Australian Minister for Education Visits Hanoi Adelaide School, recognising the Vietnam–Australia Dual Qualifcation Education Model

As part of his official visit to Vietnam to strengthen the strategic partnership in education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, Australian Minister for Education, visited Hanoi Adelaide School (H.A.S) and engaged with its teachers and students. The visit acknowledged the Vietnamese–Australian dual high school diploma model and reflected the Australian Government’s strong interest in education quality and student learning experiences.

At H.A.S, the Minister learned more about the Vietnam–Australia dual qualification program, under which students complete the Vietnamese national curriculum regulated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) while simultaneously studying and being assessed under the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). Through this pathway, H.A.S students graduate with two internationally and nationally recognised high school qualifications.

As reported by Nhan Dan Newspaper, amid a very busy schedule of engagements with the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Education and Training, this visit to Hanoi Adelaide School, where students are studying the South Australian Certificate of Education, highlights Australia’s contribution and commitment to supporting Vietnam’s goal of making English a second language of instruction in schools.

(Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

In a dialogue with 150 students enrolled in the Vietnam–Australia dual qualification program at Hanoi Adelaide School, Minister Jason Clare emphasised the transformative power of education in shaping individual futures and making the world a better place. He also listened closely to the experiences shared by teachers delivering the SACE program and by students themselves, gaining insight into both the opportunities and challenges of teaching and learning within an international curriculum.

Dr Marisha McAuliffe, who teaches Research Project and Tourism Management under the SACE curriculum, shared that developing research skills at an early stage, as experienced by the students at H.A.S, provides Vietnamese students with a significant advantage. These skills prepare them well for university study anywhere in the world, particularly in a context where artificial intelligence may risk diminishing students’ independent thinking and research capabilities.

Sharing how the SACE program supported her transition to university, Nguyen Hien Anh, a 2024 H.A.S graduate currently studying at the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s and the world’s leading universities, reflected on her learning journey. From initial uncertainty and pressure in balancing two curricula, she gradually discovered meaningful connections between them, developed a genuine passion for learning, achieved strong academic results, and gained access to prestigious international university opportunities. She emphasised that SACE not only supported her academic success but also fostered confidence, independence and adaptability, and becoming a turning point that shaped both her character and future.

Students at Hanoi Adelaide School were delighted to meet the Australian Minister for Education. Student Tran Pham Phuong Vy presented the Minister with a painting she created under the academic year theme “Vietnam in my heart, the world in my mind,” capturing the school’s spirit of connecting Vietnam with the wider world. The entire visit was led by H.A.S students, from hosting and guiding tours to facilitating discussions, demonstrating their autonomy, independence and sense of responsibility. On this occasion, students who had shown the most significant progress during the academic year were recognised with certificates personally presented by the Minister. At the conclusion of the visit, Minister Jason Clare warmly posed for photos with students, reflecting the approachability and genuine care of a busy Minister who remains deeply committed to students.

Australia is currently one of Vietnam’s leading education partners, with thousands of Vietnamese students studying in Australia or enrolled in transnational, articulation and dual qualification programs. The growth of these models reflects increasing demand for internationally recognised, flexible and high-quality educational pathways.

The visit of the Australian Minister for Education to Hanoi Adelaide School was not only diplomatically significant, but also a strong endorsement of the quality, learning outcomes and international learning environment that H.A.S is building. In terms of English language education, the school has designed a carefully structured pathway to develop English as students’ strongest second language while ensuring the full development of Vietnamese language proficiency, in line with the Vietnamese Government’s educational direction. English is delivered through a CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach from Year 1 to Year 9. At the high school level, students may choose to continue learning English as a second language alongside IELTS preparation under the school’s Prime pathway, or use English as a medium of instruction (EMI) to study subjects such as Mathematics, Economics, Business, Tourism and Research within the Australian high school curriculum (SACE) under the Global stream.

Accompanying the Australian Minister for Education were Her Excellency Ms Gillian Bird, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Tony Cook, Secretary of the Australian Department of Education, Ms Freya Kaine, Australian Education and Research Counsellor to Vietnam; along with senior representatives from Australia and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. Hanoi Adelaide School is honoured to receive ongoing support and partnership from the Australian Department of Education and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Read more: Article from the Australian Embassy on the event

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Hanoi Adelaide School
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