1996

FLC was the oldest organization established in 9/1996. With the mission to promote English proficiency for the Southern Vietnam, FLC offered a variety of English courses, ranging from English for Kids, Communication English, Academic English to Exam Prep like TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT and GRE, etc. It also provided the training for many companies and corporations such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietsovpetro, Unilever and Eximbank, etc. Moreover, FLC was a reliable address for those who need consultations in study abroad.

1999

The Center for Human Resource Development (CHRD), the former Center for Continuing Education founded in 1999, was officially established in 2010 to conduct research and transfer knowledge for the sake of the community. It was here that many applicable research programs and beneficial short courses were done. Its prestige attracted the cooperation of famous experts and professors in the nation and beyond.

2001    

The Center for International Education (CIE) was established.

The American University Cooperation Program at graduate level (1+1) started.

In response to the internationalization of tertiary education and the needs for international standard training, in February 2001, the Center for International Education (CIE) was established by Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) in accordance with the Decision No. 38/QD/DHQG/TCCB. Its authorized function is to “administer international educational programs jointly developed by VNU-HCM and foreign partners” (CIE Statutes signed by VNU-HCM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Chi Dao on 8 June 2001).

The first program at CIE is the American University Cooperation Program (AUCP) at graduate level specializing in Business Administration. This is a 1+1 transfer program jointly conducted with the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL – Texas, USA), under which students will study at CIE for one year before transferring to UHCL to complete the MBA degree for another one year. Saving up to 75 percent on tuition as compared to costs in the USA, AUCP students will be able to follow the same curriculum of UHCL. Moreover, they will be taught by faculty members sent by UHCL or those who meet the requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, Texas). In the first batch, only 17 students enrolled.

In September 2001, subsequent to many discussions, VNU-HCM and La Trobe University (Australia) agreed to sign the Articulation Agreement on MBA program, under which the courses of AUCP are equivalently recognized by La Trobe, and students can be accepted by La Trobe upon their completion of the first stage at CIE. 

2002    

The American University Cooperation Program at undergraduate level (2+2) started.  

The partnership with universities in Oklahoma (USA) has been developed.

After one year implementing the 1+1 program with positive feedback from the students, CIE was authorized by VNU-HCM to conduct the 2+2 undergraduate program with UHCL. Offering two majors Business Administration and Computer Science, the 2+2 program enables the students to study in Vietnam for two years and transfer to UHCL’s bachelor program for another two years. Similar to the 1+1 program, the 2+2 meets all of UHCL’s requirements about curriculum, faculty and course assessment, etc. In its first year of implementation, the program attracted nearly 90 enrollments.

Since 2002, under the Memorandum of Understanding for Interinstitutional Articulation Agreements between VNU-HCM and Participating State System Institutions endorsed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the courses of the 2+2 program at CIE have been equivalently recognized by 12 public universities in Oklahoma. As such, the students, upon successfully completing the first stage in Vietnam, will be able to continue the Bachelor of Business Administration and Computer Science programs in Oklahoma.

2004    

The Australian Cooperation Program has been developed.   

In 2004, VNU-HCM established the Service Provision Agreement with La Trobe University, under which students will study at CIE for one year with the curriculum provided by La Trobe before transferring to Australia for the bachelor of Business Administration program. The establishment of this program has offered more opportunities for students to reach international education.

In addition, the two-level Developmental English Program (DEP) was developed by CIE in order to provide sufficient English proficiency for those who wish to pursue the undergraduate and graduate programs at CIE.  

2005    

Partnership with University of Missouri – St. Louis started.

In 2005, the partnership between VNU-HCM and universities in Missouri has started by the Articulation Agreement with University of Missouri – St. Louis so that AUCP undergraduate students can choose to transfer to the partner university after their first two years at CIE.

2006    

CIE Student Union was established.

Dedicated to create a friendly and supportive environment which helps students to develop specialized knowledge and living skills, CIE regularly organizes extracurricular activities such as camping trips, musical performances, sports contests, volunteer programs and theme clubs, etc. The establishment of the CIE Student Union in 2006 marked a new development of student activities at CIE, revealing its students’ proactivity and dynamism.

2007    

The 2+2 articulation program with Truman State University has been implemented.

Sharing the commitment towards an international standard education in order to contribute to the human resource development for society, in November 2007, the Articulation Agreement on the undergraduate programs of Business Administration and Computer Science was concluded between VNU-HCM and Truman State University (TSU – Missouri, USA). Under this agreement, AUCP undergraduate students, after completing the first two years at CIE, will be able to transfer to TSU to complete the bachelor’s degree.

2008   

CIE new campus was put into operation.

The English for Academic Purposes Program started.

CIE Labor Union was established.

CIE received the Certificate of Merit awarded by the Prime Minister.

The year 2008 witnessed strong growth of CIE. Firstly, the new downtown campus with a total area of more than 1,000 m2 was put into operation in order to provide a comfortable academic environment for students. The building contains well-equipped classrooms, computer rooms, self-study rooms and a library.

Moreover, CIE developed the existing DEP into the English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP). This four-level program is designed and taught by highly qualified instructors with updated curriculum and modern facilities, ensuring to provide students with good English language and study skills in order to succeed in joint training programs at CIE.

Aware of the importance of human factors for organizational development, CIE has a strong focus on creating a supportive environment for its staff. In December 2008, CIE Labor Union was established in accordance with the Decision No. 143/CĐ-ĐHQG promising the employees benefits and interesting care programs.

The year 2008 also marked a new development of the Australian Cooperation Program when VNU-HCM and La Trobe University agreed to launch its new version, under which students can follow the 2+2 AUCP at CIE and then are admitted by La Trobe for the bachelor program. Such an agreement not only offers flexible choice for students but also proves CIE’s good prestige with foreign universities.

With its tireless efforts since the inception and the whole-hearted support from VNU-HCM, CIE has achieved many positive results. In recognition of its excellent performance in the academic years 2005-2006 and 2007-2008, CIE was honorably granted the Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister (in accordance with the Decision No. 1769/QD-TTg dated 10 December 2008). 

2009    

The 3+1 and 1+2 programs have been developed.

The GMAT Prep Course started.

CIE Alumni Association was established.

In January 2009, on the basis of the existing 2+2 program and under the approval of VNU-HCM, CIE started to implement the 3+1 program specializing in Business Administration with UHCL. Through this program, students can study at CIE for 3 years, then transfer to UHCL for one year and receive the bachelor’s degree of UHCL with much lower costs. The establishment of such a training pathway has laid a good foundation for the involved parties to explore the possibility of a 4+0 program which will be conducted wholly in Vietnam.

In May 2009, the New Zealand Cooperation Program (1+2) in conjunction with AUT University (Auckland, New Zealand) has been developed. Specializing in Business Administration, the program offers another destination for students to transfer after the first stage at CIE.

In July 2009, the GMAT Prep Course was designed and offered at CIE in order to provide necessary skills and strategies for test takers. With a focus on skill practice and newly-updated curriculum, the course really meets the learners’ demands.

In November 2008, CIE Alumni Association was established to encourage affiliations between all alumni and CIE. Moreover, a variety of activities organized by the Association seek to create opportunities for enhancing the intellectual, spiritual and social relationships of its members. So far, there are hundreds of alumni registered for membership.

2010    

The second campus was put into operation.

New programs with University of Houston, TSU and AUT have been conducted.

The Student Exchange Agreement with University of Central Oklahoma was concluded.

The quality management system ISO 9001:2008 has been applied.

In order to accommodate the increasing number of enrollments, CIE has opened the second campus. Located in downtown, the 1,200 m2 area has well equipped classrooms, computer rooms, self-study rooms, a student common room, a library and a canteen. The modern facilities greatly support teaching and learning activities, contributing to enhance the image and prestige of CIE within the community.

The successful partnership of CIE and UHCL has laid a foundation for the cooperation between CIE and University of Houston (UH), another institution of the University of Houston System. In May 2010, both parties signed the Articulation Agreement on the bachelor program of Business Administration and Hotel and Restaurant Management, which allows AUCP students to transfer to the C.T. Bauer College of Business and the Conrad N. Hilton College of UH after their completion of courses at CIE.

At graduate level, in June 2010, the Articulation Agreement on Master of Business Administration was concluded by VNU-HCM / CIE and AUT University, offering students more options for their second stage abroad.  

In August 2010, the partnership of TSU and CIE was expanded by the Articulation Agreement on Master of Accounting program, under which students can choose to study at TSU after their completion of graduate courses at CIE.

In order to facilitate the two-way student mobility, in May 2010, VNU-HCM and University of Central Oklahoma reached an agreement on student exchange. This hopefully strengthens the friendship and mutual understanding of the two institutions.

Last but not least, in 2010, the quality management system ISO 9001:2008 has started to be applied at CIE in order to guarantee the effectiveness and efficiency of academic activities and management. In December 2010, CIE successfully passed the comprehensive assessment to receive the ISO certification from two international accreditation organizations UKAS (UK) and ANAB (US). 
In response to the global economic integration of the country, the Vietnamese education, especially the tertiary education, must improve its training quality so as to increase its competitive advantages in the region and beyond. VNU-HCM in general and CIE in particular are no exception. With ten years of achievements and a comprehensive development strategy, CIE is committed to developing itself into a leading provider of highly qualified human resources in the nation and reliable partner in the international educational community.

2012

Since May 2012, the International Education Institute has been established by the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City through the merger of its three centers: Foreign Language Center (FLC), Center for Human Resource Development (CHRD) and Center for International Education (CIE).

In order to meet the urgent need for qualified human resources to serve the socio-economic growth, the establishment of IEI through the merger of the mentioned centers is actually vital. This incorporation will enable us to take advantage of the common resources and the existing strengths so as to maximize its effective performance.

1. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: administering the undergraduate and graduate programs jointly developed by IEI and prestigious foreign universities.
2. English Education: providing English language training and study abroad services
3. Executive Education: offering tailor-made courses for companies and the local community
4. Research: conducting research programs in educational policy, economics, society and knowledge transfer