This story is part of a series featuring NC’s activities while in Vietnam in August 2023
Niagara College was recently selected to support a reception event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Vietnam, in collaboration with Centennial College, Park Hyatt Saigon, and Saigontourist Hospitality College (STHC).
The August 21 reception was hosted by the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, along with Canada’s Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CanCham Vietnam).
Attracting local high ranking government officials, trade partners, business people, and local members of the diplomatic core, approximately 400-500 guests attended the standing reception, which took place in the Reunification Hall at the historic Independence Palace.
A group of students, faculty and staff from NC travelled to Vietnam to support the event to showcase NC’s expertise, while providing them with a rich cultural experience.
“We were honoured to be a partner in this dignitary event in Vietnam, creating opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to engage with the global community and contribute to meaningful dialogue and experiences,” shared NC President, Sean Kennedy. “Innovative initiatives such as this demonstrate Niagara College’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and to contribute to local and global societies.”
From NC’s International Division, staff in attendance included Director of Global Campus Operations, Compliance and Reporting, Orel Ruiz; Manager of Global Business Development for Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea, Eric Jin; and Global Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Madison Smith.
“NC’s participation in this event continues to demonstrate our commitment to be Canada’s leading global college, empowering students and staff with an unwavering passion to global excellence and citizenship that resonates on the international stage,” shared Ruiz. “I am proud that both students and staff had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Vietnamese hospitality, apply classroom learnings, and celebrate the strong diplomatic relationships between Canada and Vietnam, as well as the College’s rich history of partnerships with this beautiful country.”
Delicacies and beverages created and prepared by Canadians using traditional Canadian ingredients were highlighted during the event.
In collaboration with the Canadian Consulate, Centennial College lead Food Service and, known for its beverage innovation, NC was selected to lead Beverage Service. NC also led event execution and front of house service, working collaboratively with STHC, who provided additional servers trained by the NC team. Park Hyatt Saigon was the catering partner of choice for the event.
The event showcased various Canadian beverages, including a collaboration on the creation of a 50th Anniversary Signature Welcome Cocktail. NC wine, beer and spirits were also served alongside other beverages including wines from Niagara-based wineries Pillitteri Estates Winery and Two Sisters Vineyards. This was spearheaded by faculty and staff from the College including Peter Rod, Program Coordinator and Professor from the School of Wine, Beer and Spirits, Sarah Scott, Community Relations and Event Specialist, and Jin.
Exemplifying NC’s student-focused values, the event presented a world-ready and work-ready opportunity for NC students and staff with a unique audience of diplomatic delegates.
Through the Be World Ready’s work abroad experience, NC Hospitality-Hotel & Restaurant Operations students Alexandra Billeci and Mary Bastien, as well as NC Winery & Viticulture Technician students Elyssa Audrey Bristol and Nathan Brady, were involved in the planning of the event and travelled to Vietnam to assist with the event delivery. The experience was partially funded for the students by Global Skills Opportunity and NC Be World Ready.
“Be World Ready aims to provide our students with unique learning experiences that prepare them to be global citizens and leaders,” shared Associate Director of Cultural and Global Engagement, Maxine Semple. “This initiative allowed NC students to gain valuable skills and a global perspective and to network in their industry. Additionally, this work abroad experience offered students the ability to grow their global competencies and knowledge of international industry practices, enhancing their competitive edge in the global workforce.”
Long History of Partnerships in Vietnam
Niagara College has a long history of successful partnerships in Vietnam, welcoming students from the country as well as engaging in global projects.
Over the past five years, over 3,000 students originally from Vietnam studied at Niagara College, including 252 students in 2022.
As part of a five-year project that concluded in 2020, NC provided technical training to Vinh Long Community College (VLCC) through the Vietnamese Skills for Employment Project (VSEP), developing curriculum for a food technology program to overcome post-harvest production challenges.
Through the VSEP, NC also supported the implementation of the Training Centre for Advanced Management (TCAM) project and helped develop college rector and vice rector-level (president and vice president) training for the Vietnam college system. Engaging many NC experts across various sectors within the College, NC collaborated with TCAM to develop curriculum customized to Vietnam’s higher education sector and to provide advanced management training to participants from more than 150 colleges in Vietnam. The goal of the program was to strengthen Vietnamese capacity for TVET leadership and management at national and provincial levels.
