Học Mãi Foundation

Patron

• The Honourable Dame Professor Marie Bashir AD CVO

Chair

• Professor Bruce Robinson

Council members

• Mr Alfred Attard
• Ms Audrey Blunden
• Mr Rick Cranna
• Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM
• Mr Ross Gavin
• Emeritus Professor Kerry Goulston AO (Deputy Chair)
• The Hon Craig Knowles
• Dr Ji Li
• Professor Michael Mann AM
• The Hon Jeannette McHugh
• Professor Jonathan Morris AM (University Officer)
• Mr Tom Moult
• Associate Professor Christopher Pokorny
• Mr Manoj Santiago (Treasurer)

Honorary council members

• H.E. Mr Ngo Huong Nam, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Australia
• H.E. Dr Trinh Duc Hai, Consul-General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Sydney

We provide an advanced training course for Vietnamese medical professionals, with sessions in medical education and research, medical English, SPSS and English for nurses. These sessions are taught by a group of Australian volunteers, who are medical specialists, nurses, hospital administrators, allied health, Vietnam veterans, and lay people.

We also bring advanced course cohorts to Sydney for an immersion program. The programs consist of two weeks of interactive seminars and one week of clinical placement in their chosen area of specialisation.

We have been conducting research capacity building programs in Vietnam since 2008, with participants from universities, hospitals and other health institutions. We have also provided some seed funding to help researchers implement their projects.

The six week clinical observer program provides Vietnamese clinicians with an opportunity to observe at a clinical set-up in one of the University of Sydney’s clinical schools. They are matched with Sydney-based clinicians in their area of expertise and observe the day-to-day clinical routines and activities.

Since 2005, we have prioritised work in Dien Bien Province, which is home to 21 ethnic minority groups characterised by poverty, low literacy, poor access to health services, and among the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in Vietnam.

After conducting an educational needs assessment in 2005, a multidisciplinary group from the University subsequently developed and delivered a tailored, interactive, skill-based, small group education programs to clinicians throughout Dien Bien Province. 

Through the Dien Bien Phu Project, we have provided educational opportunities not otherwise available for doctors and nurses in Vietnam, documented gains in knowledge and skills among course participants and increased use of evidence-based practices in Dien Bien Province.

We also promote the exchange of knowledge about radiation oncology. For example, we run a radiation therapy course with the assistance and close collaboration with HCMC Oncology Hospital. We also support a number of Australian radiation therapists to spend time at selected radiation oncology departments, with an emphasis on a technical skills exchange through sustainable approaches such as the 'train the trainer' methodology.

We are committed to internationalising our approaches to teaching and learning. One way we do this is by providing opportunities for students to develop their understanding of global health issues, through a student exchange program. The program allows students to gain new skills and expand their horizons by exposing them to new experiences. Scholarships are available for students to come from Vietnam to Australia, and from Australia to Vietnam.

Find out more