On the afternoon of March 21, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking  (HUB) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) engaged in a meeting to discuss and exchange ideas regarding potential future collaborations.

Attending the meeting from HUB were:

1. Prof. Nguyen Duc Trung, Rector of Ho Chi Minh University of Banking;
2. Prof. Hoang Thi Thanh Hang, Dean of the Department of Academic Affairs ;
3. Prof. Le Dinh Hac, Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Education;
4. Dr. Nguyen The Binh, Dean of Institute for Research Science and Banking Technology;
5. Dr. Le Hoang Anh, Head of Scientific Research;
6. Ms. Doan Thi Hong Minh - Vice Head of General Administration Office;
7. Dr. Luong Thi Thu Thuy - Provost of Saigon International School of Business;
8. Mr. Le Trung Nhan - Vice Provost of Saigon International School of Business;
9. Dr. Tran Hai Van - Vice Provost of Saigon International School of Business;
10.  Mr. Nguyen An Binh - Head of the International Collaboration Office.

Representing NUS were:

1. Prof Jessica Pan, Vice Provost (Graduate Education)
2. Prof Khuong Minh Vu, Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
3. Dr. Keshia Lai, Head of Policies and Operations (Masters’ Programmes and Lifelong Education)

During the meeting, HUB proposed that the two universities joint hand to develop potential collaborations, including but not limited to:

• Creating learning opportunities for students through the development of new training and cooperation methods;
• Exchanging possibilities for research and development cooperation in areas of common interest;
• Exchanging of scientific, academic, and technical information and academic materials, and opportunities for technology commercialization;
• Organizing and participating in joint academic and scientific activities, such as seminars and conferences.
• Offering opportunities of students’ scholarships at NUS, with the aid from the Ministry of Education and Training's 89 Project etc

Furthermore, the leadership teams of both universities deliberated on further cooperation to implement an integrated bachelor's-master's-doctoral degree program following the 3 + 1 + 4 model. Under this structure, students completing the first three years of the bachelor's program at HUB would spend 1 year at NUS post-graduation from HUB to receive a bachelor's degree from HUB and a Master by coursework from NUS.

Students with excellent academic performance at the bachelor's and master's levels who wish to pursue the Ph.D. program would be granted scholarships by NUS to study at NUS for the remaining 4 years of the program. The entire educational track from bachelor's to Ph.D. completion would span 8 years. This program offers talented Vietnamese students the opportunity for education and degrees conferred by two leading universities of Vietnam and Singapore, with shortened study periods and cost savings.

The meeting concluded with an invitation from HUB, expressing the desire to host delegations from NUS to visit the Thu Duc campus of HUB in person, to further exchange and discuss opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions.