2025 Volume 34 Issue 1 Pages 51-66
This study aims to explore the characteristics of international joint universities (IJU) in Vietnam through comparative analysis of their governance systems, curriculum and research collaboration systems, bridging the two perspectives of comparative education and the practices of international higher education cooperation. The study focuses on Vietnam-Japan University and Vietnam-France University, which are international joint universities located in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and after positioning these IJUs in the context of the global trend of international cooperation in higer education and the development of higher education in Vietnam, the study conducts comparative analysis of (1) governance systems, (2) curriculum and research collaboration systems, (3) current admissions situations, and (4) characteristics of students in these two universities. In terms of methodology, the first author, who specializes in comparative education, and the second author, who is involved in the practical aspects of international higher education cooperation in JICA, have actively worked together to bring out the characteristics of IJUs in Vietnam and the ownership of the Vietnamese side in governance of the universities. In conclusion, the following points emerge from the study. In the relationship between the donor countries (France and Japan) and the recipient country (Vietnam) regarding the operation and development plan of IJUs, Vietnam is not necessarily in a subordinate position, but rather the Vietnamese side proactively demonstrates ownership in the commitment to IJU and is recognized for its “tactfulness” in eliciting cooperation or concessions from the donor countries.
