site.btaFour-Year Education Agreement Signed with Vietnam

An agreement on cooperation in education between Bulgaria and Vietnam was signed in Hanoi between the two countries’ education ministers Galin Tsokov and Nguyen Kim Son, Tsokov’s ministry reported on Monday. The agreement was concluded during an official visit by a Bulgarian delegation to Vietnam, led by President Rumen Radev.

The signing took place in the presence of President Radev and his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong.

The agreement, which builds upon an earlier bilateral deal, will be implemented between 2025 and 2028. The two countries will exchange university students, postgraduates, doctoral candidates and educators. Each country will provide up to five scholarships annually for students to work towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree at state-run higher schools in the other country, which will involve studying the language of the host society. The same number of scholarships will be granted to doctoral candidates as well.

In the field of science, Bulgaria and Vietnam will implement joint research projects, exchange scientists and experts, and organize scientific seminars and conferences. Up to two scholarships are planned from each side annually for postgraduate courses or scientific research. Training will be provided in Bulgarian and Vietnamese language and culture, and summer schools will offer language, literature and culture programmes. Each country will receive up to two students from the other country for postgraduate language training for six months or a year.

The agreement is expected to help Bulgaria expand its sound presence in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific. Over the years, Bulgaria has received and trained more than 5,000 Vietnamese university-level students and over 40,000 postgraduates in various fields of study from that country, according to data provided by the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association.