August 24, Colombo (LNW): Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Nguyen Van Phuc, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. Saj Mendis, signed a renewed Education Cooperation Agreement for the period of 2024 to 2026. This agreement, initially established in 1999, continues to serve as a key framework for fostering collaboration in education and training, particularly benefiting Sri Lankan students, researchers, and academics. The signing took place at the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi, Vietnam.
During the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc highlighted the crucial role of education in the socio-economic development of any nation, regardless of its economic status. He pointed out that Vietnam’s strong educational foundation has played a vital role in the country’s economic success, including attracting over US$ 30 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and achieving exports exceeding US$ 360 billion annually.
Ambassador Mendis emphasized the impressive economic growth Vietnam has experienced, noting that its GDP per capita has surged from just US$ 90 in 1990 to approximately US$ 4,500 today—a 50-fold increase.
The Sri Lankan delegation at the signing included Minister Counselor Kethma Rajapaksa Yapa and officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Hanoi. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Director General Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh and senior officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
