Leeds Trinity University has launched a partnership to deliver an International Business degree at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF) in Vietnam.

Representatives from both institutions officially launched the partnership on Tuesday 24 September in a ceremony at UEF's campus in Ho Chi Minh City.

Professor Ray Lloyd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: "It is an honour to launch our international partnership with UEF; an impressive and inspiring University with similar values to our own. With continuous investment in staff, equipment and facilities, UEF continues to grow and develop, and we are proud to be working together to deliver our International Business programme."

Dr Loc Do, Vice-President at University of Economics and Finance, said: "24 September is a special day for UEF - not only is it the day that we launched our new programme with Leeds Trinity, but it also the 12-year anniversary of the University. We started collaborating with international partners two years ago and very quickly, we have gained trust from students, parents and the community. The evidence is the number of students enrolling in our UK programmes; a total of 400 students in two years. This success has motivated us to add programmes with Leeds Trinity University.

"At UEF, internationalisation is a key strategy for the development of our University. To translate our strategy into reality, we need good partners, and we are confident that Leeds Trinity is the right partner for this. We share the same goals, values and mission, and this collaboration will allow more Vietnamese students to access UK higher education."

40 students will study for the BA International Business degree at UEF this year. They will explore principles of business, marketing and accounting from a global perspective with many modules focused on business practice and culture across varied parts of the world.

Speaking at the ceremony, Neill James, Her Majesty's Deputy Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, said: "I am delighted to see the continued progression and development of UK programmes in Vietnam, and to welcome Leeds Trinity University to Vietnam for the first time.

"The UK is among the top five destinations for Vietnamese students studying overseas, with more than 8,000 Vietnamese students this year and annual increases of around 15% - but I understand that not everyone is able to travel to the UK to study their chosen UK university degree. Therefore, as Leeds Trinity increases their programmes overseas, we are able to deliver great degree programmes to our students, with high-quality teaching and support for students to secure graduate-level jobs in their field."

As the partnership between Leeds Trinity and UEF grows, it is hoped that students from each institution will have the opportunity to study abroad.

Professor Lloyd added: "Higher education thrives on international connectivity, collaboration and partnership, and as our two institutions continue to work together, I hope that students from both of our universities will have the opportunity to experience new cultures and a different way of learning to enhance their times at University."

The ceremony was attended by: Professor Ray Lloyd (Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University), Dr Nguyen Thanh Giang (President of UEF), Dr Loc Do (Vice-President of UEF), Mr Tran Phuoc Anh (Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs) and Mr Neill James (Deputy Consul of the UK in Ho Chi Minh City) together with academics and students from the International Business programme.