Opportunities for Hoa Binh University Students to Study and Intern in Bulgaria from 2025 to 2030

On the morning of November 25th, in Hanoi, following the official visit program to Vietnam by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the President of the Council of Rectors of Bulgarian Universities, the Vice President of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association (BUBSPA), along with former leaders of the National Tourism Administration and experts, visited and signed a cooperation agreement with Hoa Binh University.

Regarding the distinguished guests, there came Professor Minglena Temelkova, President of the Council of Rectors of Universities in Bulgaria; Dr. Zhivko Ivanov, Vice President of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association (BUBSPA); Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, former President of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association, former Deputy Director-General of the National Tourism Administration, member of the Advisory Board of the Vietnam Tourism Association; and Mr. Le Van Ha, Vietnam-Bulgaria expert.

From HBU, there attended Dr. Nguyen Van Ngu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees cum Director-General of the Education and Health Development Investment Board of Sovico Group; People’s Teacher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. To Ngoc Hung, University President; Prof.Dr.MD. Trong Duc Nguyen, Vice President, along with the leadership of various units including the School of Business Administration, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Tourism, Faculty of Information Technology, Institute of Scientific Studies, Institute of International Training, as well as a large number of former Bulgarian students currently working at the university and outstanding tourism students of the University.

In accordance with the priorities of the Vietnam-Bulgaria cooperation, trade and investment have been identified as crucial pillars. Leveraging existing cooperative mechanisms and effectively implementing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are key objectives. Proactive collaboration between educational institutions and businesses in aligning training programs with industry needs is fundamental. Higher education focused on practical applications, innovative workforce training, and enhanced investment cooperation in Bulgaria’s key sectors such as tourism combined with healthcare, health care services, information technology, and supporting industries … are essential aspects of this strategic partnership.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Nguyen Van Ngu warmly received the delegation of leaders from the Council of Rectors of Universities in Bulgaria and the leadership of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association (BUBSPA). As of November 2024, Hoa Binh University currently has approximately 20 Bulgarian alumni who are actively working and holding key positions within the leadership and management team. From the perspective of the Chairman of the University Council at Hoa Binh University and concurrently the Head of the Education and Health Development Investment Board at Sovico Group, Dr. Ny believes that the direction of developing tourism combined with healthcare, incorporating physical and mental health care, is a sound strategy that meets market demands.

Prof. Minglena Temelkova, President of the Council of Rectors of Universities in Bulgaria, echoed the sentiments of President Radev, summarizing the achievements and affirming the efforts of the higher education systems of both countries throughout their shared history, yielding significant outcomes. During the early period, Bulgaria provided material and moral support to Vietnam in the struggle for independence and post-war reconstruction. From 1972 to 1989, over 30,000 Vietnamese individuals worked in Bulgaria, with 5,000 receiving degrees from Bulgarian universities. Temelkova emphasized that these historical figures, both at the national level and the practical demonstration at Hoa Binh University, underscore the enduring relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria. She affirmed that Bulgaria’s investment in Vietnam’s youth and development aspirations represents a valuable investment in the future generation. To concretize educational collaboration, universities can jointly train students in promising fields to effectively serve the future.

People’s Teacher, Assoc. Prof.Dr.To Ngoc Hung, the Principal of the institution, introduced the establishment and development process of Hoa Binh University along with three key highlights in its developmental journey. Firstly, Hoa Binh University strives to evolve into a university structured with constituent member schools. Secondly, there is a strong emphasis on fostering innovation and creativity as a pervasive spirit within research and educational activities. Thirdly, the university takes tourism as the starting point for collaboration with Bulgarian partners, integrating with information technology, engineering technology, and business management…

Acknowledging the three key highlights in the development trajectory of Hoa Binh University, Dr. Zhivko Ivanov, Vice President of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association (BUBSPA), has proposed a three-month internship program in Bulgaria for tourism students from Hoa Binh University. Dr. Ivanov shares insights with tourism students, particularly the young generation of Vietnam, regarding their academic and professional journey. “Today’s youth often desire instant realization of their aspirations. This serves as a significant motivation for development. However, I also wish to convey the message that focusing on education, perseverance in training, is crucial for securing a stable future career,” he stated. Dr. Ivanov commits to supporting Hoa Binh University in the field of tourism in Bulgaria and establishing connections with partners, including educational institutions and businesses in Hanoi.

TBased on a shared vision and collaboration plan, during the afternoon session on the same day, the Principal of Hoa Binh University and the Vice President of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association signed a cooperation agreement, opening up opportunities for students of Hoa Binh University to study and intern in Bulgaria from 2025 to 2030. In addition to collaboration in tourism, travel, and hotel management, Hoa Binh University continues to seek opportunities to partner with Bulgarian educational institutions and businesses in information technology, business management, e-commerce, logistics and supply chain management, engineering technology, with a special focus on healthcare and elderly care, combining relaxation and medical services…

To sum up, aligning education with business needs and combining higher education with commerce and investment is also one of the main purposes of the high-level visit taking place from November 24-28, 2024, by President Radev in Vietnam. This strategy is being progressively realized in the developmental journey, reflecting the aspirations for innovation and creativity of Hoa Binh University.

The working program of the Bulgarian delegation at Hoa Binh University concluded successfully at 19:00 on the same day ./.

News: IIE-HBU

Photo: TS&TT

Other activities of the delegation from the Council of Rectors of Universities in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Association (BUBSPA) at Hoa Binh University: