The Vietnam Students’ Association in Australia (SVAU) made its official debut on July 27 following the first congress held via an online platform due to the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The first congress of the Vietnam Students’ Association
in Australia is held via an online platform 

A total of 40 delegates participated in the event, all of whom are representatives for Vietnamese student associations across different states throughout Australia and the capital city of Canberra.

The congress saw Australian Ambassador to Australia Ngo Huong Nam affirm that Vietnamese students represent one of the most valuable assets in mutual relations between the two countries, playing a crucial role in promoting people-to-people exchanges.

The association is to strengthen connectivity among the Vietnamese student community within Australia, alongside enhancing linkages with business associations, clubs, overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, and Vietnamese alumni based in Australia, the Vietnamese diplomat told the meeting.

The diplomat affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia supports Vietnamese students in dealing with difficulties that may occur in the host country, as well as in future journeys.

The congress elected the Executive Board, Secretariat, and other key positions to the SVAU for the 2020 to 2022 term.

The SVAU’s Executive Board consists of 19 people, all of whom are representatives for students from eight states and territories of Australia. The SVAU has become the 11th Vietnam Students’ Association to be established abroad.

At present, over 31,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Australia, with 80% of them residing in the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria. Vietnam ranks fifth among countries that have large numbers of students studying in Australia.