Vietnam Aviation Academy Promotes Aviation Education Cooperation with Ireland

Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoai An, Director of Vietnam Aviation Academy, emphasized the special significance of the program as Vietnam and Ireland are approaching the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. According to him, over the past three decades, education has consistently served as one of the important bridges strengthening the friendship between the two countries, alongside cooperation in culture, trade, and development. Building on this foundation, Vietnam Aviation Academy hopes to expand a sustainable partnership with University of Limerick in order to create more opportunities for learning, research, and international exchange for lecturers and students in the aviation sector.

The Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam, Ms. Ní Fhallúin, described educational cooperation as a positive symbol of Vietnam–Ireland bilateral relations, especially at a time when both countries are prioritizing investment in knowledge and innovation to drive long-term development. She noted that Ireland had undergone a remarkable transformation from an agriculture-based nation into a modern economy with a global reputation for research, technology, and innovation, thanks to long-term strategic investment in higher education. According to the Ambassador, as Vietnam enters a new stage of development marked by rapid economic transformation, cross-border educational cooperation will play an increasingly important role in sharing experience and developing high-quality human resources.

Notably, while previous cooperation projects between Ireland and Vietnam mainly focused on agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy, aviation is now being recognized as a new strategic area of collaboration. This reflects both the strong growth potential of Vietnam’s aviation industry and the increasing demand for internationally qualified professionals in the sector.

Professor Finbarr Murphy, Executive Dean of Kemmy Business School, noted that Ireland and Vietnam share many similarities in their development philosophies, particularly in their emphasis on education and investment in human capital. He highlighted that Ireland is currently one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing hubs, managing approximately 60% of the global leased commercial aircraft fleet. This achievement, he explained, has been built through decades of strategic investment in legal expertise, financial capabilities, and aviation operations.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is emerging as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the Asia–Pacific region, creating an increasing demand for highly qualified professionals across the industry.

“In different ways, we are both aviation nations. And aviation nations always need each other,” Professor Murphy remarked.