Leading experts and professors from the US, Dubai, and Singapore collectively agree that the University Village model at Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long could drive the formation of a new knowledge hub for Vietnam. The inauguration day of the seven leading science and technology universities, accommodating over 30,000 students, is poised to mark a new chapter for the bay region's economy.

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui, a French scientist with years of experience in the US, expressed his admiration for Vingroup's investment in national education. He noted that in the US, technology corporations rarely allocate substantial funds to universities.

Professor Laurent El Ghaoui believes the University Village will create high-value jobs. Photo: Vingroup

Upon learning that Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long would establish a Global Knowledge Park with the University Village at its core, Professor El Ghaoui drew parallels to the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. RTP is a renowned inter-university research collaboration model in the US, formed to retain talent when North Carolina faced a significant "brain drain".

"The strategic planning of seven science and technology universities within the University Village, alongside 2 million square meters of office space, is a deliberate strategy to attract major technology corporations and investment funds," Professor Laurent El Ghaoui stated.

A perspective of the University Village at Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long. Photo: Vingroup

From a different perspective, the Principal of VinUni, who dedicated 26 years to Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and worked with numerous large technology corporations in the US, noted that no other super-urban area combines as many advantages as Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long. "It is situated next to a UNESCO-recognized natural heritage site, features a large-scale university cluster, and offers inter-regional connectivity via high-speed rail. This is a rare combination globally," he remarked.

The VinUni Principal shared that Singapore took two decades to develop the One-North science urban area. However, he is confident that Vingroup's proven vision and capabilities mean it will not require as much time to create a livable city beside the heritage bay, a place capable of attracting global academic talents for long-term settlement.

Having served as Deputy Principal and President of Curtin University's Dubai campus, Professor John Evans understands the rationale behind the UAE emirate's multi-billion dollar investment in education. Beginning in 2004, Dubai relocated public universities and colleges to Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). Rapidly, the area surrounding DIAC experienced significant population growth, leading to an exponential surge in demand for housing, educational services, and quality healthcare.

Unlike economies reliant on natural resources or tourism, Professor John Evans believes education has the power to drive fundamental transformations and elevate a region's standing. He perceives this same vision integrated into the University Village model at Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long.

"Initially, the university cluster itself will be a major employer, generating numerous jobs for faculty, researchers, experts, and support staff. In the long term, this area will consistently supply intellectual human resources to the local economy, thereby enhancing the quality of growth," Professor John Evans assessed.

Drawing from his observations in various countries, Professor Laurent El Ghaoui anticipates the University Village and Global Knowledge Park becoming a catalyst for Quang Ninh's economic transition over the next decade. He believes that over 30,000 students, alongside thousands of lecturers, experts, and researchers, will form a substantial intellectual community. This human resource pool can attract technology businesses, research centers, and high value-added economic sectors.

"Businesses will gravitate towards talent pools and integrated infrastructure. This could unlock new development avenues for the local economy," he analyzed.

Professor Tan Yap-Peng concurred, suggesting that Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long is initiating the third wave of economic development for the region. Following the agro-industrial and tourism economies, the knowledge economy is set to be Quang Ninh's next trajectory, an era where wealth is generated through intellectual capital rather than solely by machinery.

"In the future, Ha Long may be recognized not only as a tourist destination but also as a knowledge hub situated alongside one of the world's famous natural wonders. This unique combination creates distinct value," he remarked.

Hoang Dan