January 26th, 2021, Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand Consulate-General presented the Global Competence Certificate (GCC) to 25 students from the IGC Group’s schools. 

Scholarship winners were selected based on their academic performance and English proficiency level, passion for researching global issues and exploring different cultures, and interest in participating in knowledge exchange and self-development activities.

This initiative is led by ENZ in cooperation with various partners in New Zealand and Vietnam, aiming at equipping young people with skills for the future while strengthening educational ties between the two countries, despite the distance and travel limitations caused by the pandemic.

Students from IGC Tay Ninh Primary - Middle - High School.

Accordingly, This unique program is designed as a four-week online course, including 18 self-learning online modules, in various formats such as quizzes, animated videos, assignments, interactive games, and 4 interactive discussion sessions between Vietnamese and New Zealand students instructed by facilitators from Massey University and supported by local teachers. Through this, 25 Vietnamese students and 26 New Zealand students from 5 Manawatū schools studied together and formed strong connections amidst the international travel restrictions.

Ms. Karlene Davis, the New Zealand Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ms. Karlene Davis, the New Zealand Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciated the project: “These 25 students are the first group of students in Viet Nam being awarded scholarships to join the GCC course with our students in New Zealand. Our New Zealand teachers and students have sincerely complimented them all and expressed their hope to meet them personally one day. When it is safe to travel internationally, I hope we can run this kind of skills-for-the-future programme on site with Vietnamese students visiting New Zealand and vice versa. We need global citizens so that we can tackle global issues of the 21st century, such as sustainability, globalization and climate change.”

There are truly wonderful and valuable experiences for all parties and also a testament to our creativity and great adaption to the new situation.

Ms. Karlene Davis, New Zealand’s Consul-General in Vietnam, Mr Dinh Hoang Trieu (COO, IGC Group) and Ms Banh Pham Ngoc Van (Director Country - ENZ) come on stage to present certificates and gifts to 25 IGC students.

Recently, IGC Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in academic exchange with six schools in Manawatu region (New Zealand), including: Awatapu College, Feilding High School, Freyberg High School, Palmerston North Boys' High School, Palmerston North Girls' High School and St. Peter’s College. Besides, the city of Palmerston North (New Zealand) and the Department of Education and Training (DOET) of Ho Chi Minh City are also in the process of discussing a partnership in the near future.

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Tran Ngoc Huong Thao, student from IGC Thai Binh Duong School (Bien Hoa, Dong Nai), one of the awarded students shared: “The program is very interesting, the homework was designed with reasonable timing, which does not cause pressure for the learners. Although it is the first time I joined an online class with the other students in New Zealand, I did not find any difficulties. Reversely, the interactive activities helped us to connect, and to learn how to respect and work together, despite the cultural difference.”