VAS welcomes the 20th generation of students
The year 2024 represents the 20th anniversary of VAS's establishing, growth, and rise to the top in the number of students studying in Ho Chi Minh City.
From a small campus with 430 students in its very first year to approximately 8,000 students in its 20th year with 6 campuses, Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) has grown to become one of the leading bilingual international schools in Ho Chi Minh City. This accomplishment is built on three primary factors: quality products, core staff, and ahead educational philosophy that keeps up with society's ongoing changes.
High quality product with the sustainable development of the system
After 20 years of operation, VAS has researched, developed, and perfected three educational products to serve the different learning orientations and economic conditions of Vietnamese families of the middle and upper class, including the Cambridge English Programme (CEP) pathway, the Cambridge Academic Programme (CAP) pathway, and the Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI) pathway. In particular, CAPI is VAS's primary competitive product, with the Cambridge international education programme's teaching time being superior to other bilingual international schools, accounting for around 70% - 82% of total study time.
From an early age, the inter-level international training programme at VAS assists pupils in developing Cambridge-standard English and academic skills.
VAS has expanded its educational approach and provides cross-level training programmes from preschool to grade 12 in addition to providing three learning pathways from which students and parents can choose. As a result, students can enjoy a smooth and consistent learning experience throughout their 15 years of studying without having to switch schools at each level.
The variety, longevity, and quality of VAS products have attracted many parents, allowing VAS to reach a student growth rate of more than 1700% over two decades, from 430 students in 2004 to approximately 8,000 students in 2024.
The strong faculty of teachers and staff
VAS's strong team of foreign leaders with extensive expertise in managing, operating, and developing organizations, combined with a team of foreign teachers from the UK, USA, Australia etc. and highly specialized Vietnamese teachers who completely grasp the Vietnamese people's traditions and cultural values; is a vital aspect in helping VAS establish its brand in the international education industry. The diverse leadership and teaching staff have enabled many VAS students to learn and grow in a multicultural environment and acquire skills for the future.
Students develop the critical thinking skills of global citizens in a multicultural learning environment.
Regarding teaching abilities, VAS also contributes to improving the overall quality of education of Cambridge schools in the region by becoming a strategic partner of the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) to establish the Training and Professional Development Centre (PDQs) in Vietnam. Every year, PDQs organizes professional training courses for hundreds of teachers from VAS and other Cambridge schools in Vietnam and neighboring countries, so that teachers can improve their skills and obtain internationally recognized professional certifications in accordance with Cambridge standards.
Adapt and innovate in a changing social context
Mr. Gilles Mahe, CEO of XCL Education Group that owns VAS, shared: “At VAS, we teach students how to learn, so that they have the ability to self-study and adapt to all situations. 60% of today's students may work in jobs in the future that do not exist. And our mission is to help them prepare their thinking and skills for the job requirements of the new era.”
Mr. Gilles Mahe and Helly Tong discussed “Nurturing Resilience and Happiness” with students at the VAS Talks event for the 2023-2024 school year.
In addition, VAS continuously introduces improvements to the curriculum in order to keep up with social changes in addition to the highly practical subjects such as Global Perspectives, Science, Digital Literacy, Economics, Business, Music, and Arts from the Cambridge international education programme, as well as the Career counseling and University preparation programme, and wellbeing education programme.
Following 20 years of operation, VAS has developed into a place of origin for many generations of students who go on to become international and Vietnamese leaders in the Cambridge international exams, as well as scholarship "hunters" who win annual scholarships worth millions of dollars. Currently, a sizable group of VAS graduates are studying and employed in numerous fields across the globe, including IT, banking, business, medicine, entertainment, and aviation in Vietnam.
