The USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project hosted the third intensive Capacity Development Program (CDP) at Indiana University (IU) in the United States from May 8–12, 2023.

Twenty-seven Vietnamese university leaders, senior administrators, and faculty worked closely with seasoned IU experts to share knowledge about the reform of higher education institutions. The objective is to develop the knowledge base of university leadership in Vietnam to lead the transformation and modernization of their respective institutions.

This program gave participants an opportunity to consult and collaborate with senior leaders at IU who have themselves overseen decades of institutional change and innovation. The lessons of experience at IU provide examples and context for university leaders in Vietnam to reflect on major issues, discuss challenges, weigh options, and develop local solutions regarding the governance and management of modern public universities.

Such fresh insights will help university leaders to better strategize about how best to build administrative capacity, improve teaching practices, enhance student learning outcomes, elevate university research capacity to meet international standards, and help faculty to leverage their research for innovation.