Within the framework of the Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) in Vietnam programme, from 28 November 2025 to 26 January 2026, the Mekong Institute – Can Tho University, in collaboration with Monash University (Australia), successfully implemented a series of four training blocks integrating academic learning with hands-on experiential activities.

The programme was implemented with the active participation and coordination of the following institutions:

• Mekong Institute – Can Tho University
  
  
• International Training Centre, Can Tho University
  
  
• Monash University, Australia

The overarching objective of the programme was to strengthen the partnership between Can Tho University and Monash University through training activities, academic exchange, and capacity-building initiatives, enabling students to directly engage with sustainable development challenges in the Mekong Delta (MD). The specific objectives of the programme included:

• Designing and delivering a blended academic and experiential learning programme for Monash University students;
  
  
• Organising field-based surveys and site visits focusing on livelihoods, local culture, and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta;
  
  
• Enhancing international students’ understanding of Vietnam’s natural conditions and socio-economic context.

Throughout the entire programme, approximately 419 students and 34 staff and faculty members from Monash University, together with lecturers and researchers from the Can Tho University, participated in the activities. The training cohorts followed a unified structure, comprising:

• Academic exchange sessions and thematic discussions on the natural, social, environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions of the Mekong Delta;
  
  
• Field visits and site surveys of flood-adaptation infrastructure and representative climate-resilient agricultural production models in the Mekong Delta;
  
  
• Community-based learning activities, including direct dialogue and exchanges with local cooperatives and households;
  
  
• Cultural exchange activities and exploration of indigenous knowledge systems in the Mekong Delta.

The programme focused on enabling students to engage with real-world challenges related to climate change, water governance, sustainable livelihoods, and innovation in climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, drawing directly from the experiences and perspectives of local communities. Through this approach, students developed interdisciplinary analytical thinking and the ability to apply academic knowledge to local contexts.

The successful implementation of the programme not only affirmed the organisational capacity, coordination capability, and academic credibility of the Mekong Institute – Can Tho University, but also laid a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between Can Tho University and Monash University in education, research, and academic exchange programmes in the next phase of the project.