strength to meet the demands of both the Vietnamese and international labor markets, and to be capable of taking on various positions in international business activities in general, and in logistics and supply chain management in particular.

1.2. Specific program objectives

PO1: Provide students with fundamental knowledge in economics, business, and management in international business activities;

PO2: Provide students with in-depth knowledge of LSCM to approach and solve issues related to LSCM specifically and international business in general;

PO3: Provide students with the necessary knowledge to develop decision-making and problem-solving skills effectively at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels to manage the flow of materials, finance, and information in the supply chain;

PO4: Students will accumulate skills in logical analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, multicultural understanding, and business ethics to effectively adapt to global business environment;

PO5: Students are trained to become responsible, active citizens who can easily adapt to the working environment.

2. Program learning outcomes

• Knowledge

PLO1: Apply basic knowledge of political science, social science, methodology, scientific worldview, information technology and other general education knowledge in working and researching;

PLO2: Apply knowledge in international business to solve business issues;

PLO3: Analyze economic and business issues in international business, as well as logistics and supply chain management practices;

PLO4: Examine specific activities in LSCM, such as inventory management; distribution system, warehouse management, transportation management, procurement management;

PLO5: Question knowledge to get FIATA diploma;

PLO6: Evaluate projects in the field of LSCM;

•  Skills

PLO7: Adapt to the international working environment in business and management;

PLO8: Demonstrate skillfully projects in the field of LSCM;

PLO9: Combine effectively ideas, theories and practical solutions in international business activities in general and LSCM in particular;

PLO10: Combine effectively lifelong learning and research skill, independent work and teamwork skills, communication skills, situation solving, etc to identify, analyze, synthesize, argue, and resolve issues in international business and LSCM;

PLO11: Formulate LSCM ideas in English skillfully (equivalent to level 5/6 of the Vietnamese Foreign Language Competency Framework issued with Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014 of the Ministry of Education and Training Train);

PLO12: Formulate informatics skills (according to Circular 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications).

• VAutonomy and responsibility

PLO13: Demonstrate the ability to overcome difficulties and challenges, be responsible for individuals and collective, and serve the community.

3. Curriculum Framework

On November 25–26, 2024, Foreign Trade University, in collaboration with the Asian Academic Accounting Association (FourA), successfully organized the 21st Annual International FourA Conference with the theme "Accounting and Economic Development in Emerging Markets in Asia."

The conference attracted over 100 delegates from nearly 50 educational institutions, organizations, and businesses both domestically and internationally. Notably, the conference featured nearly 40 speakers, including leading professors and researchers from over 30 prestigious universities in the United States, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries. Representatives from organizations and enterprises involved in Accounting and Auditing, such as ICAEW, SAPP, BISC, and universities like the National Economics University, Academy of Finance, Vietnam National University’s University of Economics, Quy Nhon University, and others, also participated.

Representing FTU at the opening ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Thuy – Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Nam – Head of the Department of Scientific Management; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs, alongside department heads, staff, and lecturers.

The FourA International Conference is a leading global academic event in Accounting and Auditing, particularly in Asia. This year, the conference addressed new opportunities and challenges for Asian economies, including technological transformation, increasing transparency demands, and the adoption of international accounting standards. With 77 rigorously peer-reviewed papers presented, the conference served as a high-quality academic platform offering recommendations for policymakers, educators, and businesses to reimagine the role of Accounting and Auditing in the modern era.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan expressed pride in FTU being chosen to host the 21st conference. He emphasized the vital role of Accounting and Auditing in a rapidly changing global and Asian economy, affirming that hosting this event aligns with FTU’s development strategy to become a leading university in Asia by 2030, with a vision toward 2040.

Keynote speeches included Professor Shahrokh M. Saudagaran – General Secretary of FourA and Professor at Washington Tacoma University, USA, who presented on "The Accounting Graduate Supply Crisis in the US: Causes and Possible Remedies," and Mr. Pham Hai Au – Director of Risk Assurance Services at PwC Vietnam, who discussed "Unlocking the Potential of Carbon Markets: The Impact of Carbon Credit Systems on Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation." Both presentations highlighted critical challenges and provided actionable solutions in their respective areas, sparking engaging discussions among participants.

The conference continued with 13 parallel sessions featuring 54 presentations on topics such as international accounting standards, sustainability reporting, and corporate governance. Emerging issues like the role of artificial intelligence in Accounting, carbon credit markets, and blockchain adoption in accounting systems were also actively discussed.

In her closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Anh – Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing at FTU, expressed hope for deeper research collaboration with FourA in the future. Professor Shahrokh M. Saudagaran commended the quality of the conference and extended his gratitude to FTU for its professional and successful organization.

The 21st International FourA Conference concluded with significant outcomes, reaffirming FTU’s position in fostering research and global academic connections.

On November 14, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President of Foreign Trade University, chaired a meeting with Ms. Freya Kaine, the newly appointed Education and Research Counsellor of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Accompanying Ms. Freya Kaine were Ms. Tran Le Ha – Deputy Director of Education and Research, and Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Van – Education and Research Project Officer at the Australian Embassy.

Representing FTU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President; Ms. Dao Thi Thu Ha – Deputy Head of the Department of International Affairs; and other staff of the university.

In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong warmly welcomed Ms. Freya Kaine and the Australian Embassy delegation, expressing FTU’s appreciation for their visit. During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong shared an overview of FTU’s development, its extensive network of international partnerships, and its collaboration with Australian institutions. Both sides also discussed the current context of higher education in Vietnam, as well as potential trends and opportunities for international cooperation, particularly between FTU and Australian partners.

Through the discussions, FTU representatives expressed their desire for continued support and collaboration from the Australian Embassy, especially with Ms. Freya Kaine, in advancing the university’s internationalization efforts in the coming years.

On November 13, 2024, H.E. Marcos Antonio Bednarski – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Vietnam, visited Foreign Trade University and gave a talk titled “Argentina's New Economic and Foreign Policies.”

The event aimed to provide students in the International Political Economy Program with insights into economic growth and development within the international relations context, as well as Argentina’s current economic and foreign policies.

Representing the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam were H.E. Marcos Antonio Bednarski and Mr. Tomas Alejandro Oyuela Marcovich – Secretary in charge of Politics and Cooperation at the Embassy.

Representing FTU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Van Trieu – Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Humanities, along with faculty members and students.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien emphasized the importance of the talk for students’ learning and research, noting that it would provide valuable knowledge on Argentina’s foreign and economic policies while strengthening understanding of Vietnam-Argentina relations.

During the session, Ambassador Marcos Antonio Bednarski presented a systematic overview of Argentina’s economic highlights, focusing on the country’s current economic and foreign policies and their impact on Argentina’s politics, society, and economy. He also discussed Vietnam-Argentina cooperation in recent years and opportunities for further exchanges and collaboration in various fields.

Following the Ambassador’s presentation, FTU students actively engaged in a lively Q&A session, asking questions about Argentina’s economic policies and strategic directions in the context of globalization. The open and friendly discussion offered students practical insights into Argentina’s economic and foreign policies and a chance to interact directly with the Ambassador and Embassy representatives, enriching their understanding and preparing them for future careers.

On November 15, 2024, the Faculty of Japanese Language at Foreign Trade University, with the sponsorship of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, successfully organized the “FTU Japanese Culture Day 2024.”

The biennial Japanese Culture Gala, organized by the Faculty of Japanese Language with the support of FTU’s Japanese Language Club, has become a valuable platform for students to exchange and learn about Japanese culture, targeting not only FTU’s Japanese language students but also students across Hanoi with an interest in Japan.

Attending the event, representing the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, were Ms. Kamitani Naoko – First Secretary and Director of the Cultural Information Center, Head of the Cultural Department; Mr. Nakashima Yusuke – Second Secretary; and Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko – Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam. The event also welcomed leaders of partner organizations and enterprises.

Representing FTU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Thuy – Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President; Mr. Nguyen Huu Dung – Secretary of the FTU Youth Union; Dr. Tran Thi Thu Thuy – Dean of the Faculty of Japanese Language; Ms. Bui Thi Loan – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Japanese Language; along with numerous faculty and students.

In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and connection as a foundation for collaboration and success. He affirmed FTU’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding as a core value.

Ms. Kamitani Naoko, in her welcome address, acknowledged FTU's efforts to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Vietnam and Japan. Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko expressed delight that Japanese culture and language continue to be embraced and appreciated by Vietnamese youth.

Under the theme “The Gateway to the Future,” students’ lively and creative performances reflected their love for Japanese culture and their determination to explore and overcome challenges. Earlier in the day, cultural activities like Yosakoi dance, tea ceremonies, Ikebana flower arranging, Origami, Aikido, Kendama, and Japanese cuisine attracted enthusiastic participation from both FTU students and visitors.

As the first university to teach Japanese in Vietnam since 1971, FTU’s Faculty of Japanese Language was honored in 2021 by the Japan Foundation for its outstanding contributions to Japanese language education, fostering mutual understanding, and enhancing Vietnam-Japan relations.

On November 13, 2024, the Vietnam-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (VJCC) at Foreign Trade University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hokuriku Bank, a key member of the Hokuhoku Financial Group (Japan), Vietnam Branch.

This event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration and exchange of development ideas between VJCC and Hokuriku Bank's leadership over the past year.

The event was attended by representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including Mr. Nishikawa Naotaka – Senior Project Formation Advisor, JICA Vietnam Office; representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), including Mr. Yuji Imamura – Investment Promotion Advisor, JICA Expert; and a delegation from Hokuriku Bank, including Mr. Hiroshi Nakazawa – Chairman of the Bank, Mr. Taichi Yamada – Chief Representative of the Bank’s Ho Chi Minh City Office, Mr. Kyousuke Hayashi – Deputy Director of the Bank's Kanazawa Branch, and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh An – Secretary of the Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Representing VJCC were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien – Director of VJCC; Mr. Yoneda Kazuhiro – Chief Advisor of the VJCC Project; and Ms. Tran Thi Kieu Minh – Deputy Director of VJCC.

The ceremony also welcomed representatives from enterprises and partners of Hokuriku Bank who are alumni of VJCC's KEIEIJUKU Program, such as Mr. Luong Quoc Anh – Executive Director of GK Logistics Vietnam.

Established in 1877, Hokuriku Bank is the largest regional bank in the Northwest of Japan, with 151 branches across Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures. The bank also boasts a robust network of Japanese and international corporate clients, including over 200 companies in Vietnam. Committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2019, Hokuhoku Financial Group aims to expand sustainable initiatives through collaborations like this partnership with VJCC.

The MOU emphasizes creating an environment for trade and business cooperation between entrepreneurs and local leaders, fostering multi-sector collaboration, particularly in digital technology and innovation. Through this MOU, Hokuriku Bank commits to acting as a bridge for Japanese businesses to connect with potential partners within VJCC's business community in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien expressed her appreciation for the amicable cooperation with Hokuriku Bank's leadership and expressed hope that the MOU would enhance the legal framework for partnerships between Vietnamese businesses in the KEIEIJUKU community and companies in Japan's Northwest provinces, bringing tangible benefits to both nations.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Hiroshi Nakazawa – Chairman of Hokuriku Bank – affirmed, “This MOU not only opens up new opportunities for our clients but also strengthens economic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan on a solid foundation.”

The event concluded successfully, adding a new milestone to VJCC’s efforts to expand international partnerships with Japanese organizations and businesses.