RMIT co-launches Australia’s first-ever Australia Vietnam Policy Institute  

A hybrid launch event brought together senior representatives across government and industry to share insights and draw on their international expertise to explore the implementation of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.  

Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Grant Program, the AVPI is the first policy institute focused on Australia’s relationship with Vietnam. 

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alec Cameron said the University was proud to share the launch of the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) with founding partners Asialink at the University of Melbourne, the Asia Society Australia and the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue. 

“The AVPI will bring together leaders across industry, research, government and higher education who share a passion for strengthening the strategic and economic links between Australia and Vietnam.” 

“Together, we will bring focus to our bilateral relationship and strengthen our mutual understanding around opportunities for trade and investment, to benefit the economic development and sustainable futures of both countries.”  

Throughout 2020 and 2021, RMIT celebrated 20 years of operation in Vietnam. As the largest campus-based foreign university in Vietnam, the University has continued to support the region’s social and economic priorities and now has more than 10,500 students, 700 staff and 15,500 alumni. 

Opening remarks were delivered by the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Her Excellency Ms Robyn Mudie, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Nguyen Tat Thanh and RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alec Cameron. 

Aligning with the new Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, The Honourable Dan Tehan MP shared an overview of the importance of the Australia-Vietnam economic relationship and the role of initiatives such as the AVPI in strengthening bilateral ties. 

The AVPI will provide a platform for bilateral engagement, growing strategic policy discussions, partnerships and knowledge networks around opportunities for two-way trade and investment, collaboration and innovation between Australia and Vietnam.  

The Institute’s consortium approach brings together a powerful network of organisations in specialist fields to bring meaningful impact, and foster business and trade opportunities.  

Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Her Excellency Ms Robyn Mudie who was at RMIT's Ho Chi Minh City campus for the launch said the AVPI would foster new partnerships between Australia and Vietnam, providing opportunities to strengthen the relationship.    

“As the first policy institute focused on the Australia-Vietnam relationship, the AVPI will play an important role in strengthening the bilateral relationship through research and strategic dialogue. Its establishment will also support the goals to further mature the relationship and elevate it to the next level.” 

The AVPI exists as a virtual hub, acting as a one-stop shop for research and insights around the strategic and economic relationship between Australia and Vietnam. 

As part of its ongoing activities, the AVPI will host policy dialogue roundtables throughout 2022, activating discussion around key sectors vital to both countries’ economic development, including digital economy, cyber security, sustainability and gender equality.  

Find out more about the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute

General media enquiries: RMIT Communications, news@rmit.edu.au or +61 439 704 077.