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Vin University and the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada in Vietnam officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the establishment of a strategic partnership in the field of public health. This collaboration represents an important milestone in strengthening coordination in education, research, and knowledge exchange, with the shared objective of developing a high-quality public health workforce and enhancing national capacity in public health research and practice.
The signing ceremony brought together representatives from both organizations, including Dr. Behnoush Ahranjani, Nutrition Advisor & Evaluation Expert and Ms. Christine Cassar Eldridge, Project Manager from HealthBridge's headquarters in Canada; Dr. Nguyen Thi An, Country Director of HealthBridge Vietnam, together with HealthBridge program managers and project officers. Representing Vin University were Professor Michelle Hermiston, Dean and Chief Scientific Officer of the Center for Innovation in Health Sciences; MD, PhD Le Cu Linh, Executive Vice Dean; PhD Nguyen Thi Hoa Huyen, Director of Nursing Programs; Professor Andrew W. Taylor Robinson; and Professor Tam Truong Donnelly.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Behnoush shared that the partnership reflects a shared belief that sustainable improvements in public health can only be achieved when evidence, policy, and practice are closely interconnected. Through this MoU, HealthBridge and Vin University will bring together their strengths: HealthBridge's extensive field-based program implementation and policy engagement experience with Vin University's academic excellence and strong research capacity.
Under the MoU, the two parties will collaborate on a range of strategic activities aimed at strengthening public health education and research across priority thematic areas, including Livable Cities; Tobacco Control and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Maternal and Child Health and Rights; and Nutrition and Food Security. The partnership is built around three core pillars:
- Education and Training: Promoting academic and professional exchange between faculty, researchers, and practitioners from both organizations to learn from each other and improve public health.
- Scientific Research: Coordinating the design and implementation of joint research projects in the sphere of public health, with an emphasis on high-quality, policy-relevant, and evidence-based research.
- Collaboration and Knowledge Translation: Co-organizing and participating in national and international scientific conferences and seminars, and jointly conducting and publishing research.
Speaking at the event, Professor Michelle Hermiston highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership. She noted that the collaboration is expected to generate meaningful impacts in public health training and research, while also creating valuable opportunities to strengthen the professional capacity of personnel from both parties. Moreover, she emphasized that the partnership will contribute to translating academic research into practical, real-world health solutions, thereby supporting the advancement of public health care in Vietnam.
On behalf of HealthBridge Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Thi An emphasized that the signing of the MoU comes at a particularly timely moment, as the Government of Vietnam is intensifying efforts to strengthen the legal and policy framework for protecting public health. She highlighted key policy milestones, including Politburo Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW (2025) on breakthrough solutions to improve population health, the National Assembly Resolution No. 261/2025/QH15, introducing special mechanisms and policies to advance public health across the entire health system, and related regulations aimed at advancing universal health protection. These developments, she noted, underscore Vietnam’s strong political commitment to public health and the growing need for robust, evidence-based research to inform effective policymaking.
Dr. An further stressed HealthBridge’s role in the partnership as an “extending bridge” to connect Vin University with HealthBridges’ long-standing partners such as UN agencies, government ministries, research institutes, and other stakeholders. Through this role, HealthBridge will support the translation of evidence into policy and practice, integrate Vin University’s research into ongoing public health programs, uphold high research standards, and provide meaningful opportunities for Vin Uniniversity students to engage in applied research and programmatic activities.
The partnership between Vin University and the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada in Vietnam represents more than a formal strategic alliance. It reflects a shared long-term vision and a strong commitment to social responsibility in the health sector. Through this collaboration, Vin University reaffirms its dedication to integrating academic excellence with practical impact, contributing to the development of a high-quality public health workforce and the sustainable advancement of public health in Vietnam.
