The university is the next step in the existing Fulbright Economics Teaching Programme, a public policy master’s programme that the Ash Centre of the Kenney School of Government under Harvard University established in 1994 in co-operation with the HCM City-based University of Economics.
Formed under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 819/QĐ-TTg dated May 16, 2016, the university is scheduled to open at the end of 2016 with the first courses to be offered by the department of public policy and management.
The university plans to open a department of social sciences and humanities in 2018.
With an initial investment of US$70 million, the FUV will build its headquarters in the HCM City Hi-Tech Park.
Addressing the event, Dinh La Thang, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, described the establishment of the university as an important event and a step forward in the relationship between Vietnam and the US.
As the nation’s leading centre in various spheres, including education and training, HCM City desires to become a financial, scientific and technological centre in Asia-pacific, the official stressed.
He added that the experiences of the US have proven that the quality of human resources is decisive to prosperity and is the key for his city to meet targets.
The city has pinned high hopes on the success of the FUV, not only in terms of education but also in strengthening connectivity and mutual understanding between the two countries’ young people, thus contributing to boosting ties between both peoples, he said.
Thang pledged to create the best possible conditions for the operation of the university in order to contribute to development in their respective countries.
US Secretary of State John Kerry thanked the municipal leaders for their support for the university, saying that the school is a smart investment for the two countries’ future generations.
He voiced hope that the university would make remarkable contributions to Vietnam and become an education centre for the future.
