Welcoming back University of Highlands and Islands (Scotland) to expand joint aviation programs

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From June 17 to 18, 2026, the Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA) hosted a returning senior delegation from Scotland's UHI (Perth campus).

On the afternoon of June 17, 2026, VAA hosted a high-level reception and working session with a delegation from UHI Perth, Scotland. The meeting contributed to strengthening and deepening the strategic international partnership originally established between the two institutions in 2024. Attending the reception, from the VAA, were the senior leadership, academic councils, and representatives from the Faculty of Aviation Engineering. From UHI Perth, the attendees included: Ms. Jill Lillian Elder – Vice Principal; Ms. Heidi Scott Hope – Sector Manager for Science, Technology, and Aviation; and Ms. Lin Shen – Director of Partnerships and Engagement.

Opening the working session, the VAA leadership delivered a welcome speech in pride of their enduring journey since 2024 and affirmed that this  relationship serves as a solid foundation for internationalization strategy. The primary focus of this initial session was finalizing the comprehensive project proposal for the MBA Aviation program.

The discussion successfully aligned the operational frameworks and a final review of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to prepare. Designed for experienced industry professionals aiming for senior executive roles, this specialized curriculum emphasizes ethical leadership, future readiness, cultural awareness, and identifying growth opportunities under changing corporate environments. 

Representatives from the Vietnam Aviation Academy and the University of Highlands and Islands (Perth) taking a commemorative photo

On the morning of June 18, 2026, the collaborative sessions shifted focus toward undergraduate education, gathering at the E-LAB facility within VAA’s Faculty of Aviation Engineering at Campus 2. Here, the academic committees evaluated the structural feasibility of introducing a collaborative Aerospace Engineering pathway for undergraduate students. By mapping credit transfers and core laboratory competencies, the two institutions aim to provide Vietnamese engineering students with a direct route to globally recognized qualifications. This ensures future graduates enter the aviation job market with the precise, high-tech analytical skills required to manage complex international aerospace and airline maintenance networks.

UHI Perth delegation visits VAA Campus 2 during their strategic working session

To guarantee that these upcoming academic programs align perfectly with current industrial standards, the UHI Perth delegation, accompanied by VAA leadership, conducted an extensive field tour of the Vietnam Airlines Engineering Company (VAECO) facilities at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This site visit allowed both teas to directly observe Vietnam’s aircraft maintenance infrastructure, safety protocols, and hangar operations. Integrating these direct industrial realities into the course designs ensures cooperating tracks remain highly practical, data-driven, and thoroughly focused on modern operational challenges.

The working session concluded commitment to expanding training scale, tightening university-industry relationships, and promoting academic research, marking a memorable milestone for the next generation of global aviation managers and engineers.

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