Dai Nam University partners with Gokstad Academy (Norway), expanding international learning and career opportunities for students.

Norway is known as one of the countries with the highest quality of life and most developed education systems in the world. Nordic education places particular emphasis on practicality, independent thinking, self-learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It is also a developed economy with many strengths in technology, energy, maritime, and innovation.

From the beginning of 2027, students of Dai Nam University (DNU) will have the opportunity to access the Nordic education model right here in Vietnam through a collaboration with Gokstad Academy (Norway).

The programs are application-oriented, combining international and Vietnamese lecturers and experts; they are organized in person, online, or a combination; and they are taught in English, Vietnamese, or bilingually depending on the program.

Notably, the collaboration goes beyond simply bringing international programs or lecturers into the classroom. Through the network of approximately 30–40 Nordic businesses in Vietnam that Gokstad Academy is developing, Dai Nam University students have additional opportunities to access businesses, intern, experience a multicultural work environment, and expand their career prospects.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION MUST CREATE REAL VALUE FOR STUDENTS

In higher education, the effectiveness of international cooperation is not measured by the number of partners or agreements signed, but more importantly by what students gain from that cooperation.

This is also the perspective that Dai Nam University has adopted when developing a cooperative relationship with Gokstad Academy.

According to the agreement between the two parties, Gokstad Academy will participate in developing training content, connecting experts and the Nordic business network. Dai Nam University will cooperate in implementing the program, supporting facilities and providing practical information on the needs of learners as well as the Vietnamese education market.

Dr. Le Dac Son – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dai Nam University, stated: “We believe that international cooperation must create concrete value for learners. The important thing is not just that students study a program with an international name, but what knowledge, skills, experiences, and career opportunities they gain after completing the program. The cooperation with Gokstad Academy is also built on that spirit.”

One of the first initiatives the two parties plan to implement is a pilot program of short-term courses starting in early 2027. These courses will not only be for students of Dai Nam University but will also target various learner groups, including working professionals and learners from other educational institutions. Initially, three groups of courses will be studied to assess learner needs, program suitability, and the potential for expansion in subsequent phases.

1. Global Project Readiness - Enhancing global project implementation capabilities.

2. Global Sales Readiness - Enhancing global sales capabilities.

3. Multicultural Management Readiness - Enhancing multicultural management capabilities.

The model is expected to combine in-person and online learning, with the participation of Gokstad Academy instructors, Vietnamese instructors who have studied at Gokstad, and experts in each field. Depending on the program, teaching may be conducted in English, Vietnamese, or bilingually.

Therefore, learners not only acquire more knowledge but also have the opportunity to practice foreign languages, independent thinking, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to a multicultural environment.

In other words, it's not necessary to study abroad; learners can gradually access international educational methods and environments right here in Vietnam.

Mr. Simon Hansen Elvestad, President of Gokstad Academy, shared: “We aim to develop training programs that are closely aligned with the practical needs of learners and businesses. Collaborating with Dai Nam University provides Gokstad Academy with the opportunity to share Norwegian training experiences and build a bridge between Vietnamese students and Nordic businesses.”

FROM CLASSROOM TO BUSINESS AND INTERNATIONAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

A notable aspect of the collaboration between the two sides is that business and employment opportunities are placed alongside training.

Gokstad Academy is developing a network of approximately 30-40 Nordic businesses in Vietnam. This serves as a foundation for gradually connecting training programs with real-world workforce needs, while also expanding opportunities for internships, career experiences, and employment prospects for students.

When businesses become more deeply involved in the training process, students have the opportunity to understand what the labor market needs while still in university: what skills businesses require, what the international work environment demands, and what they themselves lack so they can proactively improve.

Instead of waiting until their final year to start thinking about careers, students can see their career paths earlier and prepare for them while still in university.

The collaboration between the Norwegian Embassy and Innovation Norway is also expected to contribute to expanding connections between schools, businesses, and organizations in both countries, creating additional resources for future cooperation activities.

In the long term, the cooperation between Dai Nam University and Gokstad Academy aims to build a bridge between Vietnamese education, Nordic education, and international businesses. Dai Nam University students will have more opportunities to access international programs, experts, and professional environments right in Vietnam; at the same time, it opens up possibilities for European students to study, experience, and interact in Vietnam.

BRINGING INTERNATIONALIZATION CLOSER TO EVERY STUDENT

From the pilot programs, both sides will evaluate the results, refine the model, and gradually expand its scale based on actual needs, training quality, student experience, and career connections.

For Dai Nam University, internationalization doesn't necessarily begin with sending students abroad. Internationalization can start right in the classroom – when students learn with international experts, access advanced training methods, use foreign languages in their studies, work in a multicultural environment, and connect with global businesses.

An international cooperation program is therefore only truly meaningful when those international values are translated into real competencies for learners and real opportunities for their future careers.

That is also the direction that Dai Nam University and Gokstad Academy are jointly building: bringing the world closer to Dai Nam students, while expanding the path for Dai Nam students to step out into the world.